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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
4 ways you didn’t know the government shutdown is affecting Florida
The federal government bureaucracy touches almost everything, from veteran homelessness to academic research. Many people close to the problem say the shutdown does not yet pose an existential crisis for their business, but it’s only a matter of time before the situation could become dire. Here are four surprising ways the shutdown is affecting the state. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Kennedy Space Center workers say government shutdown is 'holding the employees hostage'
» Government shutdown: 2 Lake County towns offer federal employees break on water bills
» Small Central Florida business feel effect of government shutdown
» Government shutdown could force Tampa Bay area nonprofit agencies to close their doors
» Florida's federal government employees say they need shutdown to end
Study: Florida smokers spend $1.7 million in a lifetime
A new study from WalletHub finds smokers in the state of Florida spend $1,724,214 in their lifetime, enough to buy a big home and a few cars. The study also breaks down the cost per year with Florida smokers coming in at $33,808 annually. Florida ranks number 21 on the list of all 50 states and D.C. in terms of cost. [Source: WDBO]
Florida considers auto insurance database to catch uninsured drivers
If the proposal becomes law, insurance companies would be required to upload weekly status reports for all of their customers, and police would be required to query the insurance status of drivers involved in traffic stops or crash investigations. Drivers would still be required to carry proof of insurance. More from the Post Bulletin and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Marco Rubio will lead Senate’s small business committee
Florida’s senior U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has been elected chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee for the 116th Congress. Rubio, whose campaigns and agenda have long emphasized the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurship to the American Dream, succeeds U.S. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, who last week was named the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.[Source: Florida Politics]
Miami prepares for Super Bowl, Democratic National Convention
The Miami area is hoping to host two major events in 2020: The Super Bowl and the Democratic National Convention. One’s a lock and one’s a maybe at this stage. Leaders in the City of Miami are preparing for the events, with promises of local cash support and plans to work with all-important host committees. [Source: Miami Today]
University of Miami Health: Delivering world-class cardiovascular care
Heart disease is the leading cause of death of men and women worldwide. At the Cardiovascular Program at UHealth - the University of Miami Health System, renowned physician scientists are combatting this epidemic with a combination of world-class care and innovative treatments found nowhere else in the world. [Sponsored report]
| 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] |
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Great Wolf Lodge resort with indoor water park may come to South Florida
Great Wolf Lodge, a nationally known chain of indoor water park resorts, is considering opening its first spot in Florida — and one of the possibilities is Pompano Beach.
› 8 Florida cases to watch in 2019
At the top of 2019, which Florida cases have lawyers checking dockets with baited breath? Here’s a look at eight cases that have gripped local litigators.
› Publix releasing series of YouTube cooking classes
Publix Super Markets will debut the first in a series of online cooking classes through YouTube Jan. 12, starting with one of its staple products, the oven-roasted chicken. Lakeland-based Publix announced the new program Wednesday and will release videos monthly through at least March.
› It has a lagoon and a Costco. This mini-city could be a ‘game-changer’ for North Miami
One of the most ambitious — and oft-delayed — real estate developments in recent Miami-Dade County history is finally open for business. Solé Mia, the massive 184-acre mini-city headquartered at 15055 Biscayne Blvd., begins leasing its first two apartment buildings on Jan. 14.
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