March 18, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/21/2019

Florida hemp rules ready for final review

Hopeful hemp farmers could be sending in application’s by years end. Final draft rules for a state hemp program in Florida will be discussed today in Tampa at the first of multiple public hearings. That means the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services remains on track for adoption and review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to agency spokesperson Franco Ripple. It’s been a high priority for Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to get a final draft out and hemp seeds in Florida soil as soon as possible. More from Florida Politics.

Florida Senate convenes special session to consider the fate of sheriff removed by governor

The Florida Senate began a special session Monday to decide whether it will reinstate a county sheriff suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis over the handling of last year's Parkland school shootings that killed 17 people. The Senate met briefly to open the session as relatives of Parkland victims watched from the public gallery. The Rules Committee was to meet later Monday in what was expected to be a marathon session. More from the AP and WPEC.

Florida’s GOP has a change of heart about climate change

Florida’s Republican lawmakers are looking at new ways to address climate change in the state. It’s part of a shift in policy when it comes to addressing environmental issues. The sea change comes as younger republicans ditch old policies, which included not even using the words climate change. More from WUSF.

Pensacola entrepreneurs to get boost from MIT-trained mentors

The Pensacola Entrepreneur Initiative, an effort driven by partners like the Studer Community Institute, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and the University of West Florida Center for Entrepreneurship, among others, plans to send representatives to MIT's Venture Mentoring Service next month. Later, MIT staff will visit Pensacola to train mentors, with the intention of launching the program in spring 2020. More from the Pensacola News Journal.

Home insurance rates keep climbing, along with lawsuits. Will it ever end?

It’s likely you received another rude surprise when you opened your latest home insurance bill this year. Rates for most Florida homeowners are continuing to rise despite reforms enacted last spring by the state legislature that were intended to curtail abusive lawsuits by third-party repair contractors and their attorneys. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Intellectual property and your new business: Questions you should be asking to ensure you're protected.

There are many things to think about when you’re starting a new business. In addition to the financial, marketing and other business matters, there are important intellectual property concerns that should be addressed up front. If you wait until you have more money or time, it may be too late. Your most valuable business assets could be lost. [Sponsored report]

Event
34th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

 In partnership with the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) launches the 34th annual event Friday, Nov 1, with a star-studded red carpet followed by the South Florida Premiere of Cuba on the giant AutoNation® IMAX® Theater screen.

» More at Florida Trend.

 

Out of the Box
Zombie war in St. Petersburg: Feud divides ‘Thriller’ dance hordes

floridaOne week before Halloween, a zombie horde dozens strong will gather at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg and burst into dance. Two days later, a different horde of zombies will meet at Ferg’s Sports Bar down the road and erupt into a dance of their own. The zombie hordes will look a lot alike. They’ll dance to the same song — Michael Jackson’s Thriller — and will even include some of the same dancers. But make no mistake: St. Petersburg’s two zombie hordes are at war.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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