March 28, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/16/2019

Florida’s dry season brings ‘flash drought’ and worry for farmers

Areas from Jacksonville to Pensacola are in various stages of desiccation with three counties in the upper reaches of the state in extreme drought – the fourth highest level on the U.S. Drought Monitor’s drought gauge. The so-called “flash drought,” which has spread through much of the southeast, follows a blast of record-high temperatures and lack of rain. While most droughts are the result of lower rain totals over an extended period of time, a flash drought can happen when moisture is sucked from soil by multiple sunny, hot days with no rain. More from the Gainesville Sun and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

See also:
» What’s a flash drought? It’s not good, and the Panhandle is suffering from it

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's Neptune Flood Insurance: the FEMA alternative

More than 30 years into a career working mostly in data analytics and information technology, Jim Albert decided to start a company. He saw opportunity in flood insurance — an industry dominated by the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — and co-founded St. Petersburg-based Neptune Flood Insurance in 2015. More from Florida Trend.

AutoNation accused of selling unsafe, unrepaired cars with open recalls

Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation is accused of selling used vehicles that contain dangerous safety defects. A report released Tuesday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group said that one in nine used vehicles offered for sale by the company, which bills itself as the nation’s largest auto retailer, contained unrepaired safety recalls. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Owner wants to demolish long-closed Mystery Fun House near Universal

Almost two decades after shutting down the Mystery Fun House attraction near Universal Studios, the parent company of Westgate Resorts is seeking a permit from Orlando to demolish the building. Central Florida Investments bought the fun house in 1983 for $800,000, about the same time it was breaking into the timeshare business. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Formula 1, Hard Rock Stadium agree to host Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 and Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday announced a deal in principle to host an annual Miami Grand Prix race at the Miami Gardens venue beginning in May 2021. The deal is pending approval from the Miami-Dade County Commission, which could table the idea later this month during its next commission meeting set for Oct. 29. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is recognized with NCI designation

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, has received the prestigious NCI designation from the National Cancer Institute. The NCI designation recognizes Sylvester as among the top cancer centers in the United States. Sylvester joins a highly select group as one of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in the state of Florida, and one of just 71 across the nation. [Sponsored report]

Out of the Box
Duke Energy line workers will compete in a ‘lineman rodeo’

 Duke Energy Co., Duke Energy Florida’s parent company, is sending nearly 80 line workers to compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo this week. Held in Kansas, the event tests competitors on skills they use on the job, such as equipment repair and climbing poles. About 15 workers from Florida will compete; four competitors and two coaches are from Tampa Bay.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Trend Mention

Mention ImageFlorida Automated Vehicle Summit

The Florida Automated Vehicles (FAV) Summit assembles industry leaders from around the world to address technologies, operations, and policy issues. Topics include automated, connected, electric and shared mobility, operations, infrastructure, design, cybersecurity, ethics, aftermarket products, enabling technologies, and public policy. Live demonstrations showcasing connected and automated technologies will provide a visualization of the positive impact these technologies will have on Florida roadways. November 20th-22nd, Miami, FL - Register Today!



Finance
Jax Federal's new CEO Joe Nowland talks expansion strategy

floridaThis month, Jax Federal Credit Union will open its ninth location in Northeast Florida after acquiring and renovating a vacant bank-branch building in Jacksonville’s Southside. Jax President and CEO Joe Nowland, who recently succeeded the credit union’s retired longtime leader, Gerri Sexsion, says he hopes to acquire several more branch locations in the next year.

» Read more from Florida Trend.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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