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What you need to know about Florida today
Florida defies decline in population growth as nation becomes more diverse
The Census reported that the resident population of the United States, including the 50 states and the District of Columbia, was 331 million as of April 1, 2020, an increase of 7.4 percent since the 2010 Census. Florida remains the third most populous largest state with 21.5 million residents, compared to 39.5 million residents in California and 29.1 million residents in Texas. New York is fourth, with 20.2 million residents counted. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Tropical storm warning issued for Florida Keys as Fred takes aim at state
Tropical Depression Fred is moving northwest from Cuba, and should regain its tropical storm status in the next 12 hours. That projection triggered a tropical storm warning for the Florida Keys as the state’s west coast remains in Fred’s path, according to the National Hurricane Center. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Tampa Convention Center lands $16 million tourist tax investment
Hillsborough’s tourism leaders agreed Thursday to keep writing annual $2 million checks for the Tampa Convention Center. The Tourist Development Council authorized eight annual contributions totaling $16 million for ongoing and future renovations at the convention center. The money will come from annual tourist tax collections — a 6 percent surcharge over overnight accommodations. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Amid COVID-19 outbreak, Disney World firefighters lack sick leave, workers’ comp, union says
A COVID-19 outbreak at the Reedy Creek Fire Department — the agency that responds to emergency calls across Walt Disney World Resort — has highlighted the lack of support at the department for first responders who are exposed to or contract the virus, members of the agency’s union said. Jon Shirey, president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association, said contact tracing revealed 90 firefighters and paramedics of the department’s 205-person staff have been exposed to the coronavirus in the past two weeks and so far 10 have contracted COVID. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Sarasota-based company reports revenue growth of 87% in second quarter of 2021
Helios Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIO) reported net income of $30.1 million or $0.95 per share on an increase of 87% in net sales in the second quarter of 2021. Helios, one of the largest publicly traded companies in Southwest Florida, reported $223.4 million in net sales compared to 119.3 million in the second quarter of 2020. More from the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Business Beat - Week of August 13th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Event
Miami wants beer so badly it’s celebrating Octoberfest this September in Wynwood
Octoberfest doesn’t have to happen in October to be legit. It just has to involve beer. And so it will. Wynwood’s Octoberfest is back in September for the 11th year, transforming Wynwood Marketplace in Miami into a little slice of Munich. A humid, sweltering Munich — you seriously are going to want to skip the lederhosen — but Munich nonetheless.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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