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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Lobbyists for Amazon, Walmart and other big businesses are writing a law to collect Florida sales tax online
Around the country, most states have raced to enact new online sales tax laws since a mid-2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared a path for them to do so. Florida is one of just two states with a statewide sales tax that has yet to take any action. But pressure to act is building -- because industry giants like Amazon, which is building more physical properties, and Walmart, which is expanding its e-commerce platforms, want it. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida reports first vaping-related death
The Florida Department of Health is reporting the state's first death from a lung injury associated with vaping. It comes amid a nationwide outbreak of lung problems associated with e-cigarettes, marking the 10th reported death tied to vaping use. The Florida death is posted on the department’s public health statistics website, on a chart tracking cases of lung injury associated with e-cigarette use. [Source: WCTV]
From Disney to SeaWorld, Florida theme parks are going vegan
September has been a feast for vegans, as carnivores eat their words over the tastiness of vegetarian food, and theme parks and tourist attractions race to offer more options. Both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld’s theme parks across the country have made splashy commitments this month to offer plant-based meals at all their restaurants. And even cruise lines are getting on board with the idea of vegetarian comfort food among their vast buffets. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Crazy path could lead Tropical Storm Karen to Florida
Computer models continue to suggest that Tropical Storm Karen will take a westward track toward Florida, but it's too soon to know for sure. No watches or warnings are currently associated with the storm, which remains on a strange path, possibly toward Florida. Many models show the storm making a loop before heading directly west. It's too soon to tell, however, if the storm would remain on a path to the U.S. coast. More from WKMG and the Florida Times-Union.
No one laughs at Florida's craft beer scene anymore
When the craft beer revolution began decades ago, Florida breweries produced lots of low-quality beers. That's no longer true in the Sunshine State. Beer expert David Butler marvels at “the incredible strides” Florida’s craft breweries have made in the past few years. “Nowadays, the same people who were laughing at the Sunshine State and how slow it was to join the craft beer game are clamoring for bottles from places like Funky Buddha, J. Wakefield, Angry Chair and others,” says Butler who writes floridabeerblog. [Source: Forbes]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Lake County hooks big fishing tournaments
Lake County has reeled in two big whoppers — the 2020 Fishing League Worldwide Tour and the 2020 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship. Both events are set for February on the popular, nationally-known bass-fishing waterways of the Harris Chain of Lakes.
› WeWork not saying if turmoil will affect plans for 70,000-square-foot Orlando office
Officials with the coworking firm WeWork are not saying whether a high-profile shakeup at the billion-dollar company will affect its plans to open in Orlando. The company announced in May that it would open a three-floor, 70,000-square-foot office in the SunTrust building downtown. CEO Adam Neumann stepped down Tuesday amid growing tension between the startup and its investors.
› PortMiami deals to create 27,500 jobs, mayor says
The deals with Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Virgin Voyages, whose terms range from 20 to 62 years, as well another deal in the works with cargo company Terminal Link, will make a $7.8 billion impact here yearly and create 27,500 direct and indirect jobs, Mayor Carlos Giménez said.
› Publix real estate executive to retire after nearly 50 years
After 47 years of dedicated service, Publix Super Markets’ Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities Jeff Chamberlain has announced his decision to retire at the end of the year. Chamberlain, 63, began his Publix career in 1972 as a front service clerk in Satellite Beach, Florida.
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