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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Michael could take $2.7 billion bite out of Florida’s spending plans
After spending more than $1 billion in the almost five months since Hurricane Michael ripped through a large swath of Florida’s eastern Panhandle, state lawmakers say it’s clear that the cleanup, recovery and cost of one of the nation’s worst storms is far from complete. More from the Daily Commercial and Florida Watchdog.
Florida banks feeling the effects of U.S. sanctions on the Maduro regime
U.S. sanctions on the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela are affecting the financial system of Florida by forcing banks to spend much more time revising banking transactions with Venezuela to avoid hefty penalties. The issue of transactions with Venezuela will be one of the main topics of the 19th FIBA Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Conference to be held from March 11-13 in Miami. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida blueberry growers face competition from Mexico
The Florida blueberry industry started in the 1970s because IFAS developed a variety of blueberries called Southern high bush, which are productive in Florida’s mild climate and fruit at just the right time. Fast forward 40 years and Blueberries are the 8th most profitable winter crop in the state. [Source: WCJB]
Who's the richest? A look at 2019's top-ranking billionaires in Florida
Fifty-two of the world's richest people call Florida home, according to Forbes’ 2019 list of the billionaires. Thomas Peterffy, CEO of Interactive Brokers is the only Florida resident who breaks the top 100 in the 2019 ranking. The Palm Beach resident is No. 63 on the billionaires list. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sarasota-Bradenton to host Baseball World Cup
Sarasota and Bradenton will be the first U.S. cities to host the biennial Under 18 Baseball World Cup in 26 years, an event that tourism officials in Sarasota and Manatee counties said will bring visitors from within driving distance and all around the world to Southwest Florida during an otherwise slow season for tourism. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Serving victims of crime
Every day, Cierra Carter — a detective with the Fort Myers Police Department — works hard to help crime victims get the justice they deserve. Thanks to the Bright Futures Scholarship, she’s been able to achieve her dream of giving a voice to those in need. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay area investment firm shakes up leadership team, names co-CEOs
After 10 years of leading Seminole Financial Services, founder and CEO Bob Banks has stepped back from his role and will become chairman of the firm, which provides financing for renewable energy and multifamily housing projects across the country.
› AG Moody objects to utility ballot measure
Attorney General Ashley Moody is arguing that the Florida Supreme Court should block a proposed constitutional amendment that could revamp the state’s electric utility industry. Moody took a formal step of asking the Supreme Court to review the proposed ballot wording and contended that the measure would be misleading to voters.
› No more ‘fall back’? Rubio will seek permanent daylight saving time
A leading Florida lawmaker will make another push in Congress to change daylight saving time rules as most of the nation prepares to turn clocks one hour forward Sunday — losing sleep for more sunlit evenings. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will reintroduce the so-called Sunshine Protection Act this week.
› Company behind Florida migrant children camp stops IPO plans
The corporation behind a Florida detention camp for migrant children is abandoning its plans to go public as controversy grows around policies that lock up children crossing the Mexico border.
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