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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida lawmakers tee up sales tax ‘holidays'
Floridians are in line to get “holidays” from paying sales taxes as they prepare for the school year and hurricane season and as they plan to get out for some entertainment and recreation. As with most aspects of the state’s budget talks this year, the tax proposals grew with the state’s expected infusion of federal stimulus money and increased state revenue as the economy has reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic. More from the News Service of Florida.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Profile: Bill Yeargin of Correct Craft
Clad all in black, tall, Bill Yeargin nonetheless strikes a self-effacing figure as he quietly returns greetings of “Hi, Bill” from the workers on the Correct Craft boat factory floor. His shirt has the company name and a slogan introduced under his management: “Making Life Better” — better for customers, but also workers and, he says, anyone else the company touches. Right now, the better life is in high demand. More from Florida Trend.
Senate confirms former Sen. Bill Nelson as new NASA administrator
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was confirmed as the new head of NASA in a unanimous Senate vote Thursday. Nelson faced questions and bipartisan support last week in a meeting of the Senate commerce, science and transportation committee in which he discussed continuing the Artemis program to send humans including the first woman back to the moon as well as reinvigorate Earth science missions. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Vaccinated Floridians don’t need to wear masks, state health advisory says
Fully vaccinated Floridians no longer need to wear masks in public, according to a new statewide health advisory issued on Thursday. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees announced the change in a public health advisory. The order states that vaccinated Floridians, who have received all necessary immunizations, no longer need to avoid social and recreational gatherings except in “limited circumstances.” More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Why are banks expanding in Tampa Bay? First Citrus Bank’s CEO explains
Anytime Tampa can be mentioned in a positive economic light alongside Austin, Nashville and Charlotte, it’s cause for local business leaders to celebrate. So the news that Tampa Bay, like those other booming cities, was among the U.S. markets that saw the most bank branch growth last year makes CEOs like Jack Barrett happy. “I think the economy for Tampa Bay is going to be very stable and continue to grow, just because there are too many tailwinds supporting that,” said Barrett, the CEO and president of Carrollwood-based First Citrus Bank. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of April 30th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida Dining
In Fort Lauderdale, the mystery of Timpano restaurant solved (almost)
Something is stirring at Timpano Italian Chophouse, a downtown Fort Lauderdale favorite for more than two decades that has been a shuttered enigma as Las Olas Boulevard has regained its signature bustle. Is Timpano, with its revered steaks and roasted mussels, returning? Maybe, maybe not. A restaurant is coming, for sure, but the menu and when exactly you’ll be able to get a table remains murky.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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