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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s unemployment rate hits 3 percent, lowest on record
The state’s unemployment rate dropped into record territory in December. For the first time since current records began in 1976, the rate hit 3 percent. The state added 16,000 jobs, according to the monthly report from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, a solid total given the record length of the current economic expansion. The civilian workforce grew slightly to 10.5 million; 311,000 people were unemployed. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WINK News.
Florida has a robust presence in the gig economy
The gig isn’t up. The gig economy, that is. Multiple national surveys reveal that the while defining exactly what a gig employee is or isn’t varies, by most counts it’s on the rise. And in the Sunshine State, according to a new report from CareerSource Florida, there’s even greater opportunity for the gig economy to prosper. [Source: Business Observer]
Astronomers prepare for more crowded skies as SpaceX and OneWeb ramp up launches of internet satellites
The night sky is getting crowded, and astronomers are not yet sure if they’ve found a solution. Since SpaceX began launching its Starlink internet satellites in May of 2019, astronomers have spoken up about the brightness of the string of spacecraft in the sky and its effect on their data collection. Part of the issue is scale: SpaceX has already sent about 180 satellites to space, with plans for a constellation numbering in the tens of thousands. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
‘Deep’ going-out-of-business sales begin at Lucky’s Markets in Florida
Going out of business sales have begun at Lucky’s Market stores in Florida as the chain prepares to close up shop next month. The only location that will remain open in Florida is in West Melbourne. Lucky’s Market is known for offering a variety of healthy and locally sourced products including meat, seafood and produce along with prepared foods for a more affordable price. [Source: Miami Herald]
Lower number of shark bites off Florida coast may not be good news. Here's why.
Fewer sharks are hugging southeastern Florida’s shoreline as they make their annual migration, a significant absence noted in a new report on shark bites and a potential signal of an ailing ecosystem. Florida Atlantic University scientists believe warmer coastal waters — 1.8 degrees in the past decade — between Boca Raton and Jupiter have thrown the sharks off course, halting their journey north of the area or pushing them farther out to sea. [Source: USA Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Amazon, now headed to Venice, known for pursuing tax breaks
Commercial building permits show Amazon plans to build a distribution center in south Sarasota County. What’s unclear is whether the Seattle-based e-commerce company got a sweetheart deal on its way to the Venice area. Amazon is known for its vigorous pursuit of tax incentives for new facilities. The most prominent example is the 2017-18 nationwide search for a second headquarters — “HQ2” — which resulted in hundreds of cities in the U.S. and Canada going to great lengths to get the company’s attention. But there’s no evidence yet that Amazon is receiving tax incentives from local or state authorities for its new Venice distribution center.
› Details on Universal Orlando’s upcoming theme park are out. Dragons may be involved
With every passing month, the hype around Universal Orlando’s third theme park, Epic Universe, gets louder. But a detailed site plan may lend some clues. What has been confirmed to the public is that Universal will build a new theme park complex with hotels, shops, restaurants and an entertainment center several miles south of its existing resort. It will be called Universal’s Epic Universe.
› An island in Florida is paying residents to let a special owl burrow in their front yard
Florida's dwindling population of burrowing owls is having trouble finding homes. So, one island town is letting the birds stay in residents' yards, rent-free. Those humans can then pocket an easy $250 for being generous landlords.
› ‘It’s a beautiful thing.’ Fans flock to Miami Beach for the Super Bowl Experience
The big game is still nearly a week away, but Super Bowl week has officially kicked off. Fans representing their favorite teams journeyed to the Miami Beach Convention Center Saturday morning to get a first look at the Super Bowl Experience, complete with everything from NFL memorabilia to training camp-themed obstacle courses.
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