March 29, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/21/2019

Bring on the early-bird dinners. Floridians are getting older

As new nursing homes open and more health providers flood the state, the activity has a convincing trend supporting it: A new U.S. Census report confirms Floridians are getting older. The median age in Florida is two years older than it was in 2010, rising to 42.2 in 2018 from 40.7 in 2010. according to new 2018 Population Estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The rise in Florida’s median age affects everything from health care demands to housing costs and dining trends. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Sarasota architect redesigns industry's pay model

One of Baron Schimberg’s business mottos is to never get too comfortable — even though the longtime Sarasota architect is all about making clients comfortable in their space, home or work. Schimberg’s latest move to break the contentedness is to flip his firm’ payment model, from a project-by-project basis to a retainer model, more akin to concierge medicine. More from the Business Observer.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket set to launch NASA payloads from Kennedy Space Center

When 27 SpaceX Merlin engines ignite at Kennedy Space Center Monday night, they will propel four NASA payloads designed to improve future spacecraft design and performance as the agency plans to return to the moon in the next five years. Today's methods of rocket propulsion, though more advanced and refined, are in many ways still similar to procedures more than 50 years ago. More from Florida Today.

18-year-olds can now serve as prison guards in Florida

Floridians fresh out of high school will now be able to work as correctional officers in prisons and jails, a move aimed at alleviating a shortage of applicants. Starting July 1, the minimum hiring age will be lowered from 19 to 18. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the change into law this week, saying in a prepared statement that Florida is “opening more doors for young women and men to begin an honorable public safety career.” See the announcement and read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Another scooter company? Yes — but hometown player Bolt believes there’s room to ride

Bird. Lime. Jump. Pick a four-letter word in 2019, and there’s a good chance it’s also the name of an electric scooter rental company. Now, a Miami Beach-based outfit is riding into the market, on the belief that there is still plenty of demand for two-wheelers to go around. More from the Miami Herald.

Serving clients and community we call our own

When Tripp Scott opened its doors in 1969, Fort Lauderdale was a quiet tourist town with about 140,000 residents. Fifty years later, the county seat of 1.93 million Broward residents has evolved into a thriving metropolis that enjoys a rich civic and cultural tapestry. Tripp Scott has helped nurture that growth by serving the market one client — and community organization — at a time. [Sponsored report]

Out of the Box
Iguanas are worse than ever and we’re spending big bucks to get rid of them

 As packs of invasive green iguanas devour landscapes, damage roofs and poop in pools, desperate homeowners and condo associations are being forced to hire professionals to help keep the beasts at bay. They are worse than ever, wrecking landscaping, roofs, sea walls, patios, home foundations and levees, experts say. South Florida companies such as Iguana Control of Fort Lauderdale and Redline Iguana Removal of Hollywood are thriving and proliferating as quickly as the iguanas themselves.

» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

 

Innovation
UF engineer, two colleagues invent sensor to extend electric car battery

floridaThree UF engineers invent a sensor that generates its own power using external magnetic fields. Cars today have multiple sensors that perform all manner of tasks, from alerting drivers to vehicles in their blind spots to warning of low tire pressure or a door that’s ajar. Minimizing the drain on the car’s battery from those sensors is crucial, particularly in electric vehicles.

» Read more from Florida Trend.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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