March 19, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/17/2021

Florida lawmakers reconvene for special session on gambling

Florida lawmakers reconvene Monday for a special session to consider a new 30-year gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe that would expand gambling and legalize sports betting in the country’s third most populous state. But the fate of the new compact is uncertain because of opposition from some business groups and legislative conservatives who object to expanding gambling on moral grounds and because of concerns over increased crime. The deal would give the state at least $2.5 billion over the first five years and at least $6 billion from the Tribe by 2030. State officials say the pact would create 2,200 new jobs. More from WINK Newsand WFLA.

Florida dodges major gas price hike amid pipeline disruption

After a temporary interruption to the Colonial Pipeline caused a significant spike, gas prices in the Sunshine State stabilized last week, adding just a penny to the average price at the pump, according to AAA Florida Auto Club data released Monday. The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida stands at $2.89 as of Monday, up from $2.88 a week ago. But last week’s price was a notable 10 cents more than the previous week because of a cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline that stretches from Texas the U.S. eastern seaboard. More from Florida Politics.

‘Impending disaster.’ Worsening algae bloom on Lake Okeechobee threatens coasts again

The scene at Pahokee marina on Lake Okeechobee last week was a warning sign: A thick mat of algae in various shades of green, brown, gray and fluorescent blue covered the area around boat slips. In some spots, the gunk was so dense it stuck out two inches above the water. Elsewhere on the lake, the algae wasn’t as chunky, but satellite photos were just as shocking.  More from the Miami Herald.

Hurricane Facts: How many storms can be in the Atlantic at one time?

Last September meteorologists witnessed a rare event: Five named tropical systems spinning in the Atlantic basin — at the same time. Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Storm Sally, Tropical Storm Teddy, Tropical Storm Vicky and Tropical Depression Rene were seen together on a single satellite image. It was the second time in hurricane season history that five or more systems were churning in Atlantic waters at the same time. Technically speaking it was four named storms with Rene becoming remnants, but it was still a rare sight to see. More from the Orlando Sentinel .

Fintech veteran solves big banking problem: how to securely send money around the globe

Gary Palmer is no stranger to the world of banking innovation. The serial entrepreneur has been building software for the finance world for more than 20 years. In the late 1990s, the fintech pioneer co-founded WildCard Systems, credited with inventing prepaid Visa cards and Mastercards. That company sold for more than a quarter of a billion dollars in 2005 and its acquirer, Efunds, was purchased by publicly traded FIS for $1.8 billion in 2007. More from the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
'You get that dream job': How a Northeast Florida woman's low point turned into TikTok virality

 After losing her dream job and being forced to move back in with her parents in St. Johns County, Danielle Dziwulski was feeling pretty down. But her 9-year-old sister, Jess, wasn't going to stand for it. Her now-viral pep talk has reached the masses on TikTok and beyond. Danielle, like many other 25-year-olds across the country, hit a low point during the coronavirus pandemic. After graduating from the University of South Florida, she had just moved to New York City and signed a two-year lease when things started unraveling.

» More from the Florida Times-Union.

 

Business Observer
Timilon Corp.

floridaWhen air quality became a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, Timilon Corp. was ready to help businesses, medical offices, schools and other consumers find solutions to address this of-the-moment need. The Bonita Springs-based firm incorporates nanotechnology that uses safe earth minerals to create products and systems to capture and destroy airborne toxic and noxious gasses, particulates, allergens, bacteria and viruses.

» Read more from the Business Observer.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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