March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/29/2020

Florida scientists find potential cure for citrus greening disease

Scientists in Florida have confirmed what some citrus growers suspected for years -- that oak trees could inhibit citrus greening disease, which has brought the once thriving Florida industry to the brink of collapse. Research over the past year at a University of Florida greenhouse in Fort Pierce showed that citrus trees recovered from citrus greening when sprayed and drenched with treated water twice a week for two months. Read more from UPI and UF|IFAS.

Report: Florida ranks among best states for female entrepreneurs, moves up 11 spots

Florida is among the 10 best states for female entrepreneurs, after rising 11 spots on FitSmallBusiness.com’s annual ranking. With its 11-spot rise, among the five highest jumps on this year’s list, Florida lands as the sixth best state for female entrepreneurs. Colorado, California, Washington, New York and Texas ranked higher. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Southwest Florida bank, in $6 billion merger, to create Southeast financial giant

CenterState Bank and South State Bank, headquartered in Columbia, S.C., have agreed to an all-stock merger that, if approved by regulators and shareholders, will create the eighth-largest bank headquartered in the Southeast. The deal is valued at $6 billion and expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, according to a press release. More from the Business Observer.

Miami International Boat Show, Marine Stadium on collision course?

There remain serious concerns among those supporting restoration of Miami Marine Stadium that the millions of dollars going into rebuilding it may be wasted if the Miami International Boat Show continues to control the city-owned property in the peak tourist season. The boat show is held in mid-February on Virginia Key, under a license agreement between the City of Miami and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). More from Miami Today.

Space Florida wants to ‘streamline’ bond process by removing rule requiring governor’s approval

Space Florida is asking state lawmakers to let it strike quicker deals with private space companies. As a public-private state agency and a special district, Space Florida has the power to help private companies by borrowing money on their behalf or building facilities for them to use. But questions under current state law about how exactly Space Florida can borrow money — and who is ultimately on the hook if a deal goes bad — have created challenges for the agency as it seeks to enter into more bond deals. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Are you a Florida business professional? We want to hear from you!
Our new question and answer series In Focus asks experts in Florida's business community to share real-life lessons, tips and experiences learned along the way.

Top responses will be published in our newsletter. Submit your response and accompanying photo to: floridatrend.com/infocus/submit

Transportation
Orlando International Airport named ‘best’ in the U.S.

 Orlando International Airport isn’t just one of the most populated airports in the country, it’s also apparently the most popular. OIA secured its spot as the No. 1 airport in the country, according to a popular vote hosted by USA Today in its 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Out of the Box
Florida could make rescue animals the official state pet

floridaAnimals in rescue shelters and those adopted from them could become Florida’s official state pet under a bill unanimously approved by a Senate committee on Monday. Democratic Sen. Kevin Rader said he filed the legislation after reading rescue animals have become the official state pet or animal of elsewhere, including California, Colorado, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois and Ohio.

» Read more from the WEAR and CBS Miami.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.