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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's changing population
Florida's growing by nearly 1,000 people a day -- about half of the newcomers are foreign-born immigrants and half are from other U.S. states. In the years to come, Florida won't grow quite as fast, but the state's population will approach 22 million by 2020. This week on FloridaTrend.com, we will look at factors and trends in the state's diverse population. Read today's full story here.
Also in this series:
» Foreign immigration in Florida: A by-the numbers look at annual migration flows 2010-14, including both documented and undocumented immigrants.
» Coming tomorrow: Relying on immigrants; unauthorized immigration; coming to America by hook or crook.
Halloween spending to scare up near record numbers this year
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association representing retailers for more than 80 years, announced today that consumer spending on Halloween is expected to be near record-highs with the average person spending more than $86, up slightly from last year. See analysis from the FRF here, (includes most popular costumes for kids, adult and pets).
After Michael’s fury, hardest-hit counties say changes in voting are needed
With no electricity or Internet, spotty cell service, damage to polling places, and election workers coping with damaged or destroyed homes, immediate changes are needed to ensure that the election is still carried out as smoothly as possible and on time, officials say. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Disney bets $20 million to ensure Florida isn’t the next Vegas
If approved, Amendment 3 of the Florida Constitution would require 60 percent state-wide support for any new casinos. That threshold would protect the local hegemony of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which operates gambling establishments under federal law allowing Native Americans to do so, and entertainment giant Walt Disney Co. Together, Disney and the Seminoles have given about $36 million to bolster the measure. [Source: Bloomberg]
See also:
» The Miami Dolphins seem to be quietly fighting for Florida gambling
» Quick poll: Do you support or oppose Amendment 3 - which would require a statewide referendum to build new casinos?
Florida’s timber industry could be affected by Hurricane Michael
The Florida timber industry could be affected by Hurricane Michael, both now and years down the road. Florida has more than 17 million acres of forests, and the vast majority of those timberlands are working forests. Florida also has more than 400 logging companies across the state that depend heavily on a good timber harvest. [Source: Dothan Eagle]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Strong sales predicted for 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show due to growing economy
Business indicators are positive for sales of both new and pre-owned boats at the 59th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show due to the strength of the U.S. economy. The show, coming up on Oct. 31-Nov. 4, is considered the largest in-water boat show in the world.
› Tampa Bay Cross-Bay Ferry returns Nov. 1 with lower prices and later voyages
The Cross-Bay Ferry returns Nov. 1 with lower ticket prices and later evening voyages between the downtowns in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The service will run Tuesday through Sunday with later hours so that passengers can have dinner across the bay.
› Port Manatee sets multiple cargo records
Port Manatee continues to set records for how much cargo it handles, with an all-time high of more than 9.3 million tons passing through it in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. That’s up 19.1 percent from last fiscal year and follows a 13.4 percent increase from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017.
› Jacksonville gets $2.8 million from United Arab Emirates
The A. Philip Randolph Career Academies got some international attention this week when the United Arab Emirate’s ambassador joined Mayor Lenny Curry for an event saluting the UAE’s gift of almost $2.8 million for programs aiding Jacksonville’s recovery from Hurricane Irma.
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