Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/2/2018

Cool Atlantic could mean a weaker hurricane season

Can you tell the difference between one degree Celsius? Hurricanes can. At least that’s what Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach is banking on. His team released its last hurricane forecast of the 2018 season on Thursday, and Klotzbach offered encouraging news for those who live in the path of Atlantic storms. More from the Tampa Bay Times and MLive.

One of Florida's largest CRE firms had IPO today

Stock in commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield rose as much as 7 percent in its trading debut on the NYSE today. The international company, based out of Chicago, raised $765 million in its initial public offering. Cushman & Wakefiled maintains 7 offices in Florida. More from Crain's Chicago Business.

Florida won't challenge ruling to allow early voting on college campuses

Secretary of State Ken Detzner has told a federal judge the state will comply with an order that struck down a policy barring early voting sites on college and university campuses. But elections supervisors in Alachua, Leon and Hillsborough counties say it’s too late to secure early voting sites before the Aug. 28 primaries. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Jeff Vinik’s innovation hub seeks community ideas to improve Tampa Bay’s startup culture

Jeff Vinik’s innovation hub-in-the-making introduced itself Wednesday with a new name, news about its future home and the roll-out of a community survey as it aims for a full launch in early 2019. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida algae crisis: Restaurants react to 'pungent smell' affecting business, appetites

The condition of the water is killing more than the fish — it's killing appetites and business for local restaurants. Some businesses along Fort Myers Beach have closed temporarily, with employees citing health-related problems and lack of customers. More from the Fort Myers News-Press.

Entertainment Business
Reality TV spotlight shines on Northeast Florida businesses

Market research says word-of-mouth advertising is best because it is effective and inexpensive. Area restaurants and bars featured on the Food Network, CNBC, Paramount Network and the Travel Channel generally, but not universally, say it was a good experience. In some cases, it saved the business and in others it spiked sales, both after the premiere and after reruns.

» More from the Jax Daily Record.

Out of the Box
A guide for Florida travelers in search of something different

The tale of Robert, a 3-foot-tall doll said to have been possessed by an evil spirit, is part of the eccentric history of a two story Victorian home in Key West. Robert the Doll is just one of the out-of-the-ordinary sights and experiences on offer in South Florida.