SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Major development lands international restaurant chain as tenant
An international restaurant chain plans to open an eatery in its third U.S. city early next year, this one in Tampa. Wagamama, a British chain that specializes Asian-inspired cuisine, will open in the Water Street district at the residential development located at 1050 Water Street. The chain’s other locations in the U.S. are in Boston and New York. The company has 200 locations worldwide.
› Would you pay more sales tax to get a free heart test? Broward is considering it.
Broward voters might get to choose if they want to pay more money on most everything they buy in exchange for a free medical test that can detect heart disease. County Commissioner Mark Bogen said he wants voters to decide whether they are willing to ante up money through a new half-penny sales tax to pay for the cardiac screenings. Food and gas could be exempt from the new tax.
› Florida pension leader says state is on track to divest Unilever
Florida's top pension investment officer said on Tuesday he expects the state will divest Unilever PLC (ULVR.L) in October after the company's Ben & Jerry's brand halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ash Williams, chief investment officer of the Florida State Board of Administration, which oversees pension assets, said at a webcast state hearing that "we've not seen any meaningful response from Unilever" after discussions with the company.
› Florida Orchestra returns to full concerts in Tampa Bay
The Florida Orchestra kicks off its 2021-22 season Sept. 24-26, returning to a full symphony after performing with a fraction of musicians last season. Concerts will also return to traditional lengths, with audiences at full capacity. More venues also return: Performances will take place at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
In case you missed it:
