Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/13/2018

Florida uninsured rate increases, tops national average

More than 2.6 million people in Florida lacked health insurance at some point in 2017, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. That means about 12.9 percent of the state’s population last year was uninsured — up from 12.5 percent in 2016 — as Florida continued to be higher than the national average of 8.8 percent. More from the Gainesville Sun.

Soaring stock makes Darden Orlando's first $15 billion company

Orlando has its first $15 billion company. Darden Restaurants has given investors a lot of reasons to be happy during the past year as the Orlando-based owner of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse has turned into one of the strongest performers on the stock market. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida trade mission to Dominican Republic organizing

Enterprise Florida is organizing an export sales mission trip for small and mid-sized Florida businesses to the Dominican Republic from Nov. 13-16. The deadline to register is Sept. 21. With the largest economy in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic presents great trade opportunities for Florida companies. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Miami Beach set its own minimum wage. Now it’s being fought before state Supreme Court.

In a case being watched by business groups and local governments, the city of Miami Beach is asking the Florida Supreme Court to act quickly in a battle about the legality of a local minimum wage. More from the Miami Herald.

To lure small rocket companies, Space Florida plans to redevelop a historic launch pad

Space Florida is one step closer to wooing small rocket companies into coming to the Space Coast. On Tuesday, the state’s spaceport authority entered into a formal Right of Entry agreement with the United States Air Force for launch complex 20 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Sports Business
Who owns the term "Sacksonville"?

A forgettable former linebacker says he, and not the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the rightful owner of the term Sacksonville. Dan Skuta, who managed only one-and-a-half sacks over a two-year career with the NFL team, filed a notice of opposition against the Jaguars’ efforts to trademark the term.

» More from the Florida Times-Union.

Natural Resources
Red Tide: Is Florida seafood safe to eat?

The major red tide algae bloom along the Gulf Coast is certainly smelly, and at worst may have negative health effects in exposed humans. But what about locally-caught seafood? What’s safe to eat right now? With customers staying away from beachside resorts and restaurants en masse, diners may be equating the fish on their plates to the dead fish on shore.