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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Races for Senate and governor in Florida hurtle toward frenzied finish
Amid nonstop TV ads and high-profile campaign rallies, Florida’s nationally-watched races for governor and U.S. Senate hurtle toward a frenzied finish with the fate of the state’s long dominance by Republicans and even the Trump presidency potentially hinged on Tuesday’s outcome. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.
See also:
» In Florida homestretch, it’s Trump vs. Jimmy Buffett
» Florida early voting comes to an end Sunday
» In Florida, a bitter and personal clash for US Senate
» In Close Florida Governor’s Race, Candidates Keep Sights on Their Bases
» Florida Democrats and Republicans nearly even in ballots cast as early voting wraps up
Grant great for Florida's grapefruit growers
Florida’s grapefruit industry, which has been devastated by citrus greening disease in recent years, may find hope in four half-acre white-mesh screenhouses in a research field in Fort Pierce. The screens are the result of a US $3.5m grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded to the University of Florida. Read the full press release here and see more at Fruitnet.
Spice and cell phones: Florida’s prisons see new wave of contraband
Cellphones along with the synthetic marijuana, known as spice or K2, present new challenges for prison officials who already struggle to deal with makeshift weapons, drugs, prison gangs and corrupt staff. People who have done time attest to the prison adage that anything you want, it’s there. The numbers bear them out. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Booming hospitality industry creates more than minimum-wage opportunities
According to the latest release from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the leisure and hospitality industry has seen a 9-percent increase in new jobs from September 2017 to September 2018 in the state, a total of 105,000 jobs. While many deride the growth of the industry as being full of entry-level, low-paying positions, some of the professionals here say it’s actually full of opportunity. [Source: St. Augustine Record]
Is Miami still in the running for Amazon’s HQ2? Depends on whom you ask
According to oddsmaker Bovada, Miami remains the longest shot among the 20 finalist cities for Amazon’s massive HQ2 project, which promises to bring 50,000 jobs and billions in investment to one lucky metro. [Source: Miami Herald]
Pioneering women provide leadership statewide
Cole, Scott & Kissane has built its legacy on diversity and gender inclusion at the firm’s highest levels. CSK is proud to have within our leadership ranks Managing Partners Julie Clark Ireland and Jami Gursky. Both have been instrumental in the firm’s growth and direction while providing unparalleled client service. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Theatre to host financial technology competition
Selected start-up companies in the financial technology space are to vie for cash and visibility at a competition set for Feb. 6-7 at downtown Jacksonville’s Florida Theatre. The event being called the Global FinTech Innovation Challenge is the work of Global Accelerated Ventures of Miami, which said Jacksonville-based Fidelity National Information Services Inc., known as FIS, will serve as title sponsor.
› Boca entrepreneur launches publicly traded cannabis firm
Running a publicly traded cannabis company has taught Palm Beach County entrepreneur Adam Berk a thing or two about flexibility — and about cross-country flights. Berk, 41, is the president and chief executive of Stem Holdings. While the company is headquartered near the CEO’s home west of Boca Raton, it does business primarily in Oregon.
› Jacksonville business ships 45,000 pounds of donations to Puerto Rico
Aqua Gulf Express has collected enough materials to ship about 45,000 pounds of donations to hurricane-impacted areas of Puerto Rico. This will be the 16th ship they have packed for relief efforts to the area.
› As more shops open in St. Pete’s booming downtown, should Chamber of Commerce find a new home?
Could the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce do more to help the retail scene? Some think it could — by moving. The chamber sits in what has become a prime downtown location, two blocks from the waterfront and directly across from the Sundial entertainment and dining complex.
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