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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s hemp program still shooting for winter crop but issues remain
If all goes well over the next few weeks, Florida officials expect the state’s first legal hemp farmers since the 1930s to start planting seeds in the first quarter of 2020, but there remain some unresolved and newly emerging issues to be worked out. Florida Cannabis Director Holly Bell outlined that timeline Wednesday, along with some of the challenges faced now by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in bringing a hemp farming program out of the ground. More from Florida Politics.
Space Coast’s launch dry spell is ending: SpaceX sending its Starlink satellites to orbit
SpaceX is set to end a three-month dry spell of ground-based launches from the Space Coast on Monday with a planned launch of its Internet satellite constellation. Scheduled to launch at about 9:55 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s launch complex 40, a Falcon 9 rocket will carry about 60 satellites into orbit. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
SeaWorld names Sergio Rivera as its new CEO
SeaWorld named its new leader Thursday after the previous CEO left in September amid a disagreement with the board. Sergio “Serge” Rivera, 57, will take over the Orlando-based company starting Monday, the company announced in a news release, as it reported third-quarter earnings that showed nearly a 3% attendance drop for the quarter compared with last year. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Jacksonville Port Authority receives $20 million grant
The Jacksonville Port Authority is the recipient of a $20 million grant for infrastructure improvements to include reconstructing about 100 acres of pavement at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal on Blount Island to allow the port to better accommodate large container vessels. Other improvements to the terminal include storm drainage, enhanced lighting, signage and utilities, JaxPort said. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Fisher Phillips partner elected Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce
Fisher Phillips partner Charles Caulkins has been elected Chairman of the Board for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. This is the highest-ranking elected leadership position within the Florida Chamber. Caulkins’ two-year term as the Chair runs from November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2021. He replaces outgoing Chair Bob Grammig, Partner at Holland & Knight, LLP. More at Florida Trend.
Business Florida
Moving ahead
Florida’s Northwest has long enjoyed an abundance of assets — sugar white beaches, bright blue Gulf waters, a heavy military presence. In October 2018, the people who live here added one more — resilience. Hurricane Michael took down houses, hotels, trees and power lines across much of the Panhandle, but it didn’t damage spirits.
» More from Business Florida.
Arts Business
Megalodon Shark gets a makeover for Venice Chalk Festival
The Megalodon Shark pavement art was at one time the largest 3D art of its type in the world. It is being restored by artists and volunteers in the week leading up to the 2019 Chalk Festival, and will be one aspect of a larger piece, "The Lost World," envisioned by 3D pavement artist Kurt Wenner.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
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