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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida added 2.5 million residents in past 8 years
Almost 2.5 million people have moved to Florida since the beginning of the decade. Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show Florida had 21.3 million residents, as of last July. Almost all of the growth was driven by migration rather than births. More from the AP and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida marijuana ruling placed on hold, future uncertain
In a closely watched case, an appeals court this week agreed to put on hold a circuit judge’s ruling that said Florida lawmakers and the state Department of Health have violated a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. More from the Pensacola News Journal and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida’s minimum wage set to increase starting January 1
Florida residents will get to start the new year with a little more cash in their pockets. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that on January 1, 2019, the Sunshine State will be increasing the minimum wage by 21 cents per hour. [Source: WSVN]
Florida lawmakers could consider E-Verify requirement
Florida businesses would have to use a federal database to verify the immigration status of new employees, under proposals filed in the House and Senate for the 2019 legislative session. The proposals would require private and public employers and state contractors to enroll in E-Verify, an electronic federal database within the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. [Source: WTXL]
Dirty water and algae blooms bring threat of a lawsuit by environmentalists
Florida environmentalists on Wednesday threatened to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over plans to continue flushing dirty water from Lake Okeechobee — and blamed for fueling toxic algae blooms — for another seven years. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida Travel Guide
Now is the time to book your perfect meeting venue and take advantage of special rates and savings. This section features the Belleview Inn, Tampa International Airport, Saddlebrook, Streamsong, St. Pete/Clearwater. (Special advertising section) See the Florida Travel Guide.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orange County accepts funding grant for Kirkman Road that promises to create jobs, new developments
Orange County commissioners nudged forward a critical road project in the tourism corridor that will boost planned expansions by Universal Studios, Lockheed Martin Corp. and the Orange County Convention Center, voting to accept a partial-funding agreement with the state to extend Kirkman Road.
› Data could reveal another brain cancer cluster in Florida
A Florida community rattled by an increase in brain cancer rates is awaiting state data that could determine whether they're living in a cancer cluster. In St. Lucie County, about 80 miles north of Palm Beach, at least 12 people have been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, over the past three years.
› SeaWorld is building a new corporate headquarters
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment is moving its corporate headquarters within Orlando. The company recently celebrated a groundbreaking for the 40,725 square foot, three-story building at its theme park property. It is expected to be completed in fall 2019.
› Brazil visitors to Miami by air growing again after dip
More than 6% additional air passengers have flown from Brazil to Miami this year, expanding our influx from our visitor industry’s one-time leading source of guests and tourist spending. Total passengers flying to Miami International Airport from Brazil rose from about 750,000 last year to 800,000.
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