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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's open for business, tourism agency says
Visit Florida is moving forward with a $9 million marketing plan to combat media reports and negative public perceptions about how much of the state remains in ruins from Hurricane Michael. The taxpayer-funded tourism agency’s executive committee voted Friday to support a plan that includes highlighting what has reopened in areas hit by the deadly Oct. 10 storm. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.
Florida’s film struggles and successes post-tax incentives
At the start of the decade, Florida’s film industry seemed like such a success story that it could be headed for the silver screen itself. Now, filmmakers and film commissioners are still working to bring productions to Florida, and some politicians hope to revive a state film program — with the results of November’s elections being an important factor. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The political stakes get higher as early voting begins in Florida
The stakes in Florida's closely-watched midterm election will intensify starting Monday as the state's largest counties provide up to 14 straight days of early voting. In a year in which voter turnout is a key to victory, nearly 1 million people have already voted by mail and 31 of 67 counties will add early voting, in which people can vote at any site in their home county. [Source: Times/Herald]
Florida governor’s race becomes a national affair
The race for Florida governor has been an unusually nationalized affair, with President Donald Trump playing a crucial role in Ron DeSantis’ Republican nomination while Bernie Sanders was instrumental in Andrew Gillum’s Democratic primary win and Hillary Clinton will campaign for him later this month. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
See also:
» Watch the full hour-long debate here
» DeSantis, Gillum CNN debate marks first meeting, harsh scuffle for Florida governor candidates
» Florida governor: Andrew Gillum’s long campaign brings him to the doorstep of history
» Florida governor candidate Ron DeSantis carved aggressive path from Dunedin to D.C.
In Hurricane Michael's wake, Florida panhandle faces steep path back to normal
More than a week after Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida panhandle, cities and towns are facing the daunting task of trying to rebuild. The recovery is hampered by catastrophic damage not only to homes and businesses, but to vital infrastructure as well. More from NPR and the Times/Herald.
See also:
» Hurricane Michael unearthed 19th century shipwrecks in Florida
» Mayor wonders about small town’s ability to survive Michael
JM Family Enterprises, Inc.: History, legacy and future
When Jim Moran first met executives from a little-known import auto maker Toyota in 1968, he already was a highly successful car dealer. Back in his early days in Chicago, he pioneered the use of a brand new advertising medium — television — to become one of the nation's largest car dealers. His innovations even had earned Moran a cover of TIME magazine. Story here. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Young biz owners show their spark at Naples Children's Business Fair
Just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing. There was no place that was more evident Saturday than at the Naples Children’s Business Fair at Gulf Coast High School northeast of the city.
› Tampa’s Oxford Exchange one of nation’s 50 'most beautiful independent stores'
Architectural Digest has named Tampa’s Oxford Exchange as Florida’s most beautiful independent store — and one of the 50 most beautiful in the nation.
› Endangered wildlife get help from 2 Florida research groups
A group dedicated to preserving rare species is partnering with a South Florida university to help save critically endangered wildlife. The Palm Beach Post reports the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation has partnered with Florida International University in an effort to save the world’s most critically endangered wildlife.
› UCF, Siemens partner to research how to make homes more energy efficient through smart tech
The University of Central Florida has partnered with an energy giant to establish a research lab devoted to helping people discover ways that they can make buildings more efficient through the use of smart technologies. Also see the full news release from Siemens and UCF, here.
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