March 19, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/15/2019

Florida legislators to consider racial impact of proposals

With African Americans accounting for nearly half of Florida’s prison population, the state Senate has launched a partnership with university researchers to delve more deeply into how criminal justice legislation could disproportionately affect communities of color.Legislative bills are routinely analyzed for their impact on the state budget and the environment but rarely are they vetted on how they could impact specific slices of the state’s demographics. Read more from the Associated Press.

Florida Trend Exclusive

Florida's Wish Farms and automation innovation

By the time Gary Wishnatzki took over the Florida operations of his family’s strawberry business in 2001, the company had already undergone big changes. Founded in the 1920s by Wishnatzki’s grandfather, who started out selling produce from a pushcart in New York City, the company eventually became one of Florida’s top berry growers and suppliers. More from Florida Trend.

Here’s a look from above at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just before it opens at Disney

With Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening a little more than a month away and the launch date for its second ride being announced Thursday, people everywhere are craving Star Wars. To quell everyone’s appetite, Don Gworek tweeted new night aerial photos of Galaxy’s Edge on Thursday. More from the Miami Herald.

Ships keep coming in for Florida’s economy

New data from the Florida Ports Council found all seven of the state’s cruise ports experienced multiday passenger growth in the 2017-18 fiscal year. In total, they handled 16.8 million passengers, about 700,000 more than the previous year. More from The Villages Daily Sun.

Florida Trend Exclusive

Pensacola company taps the growing video brochure market.

Pensacola startup Video Brochures Direct produces video brochures that can be accompanied by music played from stereo speakers built into the book. The video books range from about $70 to $130. Read more, here at Florida Trend.

Pop Culture
Tampa’s Hard Rock hotel unwraps shiny new toy: Elvis Presley’s 24-karat gold piano

 The King’s glimmering piano is the crown jewel of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's new $720 million expansion. [Photo Octavio Jones | Times]

» More from Tampa Bay Times.

 

Florida History
Father of Cool

SummerA Florida physician, Dr. John Gorrie, has been deemed the father of air conditioning because way back in the 1830s, he started trying to figure out how to cool down the body temperatures of his malaria and yellow-fever patients at the U.S. Marine Hospital at Apalachicola.

» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Incoming income tax instructor indicated
Incoming income tax instructor indicated

Affordable housing remains an issue; Income tax guidance on its way; What's in the 2024 budget; A mysterious threat to endangered sea life; Bass Pro Shops founder's "Florida Dream"

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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