March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/31/2019

Florida consumer sentiment continues to grow amid record-breaking economic expansion

As the U.S. entered its longest economic expansion in its history, consumer sentiment among Floridians increased in July 3.7 points to 100.2 from June’s revised figure of 96.5. All five components that make up the index increased. Floridians’ opinions of their personal financial situation now compared with a year ago increased 3.6 points from 93.2 to 96.8, though opinions varied greatly by demographics. Read more from UF News and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Florida economists looking at the dollars and cents in an assault weapons ban

Four economists will spend at least six weeks tallying the cost to the State of Florida of a proposed ban on assault weapons. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference Tuesday held the first of four workshops on a proposal that may be on the November 2020 ballot. If the Supreme Court approves the proposal, and proponents collect 766,200 signatures to qualify for a ballot slot in November 2020, then voters will get a say in an issue that will galvanize activists on both the left and right.[Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Lockheed Martin celebrates missile program’s move to Space Coast that could bring 350 jobs

Lockheed Martin marked the relocation of its ballistic missiles program here Tuesday, raising flags on a site that’s expected to eventually generate 350 new or relocated jobs. But as it celebrated with the mostly symbolic gesture, economic leaders say the program’s arrival adds to a region that has already been boosted by launch firms SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Challenges facing the Florida insurance market: A reinsurer’s perspective

Hurricanes Irma and Michael served as a reminder that Florida, more than any other state, is at risk of one of the most intense natural perils, namely hurricanes. The existence of a stable insurance market providing its customers with a wide choice of affordable insurance is essential for the Florida economy to prosper. Nonetheless, the Florida insurance market faces various challenges. [Source: Insurance Journal]

Florida among sites Trump administration is scouting for child migrant facilities

The Trump administration is scouting sites in central Florida, Virginia and Los Angeles for future facilities to hold unaccompanied children who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent letters to Florida lawmakers Monday saying it is looking for vacant properties in those locations to build permanent licensed facilities for those under age 18 who have entered the United State illegally without a parent or guardian. More from the AP and the Orlando Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Amazon Prime show films episode in Florida city
Lee and Alicia Ducote might look like an average couple, but their idea of a date is slightly different than most. Instead of dinner and a movie, the two would rather hunt frogs, go spelunking or race hot air balloons. Their many adventures are chronicled in a new Amazon Prime show “Adventure and Romance” — including an episode filmed recently on the First Coast.

› Leonardo DiCaprio is producing Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff for TV in Tampa
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions became the symbol for the Tampa Bay area’s fledgling film industry in 2015. When making the movie Live By Night, the actor’s company chose to recreate Ybor City in Georgia rather than shoot in the authentic district. Four years later, Appian Way actually came to town, becoming part of the area’s now-burgeoning film industry.

› Orange County Brewers is moving to Lake Mary — in Seminole County
Orange County Brewers is closing its downtown location as it moves to a new space in Lake Mary. The Lake Mary space, at 1117 International Parkway, is expected to have a soft opening in two weeks, said Jeremy Roberts, one of the brewery’s owners. An exact opening date was not yet available.

› Christmas in July: Brightline puts 2019 Polar Express train tickets on sale, adds Miami route
Brightline has put tickets on sale now for its 2019 Polar Express train adventures, the popular, pajama-clad family Christmas parties themed to the popular children’s book and movie. The most popular days and times sold out quickly last season when the Polar Express was based at the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station.

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