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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Hurricane Michael by the numbers: Homes, businesses, cotton, oysters wiped out
Hurricane Michael, which pummeled 10 Panhandle counties and spurred evacuation orders for 375,000 Floridians in October, left nearly seven times the debris of Hurricane Irma, which barreled across 45 counties in 2017. That was one of the many astounding numbers heard by Florida lawmakers this week assessing the storm to determine what the state can do and how much of a request will be made to the federal government. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and Florida Watchdog.
Gov. Ron DeSantis takes office, vows to protect environment, stop 'judicial activism'
Florida's 40-year-old new governor was sworn in Tuesday at high noon, when he immediately played down the role government plays in the lives of Florida residents. "Government’s role is not to run our lives for us but to provide what Lincoln called an “open field and fair chance for one’s industry, enterprise and intelligence,” DeSantis said in a ringing endorsement of laissez faire governance. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.
See also:
» Nikki Fried gives Florida Democrats a reason to throw an inaugural party of their own
» DeSantis kicks off Inauguration Day with prayer breakfast
Gainesville man’s booking site links captains, anglers
Gainesville resident Andrew Smith got the idea for his charter fishing booking website CharterHook after seeing a billboard. “The billboard had a picture of a red snapper with a number listed underneath,” said Smith, a software engineer at SharpSpring. The site of the billboard, as odd as it was, came as a relief, Smith said. He was in Fairhope, Alabama and had been searching for a charter fisherman. To that point, he’d had zero luck. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Orlando International Airport traffic increased by 10%
For the first time, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has recorded over 47 million annual passengers during a rolling 12-month period ending in November 2018. “This is a significant milestone in Orlando International Airport’s history because it shows the sustained strength of the Central Florida economy,” says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Read the full announcement here.
AutoNation drives in new direction with headquarters restructuring
Eyeing a potentially declining market for cars and truck sales this year, AutoNation announced a restructuring and cost-savings to “improve efficiency and profitability.” Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation, the nation’s largest auto retailer, said it plans to reduce costs by about $50 million as it realigns its operating structure. See the announcement here and read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
| Trend Mention |
 2019 Celebration of ReadingJoin the Barbara Bush Foundation for the Florida Celebration of Reading – Miami on February 7, 2019, aboard SeaFair. Featuring appearances from bestselling authors Dave Barry, Brad Meltzer, and Susan Page, the event will honor the legacy of Barbara Bush and kick off a year-long celebration of the Foundation’s 30th anniversary. Funds raised will support the Foundation’s literacy initiatives nationwide, which include 80 programs throughout the state of Florida. More here. [Sponsored] |
Legal Trends
Get ready for tougher amendments to Florida Bar rules
The Florida Supreme Court weighed in on proposed changes to the Ruled Regulating the Florida Bar, translating its concern about legal professionalism and ethics into tougher amendments.
» More from the Daily Business Review.
Profile
Kristin Kutac Ward
Fresh out of college, Kristin Kutac Ward sought a career in hospitality, maybe at a resort. After quickly realizing it wasn’t fulfilling, she switched to senior living, where she found a passion working with the elderly and their families. She co-founded her own company, Solutions Advisors Group, in 2009.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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