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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida seeks top financial regulator
Florida’s Cabinet is reopening the search for a new banking regulator, just months after dozens of people applied without anyone being picked. Former Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet opened applications last summer, after Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis forced out the previous commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WJXT.
Publisher's Column
Here comes Gov. DeSantis
Ron DeSantis has a tough act to follow as our new governor. I’m encouraged that he is already moving to the center, but there’s no doubt he’ll be on the conservative side of the ledger. In an exclusive interview right before Thanksgiving, DeSantis told Florida Trend that he was intent on diversifying Florida’s economy. Read Andy Corty's full column.
Related Florida Trend Exclusive
» Florida's New Governor, Ron DeSantis
Gov. DeSantis orders speed-up of money to clean Hurricane Michael's mess
Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the state Division of Emergency Management to speed up sending money to Panhandle communities being swamped financially by “massive” amounts of debris from Hurricane Michael. DeSantis said in addition to upfronting disaster relief money to local governments, he will push the White House to increase federal reimbursements for debris cleanup. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Meet Florida's newest strawberry variety, the 'Brilliance'
Members of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association gathered for their Strawberry Field Day to discuss the latest developments in their industry. This year, the hot topic was the Florida Brilliance. The Brilliance is the newest variety of strawberry developed by the University of Florida. More from Florida Trend and FOX 13.
Florida ranks as the most dangerous state for senior citizens
Bad news for senior citizens in the Sunshine State. While Florida has a reputation for being a beautiful retirement destination, new data from The Senior List found the state may actually be the riskiest place for senior citizens to live. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Rick Scott signs on to first bill as senator, to pay Coast Guard during shutdown
Sen. Rick Scott is co-sponsoring a bill that would exempt members of the U.S. Coast Guard during the ongoing government shut down as well as future budget battles. It’s the first bill Scott has co-sponsored since joining the Senate on Jan. 9.
› St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport sets fourth consecutive record with 2.2 million passengers in 2018
With 2,237,440 passengers in 2018, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport set a record for the fourth year in a row, officials said Wednesday. Passenger traffic grew 9 percent from 2017.Despite the annual gain, passenger counts in December were 9 percent lower than the same month the year before. Press release here.
› Jacksonville’s oldest gay bar set to close after 55 years
Duval County’s first gay bar, Bo’s Coral Reef, is closing its doors after 55 years. The owner of the Jacksonville Beach bar announced on Instagram Tuesday night that they are selling the bar and closing the doors for the final time next Tuesday, Jan. 22.
› Entertainment: Smashing stuff, ax throwing make adrenaline-filled entry into Central Florida
Following in the footsteps of adrenaline-based venues such as Machine Gun America, ax-throwing and smash rooms are the newest violence-themed, stress-relieving venues vying for customers’ dollars in Central Florida.
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