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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Hurricane center raises odds for tropical system off Florida’s coast, starts watching new disturbance in Atlantic
Two tropical disturbances have been detected in the Atlantic Ocean as one of them closes in on the southeastern tip of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. The closer of the two storms, located just east of the Florida Keys, has a 70 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next five days, the NHC said in its 8 a.m. update. However, the NHC said things could speed up with a 40 percent chance of the system experiencing tropical maturity in the next 48 hours. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.
Why Miami is a powerful lure for businesses
With enviable beauty and diverse culture, a strategic geographic location, and a thriving business, tech, and financial hub, Miami has become a top contender for companies, like Amazon, looking to add new headquarters or relocate. And the city’s commercial real estate landscape — including its design, connectivity, and availability of premier and build-to-suit office space — is accommodating to everyone from startups to Fortune 500 companies. More from the Miami Herald.
Sarasota spoonbill sighting emblematic of resurging species
The resurgence of one of Florida’s signature birds — the roseate spoonbill — may have been typified by the sighting of a banded member of the species in Sarasota County on July 24. Spoonbills nearly vanished from Florida’s landscape in the early 20th century because of the plume trade for women’s hats. After protections kept their colonies safe, the species gradually recovered and began establishing new nesting colonies in South Florida, in the Tampa Bay area and along central Florida’s Atlantic coast. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
5G coverage coming to Orlando, bringing potentially 20,000 small-cell nodes
Wireless speeds with 5G connectivity up to 100 times faster than existing service is coming — and potentially soon — to Orlando and other cities, potentially unlocking new jobs, autonomous vehicles and other innovations. To upgrade from the current 4G network, carriers including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile will install hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment across the country. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Jacksonville-based Fanatics inks deal with The U
Jacksonville-based Fanatics has signed a 10-year deal with the University of Miami for exclusive licensing of the college’s athletic clothing sales. The agreement begins in 2020 and puts the sports online apparel and memorabilia company in charge of apparel sales for the Miami Hurricanes, the company said. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Out of the Box
A working F-16 fighter jet is for sale in Florida
For a cool $8.5 million, you could be the proud owner of a “fully functioning” F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon fighter jet that a South Florida company acquired from Jordan. The combat aircraft, which can hit a top speed of 1,357 mph at 40,000 feet, isn’t showroom new — it was built in 1980. But it still has a max range of 2,400 miles and an initial climb rate of 62,000 feet per minute and remains militarized.
» More from the Miami Herald, WDBO, and Popular Mechanics.
Profile
Florida surf shop features its first model with Down syndrome
A popular beachwear company based in Hollywood, Florida launched a new ad campaign featuring its first model with Down syndrome. Surf Style, whose first store opened in 2011, noted their belief in the importance of representation, diversity and inclusion in their latest ad campaign centered around Ethan Holt – a 16-year-old model who happens to have Down syndrome.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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