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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s foray into state-sanctioned hemp set for approval in time for 2020 season
Florida’s foray into developing hemp as a cash crop that will spur the creation of related processing and manufacturing industries in the state could get final federal approval in time for the 2020 growing season, officials say. That timeline was firmed up Tuesday when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Domestic Hemp Production Program rules. [Source: The Center Square]
See also:
» USDA releases long-awaited hemp rule
» Commissioner Nikki Fried Welcomes Announcement of USDA Federal Hemp Program Rules
Column: E-Verify hasn’t worked in other states. Why does Florida think it will?
Nearly every year, someone among the ruling brain trust in Tallahassee champions E-Verify, a program that requires employers to check the immigration status of new hires. Many powerful businesses and agricultural groups don’t like E-Verify. And Florida lawmakers — Republicans, in particular — like to keep the private sector happy. Maintaining a friendly business climate has trumped immigration reform, at least so far. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida’s delegation votes along party lines, no defections, on impeachment vote
Florida’congressional delegation voted along party lines Thursday as the U.S. House approved rules for continuing the impeachment investigation into allegations that President Donald Trump used American foreign diplomacy to the benefit of his 2020 re-election campaign. Several of the Sunshine State congressional lawmakers have been in the spotlight throughout the unfolding drama since last month’s revelation of a whistleblower complaint against Trump. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Report: Florida among worst states to survive a recession in 2020
A recent report from FitSmallBusiness.com found Florida to be one of the worst states to survive a recession in 2020. The study used a variety of factors to create an overall score that was then used to create the rankings. Florida ranked as the eighth worst state to survive a recession in 2020, coming in at No. 42. [Source: Bizjournals]
Red tide keeps creeping up Florida’s west coast
The west coast has red in the water and unfortunately it isn’t a Halloween decoration. Red tide is continuing to bloom its way up the west coast of Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC biologists take measurements at hundreds of spots all around the coast every week and found low to high concentrations of the dinoflagellate karenia brevis in samples from Lee County, as well as background to high concentrations in Collier County in its most recent weekly test. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Space Coast activities at center of emerging $1 trillion space industry
A new report from Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) leaves little doubt that Florida’s Space Coast is driving the space industry upwards — and stands to benefit from the sector’s continued growth. Human exploration of space can be a catalyst to grow the industry through increased public and investor awareness, according to an Oct. 29 report by the New York-based investment bank.
› Kissimmee team builds python sensors that could help Everglades snake hunters
As Donna Kalil tracks pythons in the Everglades, she uses skills refined over more than 250 swamp hunts in three years to capture the snakes. A team of researchers in Kissimmee hopes to add some high-tech options for python hunters like Kalil, including temperature-detecting cameras and perhaps even snake-seeking drones one day.
› Champion Brands completes Jacksonville headquarters expansion
Champion Brands expanded its Jacksonville headquarters with a $6 million new building across the street from its warehouse and former offices on the Southside. The 5520 S. Florida Mining Blvd. facility is three times as large at 36,000 square feet, the beverage distributor said. It is designed with rooftop solar panels and fully automated LED lighting and HVAC systems to minimize environmental impact.
› Security risks grow for Florida municipalities and businesses
Florida has become even riskier for security hacks as more Florida municipalities and businesses get hacked. In many cases, data is held for a sizable ransom. Recent cyber attacks on Key Biscayne and Lake City is a clear call to action for greater digital security within municipal governments.
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