Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/27/2018

TaxWatch: Amendment 1 could force local governments to increase taxes

Research from Florida TaxWatch shows that if Amendment 1 - Homestead Exemption Benefits - passes, local governments are highly likely to increase taxes to make up for the loss in revenue. If passed, the amendment would create an additional homestead exemption that would apply to the portion of a home’s value between $100,000 to $125,000. This exemption would not affect school taxes; however, 43 percent of homesteads, 76 percent of all properties, and 71 percent of Florida families will not benefit from the exemption. Read the full report from Florida TaxWatch.

St. Augustine businesses brace for future flooding

If another major hurricane hits Northeast Florida, it could create a devastating impact for businesses and employees in St. Johns County. A report published in the St. Augustine Record found that if a Category 2 hurricane were to hit St. Johns County in the future, the storm surge could damage more than 1,000 businesses and impact 17,000 workers. More from WJXT.

International Game Fish Association selling its Dania headquarters

The International Game Fish Association is headed to different waters. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Dania Beach, has placed its nearly 60,000-square-foot building up for sale as part of its plan to downsize. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Jumbo Shrimp agree to extension with Jacksonville through 2033

Don’t expect the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to swim off any time soon. The Southern League club has agreed to a 10-year lease extension with the city that would keep the Jumbo Shrimp at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville through the 2033 season, the team announced Wednesday. More from the Florida Times-Union.

In Orlando's restaurant industry, drug and alcohol abuse is 'as common as ketchup'

Restaurant employees and managers say there is an epidemic of alcohol and drug abuse that is only getting worse, a problem rarely shared with those outside cramped kitchens and hot cook lines. Restaurant and hotel workers have the highest rate of substance abuse in the nation, and no area of the country has a higher percentage of restaurant workers than Central Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Business Profile
David Hyde Apparel

A Central Florida company is making clothes that hide sweat. You've heard the saying 'life is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration,' right? For two University of Central Florida grads, perspiration is 100% the inspiration behind 'David Hyde Apparel.' David Schwartzberg and Jacob Boyer are the brains behind 'David Hyde Apparel,' featuring a new sweat-proof, spill-proof dress shirt for men.

» More from WOFL.

Recreation
Bad news for anglers: Red tide causes snook and redfish restrictions to be extended

With no signs that red tide is easing its assault on Gulf of Mexico beaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday extended restrictions on snook and redfish to catch-and-release for another seven months. It also extended the fishing restrictions north to cover all of the Tampa Bay region.