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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
What is the future of legal marijuana in Florida?
Was Congress’ historic vote to decriminalize marijuana an early sign of momentum to legalize marijuana across the United States? Or is was it a low-stakes move on a splashy issue that’s unlikely to go anywhere? Florida is home to plenty who are interested in the answer. In addition to essentially legalizing marijuana at the federal level, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act establishes a federal tax on cannabis products. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Port Canaveral reaches deal to sell its Titusville Logistics Center for $17.5 million
Port Canaveral has reached a deal to sell its Logistics Center on U.S. 1 in south Titusville for $17.5 million — slightly above the price the port purchased the complex for in 2016. The sale to Reich Brothers LLC must be approved by the Canaveral Port Authority board, which is scheduled to vote on the proposal Wednesday. More from Florida Today.
Jacksonville will pump more dollars into mortgage and eviction relief
A reshuffle of how the city of Jacksonville uses its federal CARES Act dollars would steer more money into aiding people living in the shadow of possible foreclosure or eviction because they lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city also would put federal money into supporting the Jacksonville Zoo and the Greater Jacksonville Fair Association after the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a blow to places where people gather in large numbers. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Largest food hall in Florida to open in Delray Beach
If size matters, then Delray Beach will soon have bragging rights to the biggest food hall in the state. Costing $60 million, standing four stories tall and spanning 150,000 square feet, the Delray Beach Market will open this spring and bring 150-200 jobs to the region. Management estimates they can take in 2,000 visitors a day at the 33 SE Third Ave. locale, just half-a-block south of the buzzy dining/drinking/entertainment enclave Atlantic Avenue. The new building includes a 220-car, four-level enclosed parking garage. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Hello Kitty and Barbie trucks headed to Orlando
Big news for Hello Kitty and Barbie fans in Central Florida: The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck and the Barbie Truck Totally Throwback Tour are rolling into Orlando. The Hello Kitty truck, which is continuing its East Coast tour, will make a return visit to the region, while the Barbie truck is making its first-ever Orlando appearance. Find both trucks from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 12 outside near the Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Two new arson dogs come to Florida
What has four legs and a nose for sniffing at fire scenes? An arson dog. And Florida has two new ones ready to help figure out whodunit. In a program funded by State Farm, dogs are trained to sniff out fires and "have a nose up on arsonists. They're available for fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the U.S. The State Farm Arson Dog Program began in 1993 and has placed more than 425 dogs in 46 states, D.C. and three Canadian provinces, according to the insurance company.
» More from WTSP.
Event
Selby Lights in Bloom returns for open-air holiday show in Sarasota
Still basking in the glow of national recognition, Marie Selby Gardens’ annual outdoor lighted holiday display returns this year with a few safety tweaks. Selby Lights in Bloom made USA Today’s Top 10 Botanical Garden Holiday Lights shows in 2019. The perennial Sarasota event opens Saturday with over 2 million LED lights along the Sarasota bayfront and sports a trademarked name: “Lights in Bloom: An Open-Air Holiday Light Show.”
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
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