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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
What could trigger a recession and how would Florida affect it?
If there’s another recession, a Florida housing bubble won’t be at fault, experts agreed at a Wednesday event on the economy and real estate. It would more likely be a confluence of factors that would slow the economy, experts said. Florida is in a better position than it was at the start of the last recession in 2007. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Alzheimer's research and blue-green algae
Florida’s continuing struggles with blooms of blue-green algae have raised anew questions about the effect of the pond scum and its cyanobacteria on long-term health. One outlier idea is that a toxin associated with cyanobacteria causes, or at least contributes, to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Read more here.
Florida’s 2018 youth vote swells over previous midterm
Newly released data reveals that young Florida voters did hit the polls at a significantly higher rate — 15 percentage points more — compared with the previous midterm election. About 37 percent of the state’s 18- to 29-year-olds voted in November, compared with 22 percent who voted in 2014. That’s especially notable for midterm elections when turnout is typically low. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]
Florida has settled with Dollar/Thrifty over misleading rental car fees. Here’s how to file a claim.
Florida’s Attorney General has settled her office’s lawsuit against the Dollar and Thrifty rental car companies over misleading toll fees, requiring the companies refund customers and better disclose its fees. The allegations against Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, the companies' parent group, revolved around how they charged their rental car customers who passed through cashless tolls. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Medicaid changes come under fire
Florida has put in place sweeping changes to its main health-care safety net program over the last several months, but legislators on Tuesday received an earful about ongoing problems with the $28 billion Medicaid program. Some of the changes include new five-year Medicaid contracts with managed-care plans, as well as changes in payments to behavioral analysis providers who treat children with autism. [Source: WPEC]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Justices reject appeal in slot machine dispute
The Florida Supreme Court has declined to take up a dispute about the legality of certain electronic games played in bars and other establishments. Justices, as is common, did not explain their reasons Tuesday for the decision, which effectively let stand a ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal in favor of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
› Florida Aquarium opens $4.1 million turtle rehab center at growing Apollo Beach campus
Downtown Tampa's Florida Aquarium has big plans for its 20-acre Apollo Beach campus. On Wednesday, the aquarium took a step toward making them happen when it unveiled a new two-story, 19,000-square-foot Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.
› Port Canaveral officials approve pursuing $46.5 million of work to refurb Disney Cruise Line terminals
The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved pursuing contracts for firms to work on both Terminal 8, where Disney currently sails out of, but also adjacent Terminal 10, which would be able to support more Disney ships when the line’s new Trident class debuts in 2021.
› Florida lottery to roll out new game
The Florida Lottery is launching launch the new draw game JACKPOT TRIPLE PLAY with ComboTM on Jan. 30. The game will replace LUCKY MONEY™, which ends Jan. 29. Jackpots start at $500,000 and can roll over to reach $2 million before rolling down to increase the lower-prize levels in each drawing until the jackpot is won.
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