SHARE:
Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Tropical system likely to intensify, organize as it moves toward Florida
All eyes are on the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical system is forecast to strengthen today before making landfall across Florida Saturday morning. The NHC says there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation up to 5 feet along the Florida Gulf Coast from Indian Pass to Clearwater Beach. Portions of the central and eastern Gulf Coast may experience tropical storm force winds. More from WFLA, Florida Today, WFTV, and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida medical marijuana market surges with Trulieve taking lead
In the three years since Florida voters legalized medical marijuana, one cannabis company has put on a clinic in marketing, pleasing customers and turning a profit. Quincy-based Trulieve routinely outsells all of its state-licensed competitors combined. Chief Executive Kim Rivers says Trulieve has created Florida’s dominant cannabis brand by getting a head start in store openings and nurturing fierce customer loyalty. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Related Florida Trend Content: Marijuana in Florida: This Bud's for Us
Florida Trend Exclusive
Orlando's co-working expansion takes off
Downtown Orlando is seeing an explosion of co-working space. The growing competition appears to be taking a toll on some of the city’s space-sharing pioneers. Catalyst Spaces, one of the city’s first co-working spaces and startup incubator, shuttered its doors in August after five years. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida House looks for ways to trim health spending
Sending a signal that health care spending could be targeted for reductions next year, a House health panel is going to identify up to $624 million for possible "reprioritization." The $624 million "reprioritization" equals about 5 percent of the state's general revenue going to health and human services. [Source: WJXT]
Florida bears eat too much and get lazy in winter, just like us
Florida bears don’t have to worry about a tough winter. But still, they are on the move and eating 20,000 calories a day to pack on the pounds, crossing paths with nervous homeowners. Instead of hibernation, Florida’s black bears go into a kind of persistent lethargy called torpor. It’s the biological equivalent of putting on sweatpants and streaming old episodes of Friends on Netflix. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› H2O Live! water park wins award for its tech
A Kissimmee water park that debuted this summer has earned some early recognition for its efforts to build a tech-centric attraction for visitors. Island H20 Live!, which opened in June near Margaritaville Resort Orlando, received a Leading Edge Award at the World Waterpark Association Symposium & Trade Show.
› Florida could require a prescription for certain sunscreens that could harm coral reefs
A Florida lawmaker wants to limit what kinds of sunscreen you can buy as certain chemicals are bad for the environment. Now, experts fear the legislation will stop people from protecting themselves at the beach from UV rays altogether. Sunscreen saves lives and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention researchers agree. While it is everywhere, one Florida lawmaker wants to change that.
› Bok Tower Gardens: A national treasure in Florida gets $15M renovation project
The Lake Wales sanctuary perched atop the highest elevation in peninsular Florida will unveil its newly remodeled visitor center Saturday to coincide with the annual Rootstock Plant and Garden Festival.
› This nonprofit paid its CEO $751,000. Now it’s flouting Florida auditors.
The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a nonprofit, but in many ways, it operates like an arm of state government. It contracts with the state Department of Children and Families to oversee domestic violence programs across the state. It receives more than $51 million in government funding — from Florida and federal programs — which it parcels out to 42 domestic violence centers.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
