March 28, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

Photo: FL DOT

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/10/2020

Does Florida still need that trio of billion-dollar toll roads?

Florida’s controversial new toll roads hit a potential roadblock this week. But with the coronavirus pandemic keeping cars and trucks parked, the state’s toll roads are producing far less revenue than they brought in last year. There’s no telling when – or if — traffic will return to the level it was at before the pandemic struck, especially if the nation falls into a recession. More from the Florida Phoenix.

Tourism lobbyists want taxpayer help for advertising agencies

Tourism industry lobbyists are pressing Congress and the Trump administration to extend emergency aid meant for small businesses to taxpayer subsidized advertising agencies such as Visit Orlando and Visit Florida. “That’s a huge priority of ours,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, a lobbyist for the U.S. Travel Association, whose members include tourism businesses such as the Walt Disney Co., Marriott international Inc., Carnival Corp. and Avis Budget Group Inc. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Seminole considers another incentive deal for Deloitte, this time for nearly $500K

One of the largest information technology and consulting firms in the world stands to receive $480,000 in local tax money from Seminole County if it hires 400 people over the next three years at its offices near Heathrow, according to a proposed job growth incentive package. This would come on top of the $1.7 million Deloitte Consulting LLP has already received from Seminole and Lake Mary for creating 1,000 jobs at its complex on South International Parkway. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Traffic tickets down 92 percent in Florida

While Floridians stay home to limit the spread of COVID-19, law enforcement officers across the Sunshine State are stopping fewer motorists as millions of vehicles remain parked. Some police agencies also are practicing social distancing by reducing the number of traffic stops officers, deputies and troopers make. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Publix makes aisles one direction

Publix has added directional floor markers to keep customers going one way down aisles in an effort to keep them farther apart because of coronavirus. The Lakeland-based grocery store giant, which has more than 100 stores in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties, began adding the markings on Wednesday. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Sports Business
MLB considering radical realignment for 2020 season with half of the teams playing in Florida

How about the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies being divisional rivals for the season and playing it in Florida? Major League Baseball, assessing a myriad of proposals, has discussed a radical plan that would eliminate the traditional American and National Leagues for  2020 and realign all six divisions for an abbreviated season. The plan would have all 30 teams returning to their spring-training sites in Florida and Arizona, and playing regular-season games only in those two states.

» More from USA Today.

 

Out of the Box
Fighting coronavirus, Florida-style: This shop will make you a face mask from python skin

floridaAcross America, people are making coronavirus masks with everything from t-shirts and pillowcases to vacuum cleaner bags. Because it’s Florida, one guy is using python skin. Brian Wood, owner of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach, is crafting decorative mask coverings from the skin of the Burmese python, the infamous invasive species wreaking havoc on the native wilidlife of the Everglades.

» Read more from the Miami Herald.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

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.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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