March 28, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/11/2021

Nearing end of season, Florida citrus picture improves

Florida’s beleaguered citrus growers got a slight bump in their production forecast as the 2020-2021 season approaches its end. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday raised the projected output from Florida growers to be enough oranges to fill 52.7 million 90-pound boxes. But while the new forecast inched up, it continues to reflect troubles in the industry, which two decades ago filled more than 200 million boxes a year. More from the News Service of Florida.

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Climate First Bank plans to supercharge solar loan products

In 2008, Ken LaRoe started First Green Bank — a community bank in Orlando known for its solar-powered branches and residential solar loan programs. It merged with Seacoast Bank in 2018, and LaRoe is embarking on a new eco-focused bank, Climate First Bank, which opens this month on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. LaRoe says Climate First Bank plans to “supercharge” the sort of solar loan products that First Green Bank offered. More from the Florida Trend.

Ybor City ad agency finds being ready is what it takes to make it for more than 40 years

Amid the pandemic, as companies nationwide were at best barely surviving and at worst failing, it was mostly business as usual at an Ybor City advertising agency. Sure, there were bumps. People ditched the office to work from home. A client needed an ad cut immediately. There were concerns about health and how long this all would last. But considering a global pandemic had hit, upending the world’s economy and bringing normal life to a screeching halt, it was pretty much smooth sailing at ChappellRoberts.  More from the Business Observer.

Florida college athlete compensation rules taking shape

State colleges will have to provide financial workshops as part of a law taking effect July 1 that will allow student athletes to profit from their names, images and likenesses. Largely mirroring a proposal that will go before the state university system’s Board of Governors this month, the State Board of Education approved a set of rules Thursday to carry out the law. The Board of Education oversees state colleges, while the Board of Governors oversees state universities. More from the News Service of Florida.

Historic Jacksonville steam train to depart for restoration and use as a tourist attraction

A 101-year-old steam locomotive that once plied the steel ribbons between Jacksonville and Virginia, then was displayed downtown before its move to the Prime Osborn Convention Center's parking lot, has another journey to make. The City Council approval for the move came despite a local historian's efforts to stop what he called "the great train robbery," which will now see Atlantic Coast Line No. 1504 go to Clewiston to become the U.S. Sugar Corp.'s historic Sugar Express tourist train attraction. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Business BeatBusiness Beat - Week of June 11th

Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

 

 

Florida Dining
Bakery serving croissant creations comes to Audubon Park

floridaA bakery serving croissant waffles and croissant muffins is set to open in Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood this summer. Sugar Dough Bakehouse is expected to take over the 1,000-square-foot space that formerly held the Blue Bird Bake Shop at 3122 Corrine Drive, according to a news release.

» Read more from the Orlando Sentiniel.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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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.

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