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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Tourism leaders say shutdown of 'Visit Florida' would hurt economy
Funding for the state agency is set to expire Oct. 1. Earlier in the legislative session, senators passed a bill that extended that date and put $50 million in its budget. However, House leaders have so far ignored that bill and many are skeptical about using tax dollars to support the tourism industry. But tourism leaders say they need Visit Florida's help. More from WFTS and the AP.
See also:
» Visit Tampa Bay would take $1 million hit if state kills off Visit Florida
California learns from Florida in wildfire evacuations
To speed up evacuations, Florida transportation officials in January 2018 advised opening emergency shoulders to highway traffic, adding more lanes and emergency roadside services to major evacuation routes, adjusting traffic signals, and adding more cameras and message signs to alert drivers to problems. Many California communities have similar plans, but rural and remote towns with fewer resources and roads face special challenges. [Source: AP]
USDA revises Florida citrus requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a final rule that revises marketing order grade and size requirements for Florida citrus. The regulation, effective May 20, removes grade and size requirements for ambersweet and temple oranges, and simplifies the tables outlining the grade and size requirements for interstate and export shipments, according to the USDA. [Source: The Packer]
Florida now drawing more from overseas than across state lines
Florida’s population growth has shifted over the past couple of years and now the Sunshine State attracts more new residents from Puerto Rico and from foreign countries than it does from the other 49 states combined, according to new estimates released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau. [Source: Florida Politics]
Scientists track Florida’s vanishing barrier reef
Around the world, warming oceans are killing coral. In Florida, heat-induced bleaching is just the latest in a millennialong series of insults, which have brought the reef 's growth to a standstill and left it vulnerable to erosion and rising seas. As a result, the barrier reef—the third longest in the world—is not simply dying. It appears to be vanishing. [Source: Science Magazine]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Melbourne Air & Space Show faces uncertain future
The future of promoter Bryan Lilley's popular Melbourne Air & Space Show is up in the air. Last month, the annual air show moved from its usual site at the north side of Orlando Melbourne International Airport to the south side off NASA Boulevard, near the passenger terminal. Why? Corporate expansion by Embraer and other airport tenants — a guard booth and security gates now limit access to General Aviation Drive.
› Jacksonville's maritime industry closely watching Jones Act debate
Thousands of jobs in Jacksonville could be in jeopardy. That’s what local maritime experts fear if President Trump decides to waive the Jones Act for Puerto Rico. According to Bloomberg, the president is considering it because the recovering island and the oil industry are asking him to. The Jones Act is a nearly 100-year-old law that requires U.S. built, flagged, and crewed vessels move cargo between U.S. seaports.
› Can coworking save Oviedo Mall? 21-year-old retail space plans to try
The mall has joined a recent trend of foregoing traditional merchants for bowling alleys, hotels and traditional office spaces. But Oviedo Mall is the first mall in Central Florida to open itself to coworking, where companies on tight budgets move into small offices often with common areas.
› Manatee County attorneys to research ban on retail pet sales
With a second Petland store soon to open in its jurisdiction, the Manatee County Commission on Tuesday instructed one of its attorneys to research possible options for an ordinance that would restrict the retail sales of puppies and kittens.
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