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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
After six years of stalemate, property insurance reform heads to governor
A bill aimed at stemming costly lawsuits between repair contractors and property insurers has finally passed both the Florida House and Senate after six years of stalemate and steep rate increases for homeowners. The bill passed the Senate 25-14 on Wednesday and now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said he plans to sign it. Only time will tell if the changes, slated to take effect July 1, will roll back rate hikes that insurers have blamed on abuses by contractors and plaintiffs’ attorneys. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Insurance Journal and the AP.
New Southwest Florida incubator opens, with focus on startup leaders
SecondMuse, a global collaboration agency, has launched a community-sourced incubator in Fort Myers alongside the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and in partnership with the City of Fort Myers. Based in the new Collaboratory next to the Dunbar community, SecondMuse’s incubator will focus on developing businesses leaders, according to a statement. More from the Business Observer.
Tupperware suffers again in first quarter with 10% drop in sales
Tupperware Brands reported Wednesday another challenging quarter to start the year with a 10 percent drop in sales. Sales at the Kissimmee-based direct seller of home and beauty goods fell to $487.3 million during the first three months of 2019, compared with $542.6 million during the same period the year before. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Commercial trucks are banned from Ybor, but continue to drive through the historic district anyway
Commercial trucks, which have been banned since December 2016 from driving through historic Ybor City, continue to travel those roads and endanger the district anyway. Longtime Ybor resident Fran Costantino said, the city "won't be satisfied until a tanker blows up in the middle of our historic district and our beloved Ybor." More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida ports in line to receive part of $92 million in funding from Department of Transportation
Fifteen of the busiest ports, three of which are located in Florida, will soon receive $92 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center. "I say the chances of Florida getting some of this money is pretty good," Chao said to a packed audience of Air Force personnel. More from Florida Today.
What's in a Name?
Florida Avenue Brewing sued a restaurant for using ‘Florida Avenue.’ Can they do that?
The small business community in Seminole Heights is known as a tight-knit and supportive environment for entrepreneurs. At Brew Bus, for example, a whimsical map labeled “We love the Heights” promotes neighboring shops. A sticker represents the adorably hip Spaddy’s Coffee Co. trailer, which operates a mile down Florida Avenue. Meanwhile, Brew Bus has been suing Spaddy’s owner.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
"Operation Alligator Thief" revisited
In 2017, a multiyear Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission investigation into egg poaching exposed alligator farm turf wars over the coveted eggs that feed the hide fashion industry. State undercover operatives opened an alligator farm in DeSoto County to hunt down poachers and wildlife law violators roiling an aquaculture industry dependent on annually re-stocking its pens from eggs.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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