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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida economist: 'Nobody wins a trade war'
As the U.S. trade war with China rages on and businesses and consumers feel the effects, a Florida economist is weighing-in about possible long-term, even generational repercussions. According to Florida Gulf Coast University Economics professor Dr. Thomas Smythe, Ph.D., trade wars are unwinnable endeavors, "Trade wars, from an economic perspective, are a net loss game. Period. End of story," Smythe said. "If there is any type of win, it has to be political because it’s not economic." [Source: WGCU]
See also:
» "You prepare for war": how one U.S. firm tried escaping Trump's China tariffs
» Execs starting to worry about tariffs’ effects on consumers
First 2019-20 Florida orange crop estimate shows mild recovery
Florida citrus consultant Elizabeth Steger has predicted the state’s growers will harvest 73 million boxes of oranges in the 2019-20 season. If accurate, that would represent a 2% increase from the 71.6 million orange boxes harvested in the recently completed 2018-19 Florida citrus season. The harvesting season runs generally from October to June. Steger’s annual August estimate, which she has done since 1998, is the first indication of orange production for the coming season and is widely watched among Florida citrus industry officials. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
Mystery money boosts campaign to limit Florida ballot measures
A secretive organization with the goal of thwarting amendments approved by voters after the 2020 election cycle has spent more than $800,000 on paid petition gatherers in the last four months, using funds from undisclosed sources and raising the specter of another high stakes fight over the future of energy regulation in Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Learn about Florida’s new hemp industry at ‘road tour’ Thursday
Curious about Florida’s new hemp industry? No problem -- the Hemp Industries Association of Florida launches its “hemp road tour,” an informational event on Thursday in South Florida. Hemp, which is used to make CBD oil and a variety of other products, became legal in Florida through a law signed in July by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The event might appeal to those considering starting a business related to hemp or who want to know about governmental policies concerning hemp or its prime product, CBD. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
On World Mosquito Day, how does Florida stack up among the nation’s most infested places?
The World Health Organization named the mosquito “one of the deadliest animals in the world.” According to WHO, mosquitoes carry and spread diseases like Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The mosquito “causes millions of deaths every year.” In 2015, malaria alone caused 438 000 deaths worldwide, WHO reports. [Source: Miami Herald]
Fertile ground for key growth sectors
When Miramar-based cancer and infectious disease research company Altor BioScience Corp. was acquired in 2017 for $1 billion, it was more than Florida’s largest ever biotech acquisition. It was confirmation that Miramar is fertile ground for the state’s growing biotech and life science sector. [Sponsored Report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida one of the least friendly states in travel site ranking
Big 7 Travel asked their social audience of 1.5 million people “what are the friendliest states in America?” New York came in at the very bottom of the list, which can be expected, but Florida’s placement may come as a shock to some. The state of Florida, known for its hospitality and vacation spots, is listed as the 42nd friendliest state in the United States.
› St. Petersburg has sent more than 21 million gallons of improperly treated sewage into the aquifer since 2018
Days after Subtropical Storm Alberto dumped heavy rain on this city in May 2018, officials gave themselves a glowing report card on progress made repairing its leaky sewage system. But the city didn’t tell the public that a few weeks earlier, it had pumped nearly 19 million gallons of wastewater into the Floridan aquifer that didn’t meet state or federal standards.
› Orlando-area churches, businesses recruited in opioid battle
Project Opioid founder Andrae Bailey says that until now, hospitals and law enforcement have been on the front lines of the opioid epidemic. But the group hopes to expand that frontline to businesses and churches. “The place you worship and the place that you work can be the place where you can get help if you're struggling with opioids,” Bailey said.
› Shipmonk to create more than 400 jobs in Fort Lauderdale
Shipmonk, a successful startup business in South Florida that provides packing and shipping for e-commerce companies, said it plans to create more than 400 jobs at its new Fort Lauderdale headquarters and logistics operation. The job-growth plan was revealed in the company’s request to the Fort Lauderdale Commission to approve a forgivable loan of $221,917.
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