March 28, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/2/2021

Elsa becomes first hurricane of the year; Florida in projected cone

Elsa strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2021 season Friday morning. Its five-day projection continues to include a projected landfall in Florida on Tuesday morning. Elsa’s hurricane development is 39 days ahead of when meteorologists typically observe the first hurricane formation of the season; which on average usually happens on Aug. 10, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s database. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan interested in purchasing Jacksonville Fairgrounds property

Jaguars owner Shad Khan's development firm is interested in purchasing the land that the Jacksonville Fairgrounds might be leaving for a future move to the Westside. Preliminary budget documents released this week show the city could set aside $27.2 million over a two-year period to help move the fairgrounds from the downtown sports complex out to an area around the Jacksonville Equestrian Center off Normandy Boulevard. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Red Tide, stench of dead fish threatens St. Petersburg’s Fourth of July

The Red Tide blooms that have afflicted the region for weeks, producing fish kills and respiratory warnings, is now sending waves of dead fish piling up from North Shore Park south to the St. Pete Pier to Demens Landing and Lassing Parks. The toxic algal blooms are a frequent menace along Florida’s west coast and it’s not unprecedented for outbreaks to occur within the bay. But Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission research scientist Kate Hubbard said this Red Tide outbreak stands out. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Red Lobster names Kelli Valade as new CEO

Red Lobster has named former Chili’s Grill & Bar brand president Kelli Valade as its new CEO following the retirement of Kim Lopdrup. Valade is slated to start at the Orlando-based seafood chain on Aug. 2. The company announced last Friday that Lopdrup would retire once a successor was in place. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Angel investors see record returns from Gainesville photo processors

A fund within Tamiami Angel Funds recently sold its shares of a Gainesville tech company that processes photos,pocketing 10 times its investment. Timothy Cartwright, chairman of the Naples-based fund, says in a press release the deal was the “largest exit value to date for any portfolio company in in Tamiami Angel’s family of four funds.” More from the Business Observer.

Business BeatBusiness Beat - Week of July 2nd

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

 

 

Out of the Box
A tree grows in the kitchen at a Gulfport listing on Zillow

floridaThe recently listed four-bedroom house in Gulfport has lovely pictures of marble countertops and a nice backyard. Then ... what’s this? A giant tree trunk is growing in the kitchen with its top sprouting through the roof. That’s a real oak tree, says real estate agent Stacey Purcell. There’s a two-level roof and the tree peeks out from the lower roof. Purcell is worried that insurance companies will insist the tree come down to make the sale. “It is an issue,” Purcell said. “Without that tree I’d have that house sold already.”

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

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.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.