March 28, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/19/2020

› Florida occupational licensing rollback stymied in Senate panel
The Florida House on Wednesday is expected to approve House Bill 3, which would prohibit local governments from imposing occupational licensing and business regulations. The Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 1336, sponsored by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, however, needed three hearings to pass through one panel and failed to get an endorsement from the Senate’s Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee.

› Sarasota-Manatee vacation rentals contribute $457 million annually, survey finds
Bright blue vacation rental houses and beachside coral-colored condos are a vital part of the tourism industry in the Sarasota-Manatee County area, and a new study from the University of Central Florida reveals just how much they matter. According to the survey released late last year, the vacation rental industry in Sarasota-Manatee contributed a combined $457 million to the local economy in 2018.

› Human interactions continue to put Florida dolphins, manatees at risk
NOAA is still searching for those responsible for the death of two wild dolphins found shot and stabbed off Florida’s coast in recent months. There’s a $20,000 reward being offered for leads on the case. Scientists believe people feeding dolphins is leading to these disturbing discoveries.

› Outback owner Bloomin’ Brands isn’t selling the business — right now
After exploring a sale since last year, Outback Steakhouse owner Bloomin’ Brands told investors Tuesday that it likely won’t put its entire business on the market anytime soon. That means — for now, at least — the Bloomin’ headquarters will stay in Tampa.

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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