SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
New AutoNation CEO Cheryl Miller joins select group of female company leaders
Cheryl Miller made history this week. Appointed CEO of AutoNation, Miller is the first woman to lead a publicly held company in South Florida and one of few statewide. In Florida, there were only four women out of 109 who were CEOs of public companies in 2018. Another woman — Patricia Stitzel, of Tupperware Brands in Orlando — has since been appointed CEO this year, and one CEO on the list has left her position since last year. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Trend Related Content
» Florida's 125 Biggest Public Companies
» Profiles of women leaders in Florida [2017]
State moves forward with $15.5 million plane deal
Florida officials could soon finalize a deal to buy a $15.5 million business jet to fly Gov. Ron DeSantis, more than six months after he was a passenger in a state-operated aircraft that experienced a mechanical malfunction. A negotiation team with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Tuesday recommended the state acquire a nine-passenger jet from Textron Aviation Inc. The recommendation goes to FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, who will make a final decision. [Source: WJXT]
How Miami, a major destination for Venezuelan gold, is helping prop up Maduro’s regime
As Venezuela collapses into an economic depression like few seen in the last century, the isolated government of Nicolás Maduro still has one cash cow left: Gold. The country’s gold production is rising dramatically — and shipments of the metal are being smuggled, often through neighboring Colombia, into one of the world’s largest markets for gold: Miami. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday begins next week
Attention parents: summer vacation for the kiddos is almost over and you're getting a break. A sales tax break, that is. Florida's back-to-school tax holiday on school supplies begins August 2 and runs through August 6. This means you won't pay sales tax on many supplies that kids need when they head back to class next month. [Source: WOFL]
Florida lawmakers craft dueling immigration policies for 2020
Two prominent state senators intend to release proposals for the 2020 legislative session that would set up the Republican platform on immigration, a key issue going into next year’s election cycle. Sen. Joe Gruters, who doubles as the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, and Senate Judiciary Chairman David Simmons plan to file measures that illustrate different approaches to the thorny topic of immigration, the source of some of the Legislature’s most heated controversies in recent years. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tallahassee Chamber hosts conversation on developing land around TLH, improving the airport
Airport numbers and land use around the Tallahassee International Airport were discussed in a community conversation held by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. This was the third meeting since the Chamber's trip to Greenville, South Carolina. On average, 1,100 passengers who live within two hours of the Tallahassee International Airport choose other options in the region; 22% go to Orlando, while 16% go to Jacksonville.
› Sarasota YMCA to permanently close fitness branches
The Sarasota Family YMCA — a longtime fixture for family service and well-being in Sarasota — is closing its two fitness centers, Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch at Potter Park Drive and the Frank G. Berlin Sr. Branch on South Euclid Avenue, permanently on Sept. 13, according to a news release.
› Space Florida replacing aging NASA bridge
Space Florida is getting a $90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace an aging bridge leading to the Kennedy Space Center. The grant will help cover the cost of replacing NASA’s bridge over the Indian River Lagoon along State Road 405 which leads into the Space Center and Vistor Complex.
› South Florida parks want to lure you outside with shark movies, mimosas and paddleboard yoga
Summer is almost gone, and South Florida parks have a lot going on before it’s over. Playgrounds, pools, movies, and brunch are among the new activities and amenities available at parks from Hollywood to South Dade.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
