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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Tampa Riverfest canceled over coronavirus concerns
Friends of the Riverwalk had hoped to hold Tampa Riverfest in 2021, but you can add the annual free party along the Hillsborough River to the list of events canceled over COVID-19 safety concerns. “Following dialogue with event organizers, city leaders and health care experts, we believe it is best to cancel the event this year,” said a statement from the Friends of the Riverwalk. It had been scheduled to return May 1 after the 2020 event was also canceled.
› Florida lawmakers consider ‘baby box’ as a place to abandon newborns
A bill in the Florida Legislature would pave the way for parents to surrender newborn children through a box, but the legislation faces opposition from some Democrats and advocacy groups. Funded by an organization from Indiana, the newborn surrender safety boxes would operate much like a book return at a library with openings on either side. Boxes would be located at emergency medical services facilities, hospitals and fire stations throughout the state.
› Malnove incentive to support upgrades to Jacksonville plant
JAX Chamber announced Feb. 23 that Malnove, a folding carton manufacturer, is expanding and upgrading its Jacksonville plant. The Jacksonville City Council approved a $160,000 property tax incentive Dec. 8 for Malnove Holding Co. Inc. “This expansion in Jacksonville is an important next step as we expand in the Southeast and is critical to the overall growth of our company,” said Dale Houck, president of Malnove, in the news release.
› Will Saudi billionaire make Hibiscus Island Miami Beach’s new ‘Star?’
Miami Beach wealth haven Star Island is getting competition from its neighbor. Ibrahim Al-Rashid, son of Saudi billionaire Nasser Ibrahim Al-Rashid and Lebanese-French socialite Mouna Ayoub, bought yet another house on Hibiscus Island — paving the way for the island’s largest residence, set on five lots.
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