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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Dorian is likely to become a hurricane, and Florida’s projected to be in its path
Tropical Storm Dorian held steady with 50 mph winds overnight but is expected to “gradually intensify,” and Central Florida and South Florida are still in the storm’s projected path, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. Tuesday update. Hispaniola is bracing for impact in 36 to 48 hours and a new tropical storm warning and hurricane watch were issued for Puerto Rico and part of the Dominican Republic, the NHC said early Tuesday. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and ABC.
Planned roads could imperil Florida's panthers—and last remaining wilderness
While panthers reclaim their former territory, Florida's human population is booming: More than 900 people move to the Sunshine State every day on average, and problems like heavy traffic are getting worse in some areas. Smart planning is a must, though not all agree on what that means. Florida’s delicate but expanding panther population could be jeopardized by a proposed highway that would cut through part of their vital habitat. The exact highway route is unknown as yet, but would run roughly from Orlando to Naples. [Source: National Geographic]
Florida’s Labor Day gas prices are lowest in years, could drop to $2 a gallon later
Labor Day weekend gas prices in Florida could be the lowest for the holiday weekend in two to three years and could continue falling toward the $2 mark toward the end of the year. Average gas prices in the state for Labor Day were at $2.80 in 2018, $2.64 in 2017, $2.22 in 2016 and $2.26 in 2015. Prices could see a slight, temporary bump due to demand before the holiday, but following Labor Day refineries switch to their cheaper winter-blend gasoline, AAA said. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
New poll shows 67% support for legal pot in Florida
For the second time in two months, a new poll shows two-thirds of likely voters agree with legalizing marijuana in Florida. The poll of 800 registered likely voters shows 67 percent supporting legal marijuana for adults. Just 29 percent oppose. A new petition effort was filed on Friday to bring the question to the 2020 ballot. The Florida Medical Marijuana Business Associations’s Jeff Sharkey cautioned that the campaign has yet to begin. More from WJHG and Florida Politics.
Tapping into the growing black tourism market — a $90 billion prize
The 23rd Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show was held last month at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel. The theme was, “Ownership- The New Paradigm.” More than 500 people attended the three-day conference. Hot topics included hotel ownership, investing, supplier opportunities, financing deals, public/private partnerships and employment. The focus was how to market to minorities, and growing a share of the $90 billion-plus African American, Multicultural & Heritage Tourism markets. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando International reveals plan to bring 10 therapy dogs to airport to soothe frazzled travelers
Orlando International Airport said Monday that it plans to test bringing in therapy dogs to help ease frazzled fliers' nerves. The airport said it will release more details about the MCO Paw Pilots program Friday. The Alliance of Therapy Dogs will help select 10 dogs and their handlers to be part of the pilot program.
› Rising waters force parts of Everglades to close
Large parts of the Everglades are closed to the public because of high water levels. Recent storms have flooded some conservation areas, causing wildlife to head to tree islands, levees and other higher ground, said Dr. Tom Reinert, regional director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Deer, rabbits, raccoons and other wildlife are seeking shelter on higher ground.
› New poll shows support for Donald Trump split in Florida
Floridians are split on whether they approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance. In a statewide poll of registered voters released this weekend by St. Pete Polls, 48 percent of Floridians approve of the job Trump is doing while 49 percent disapprove. The remaining 3 percent are unsure. The results of the poll suggest a possible tossup for Trump in the swing state considered one of the most important to win in presidential elections.
› Central Florida AT&T workers join strike over ‘unfair labor practices’
Orlando AT&T workers walked off the job and picketed outside a maintenance site Monday, joining 20,000 employees across the Southeast striking against what their union calls “unfair labor practices.” Communications Workers of America, the union representing AT&T workers, launched the strike Saturday morning and filed an unfair labor practice charge against AT&T for sending representatives to the negotiating table who aren’t decision makers, according to a news release.
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