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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida seniors leading the state in medical marijuana use
The Florida State Legislature passed a state bill that approved the use of Medical Marijuana in 2017, and since then there has been an increase in reported use. Robert Platshorn, a senior advocate of marijuana, has been discussing the benefits of marijuana for more than three decades. Platshorn has seen a surge in its use in the 55 and older community. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, WFTV, and the Palm Beach Post.
Nearly 4,000 hurricane evacuees from the Bahamas have come to South Florida
About 3,900 evacuees escaping Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in the Bahamas have been processed through South Florida by air and sea. Only a few have been found inadmissible, said Diane J. Sabatino, US Customs and Border Protection director of field operations. Officials are making those decisions on a case-by-case basis and among the reasons for inadmissibility, Sabatino said, are prior immigration violations and criminal histories. More from CBS Miami.
Thonotosassa farm tries to bleat record for largest goat yoga class
More than 500 people and 110 goats are expected at the Grady Goat Farm in eastern Hillsborough County on Saturday to set a Guinness world record for the largest-ever goat yoga session. This goat-together won’t just beat the previous winner, organizers said. “We are going to smash the record,” said Debbie Canton, 56, who has spent almost a year organizing the day from the farm she and her husband, Rob, run as a rescue and charity in Thonotosassa. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Cyber-crime hotline launches for Central Florida victims
In a state rated worst in the nation for "cyber hygiene,” targets of cyber stalking, identity theft, IRS impostors and other cyber crime now have a single place to turn for help in reporting and recovery — the Heart of Florida United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline. Officials announced Thursday that the nonprofit agency has received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to create a cyber-crime victim support initiative for residents in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties — the first such operation in the state and only the third in the nation. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida fuel reserve proposal floated for disasters
The possibility of creating such a reserve drew attention after Hurricane Irma forced massive evacuations in 2017, causing runs on gas stations. The threat of Hurricane Dorian in August created a similar scenario along the state’s East Coast, leading Florida Highway Patrol troopers to escort fuel trucks from ports to gas stations. More from CBS Miami.
Arts and Culture
Florida Orchestra names St. Petersburg painter first-ever ‘visual artist-in-residence’
On the eve of its 2019-20 season, the Florida Orchestra has named St. Petersburg artist Geff Strik its first-ever “visual artist-in-residence.” For his first official project, Strik is working on another series of paintings that will be filmed and screened during the orchestra’s Oct. 11 to 13 performances of Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote, featuring cellist Maximilian Hornung.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Dining
SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival grows in second run
If you popped in to check out SeaWorld’s new Craft Beer Festival last year, you're in for a surprise if you’re planning to return. The event has grown in spades. “Last year, it was just two weeks. This year? Six weeks!” says Executive Chef Hector Colon. Now underway and running weekends through Oct. 27, the Oktoberfest-inspired festival’s food menu has mushroomed into more than 20 items that were months in the planning. The beer selection has exploded past 100.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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