Money continues pouring into gambling initiatives
Two companies last month poured more than $22.7 million into separate ballot initiatives aimed at expanding gambling in Florida. Online platform DraftKings, Inc. contributed $12.71 million to a political committee known as Florida Education Champions, according to finance reports posted Wednesday on the state Division of Elections website. That brought the total contributed by DraftKings to $22.71 million, while another online platform, FanDuel, has contributed $10 million in cash and made $106,000 in in-kind contributions. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of November 12th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
How Florida’s ‘two-strikes’ law leads to life sentences
An investigation by The Marshall Project and the Tampa Bay Times shows how a law passed in the 1990s contributes to Florida leading the nation in people serving life prison sentences without the chance of parole. The so-called ‘two-strikes’ law, more formally called the Prison Releasee Reoffender law, results in people getting life sentences for committing crimes within a few years of their release from prison. Often these crimes are robberies, burglaries or thefts in which no one is injured. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Experts say artificial intelligence will boost Florida's economy
Gainesville is making waves in the realm of artificial intelligence. The Greater Gainesville Chamber and the University of Florida have paired up to launch AI Central, an economic initiative to make North Central Florida the national and global center for artificial intelligence. AI Central projects that in the next ten years 70% of companies will be using some form of AI.[Source: WGFL]
Winter the dolphin dies at Clearwater aquarium
Winter the dolphin, the beloved star of the “Dolphin Tale” movies whose story of resilience with a prosthetic tail, and recent illness, captured attention around the world, has died. Winter died at about 7:45 p.m. as she was being prepped for exploratory surgery to treat an intestinal blockage at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, according to aquarium board chairperson Paul Auslander. She was 16. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› State fuel reserve idea re-emerges
Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, is taking another run at establishing a strategic fuel reserve to help deal with hurricanes and other disasters. Farmer on Wednesday filed a proposal (SB 894) that calls for creating a nine-member task force to develop a fuel-reserve plan by April 30, 2023. The governor, House speaker and Senate president would each appoint three members to the task force.
› Rivian Autmotive, founded by a Brevard native, goes public. It's now worth $100 billion.
The company behind Wall Street's hottest new stock got its start in an industrial park in Rockledge just over a decade ago. Electric vehicle maker Rivian Autmotive starting selling shares on Nasdaq Wednesday. By late afternoon shares were going for more than $100 a share, making the total market value of the company more than $100 billion, more than Ford or General Motors.
› Princess Cruises makes Florida return with new ship
Princess Cruises is back to business in Florida after welcoming passengers on board its newest hardware for the inaugural sailing of Enchanted Princess. The Wednesday sailing from Port Everglades marked the return to the state after nearly 19 months since business shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
› Publix's growth leads to more officer promotions
To support the grocery retailer’s growth, Publix Super Market CEO Todd Jones announced Wednesday that two officers will be promoted effective Jan. 1. Chris Mesa, director of tax and treasury, will be promoted to vice president and controller, a Publix press release stated. Doug Stalbaum joined the company in 2019 as director of business analysis and reporting and will also be promoted to vice president and controller, the release stated.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› USF, McKibbon Hospitality join to train students headed for hotel careers
A new partnership will give University of South Florida students the opportunity to get hands-on hospitality training at more than 100 locations across the country. The university’s Muma College of Business and Tampa-based McKibbon Hospitality signed an agreement Wednesday creating a teaching lab that will allow students in the college’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to gain experience at McKibbon properties, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG hotels.
› Florida Solar Industry Leader Rebrands to Sailfish Solar
Martin County Solar and several of its regional affiliates have rebranded their corporate identity to Sailfish Solar. The move consolidates seven statewide offices under the same banner. As Florida's solar industry enters a fifth year of exponential growth, Sailfish Solar is poised to remain a leader on the cutting edge of solar solutions that benefit the consumer and the grid alike.
› New program to facilitate growth at Central Florida businesses operating in high-tech ‘clusters’
When Florida High Tech Corridor Council CEO Paul Sohl on Nov. 9 presented to Orange County commissioners, he was happy to get peppered with questions and feedback. To Sohl, it was evidence the county leaders were engaged with the strategy he was unveiling: Cenfluence, the name of an industry cluster initiative spearheaded by the council and Orange County’s government.
› Gore Nature Education Center in Collier County teaching the importance of preservation
There is a new place in Southwest Florida to learn about nature and endangered species. It is called the Gore Nature Education Center and it is opening its door for the first time on Sunday. One of the main focuses of the education center is to share knowledge about preserving the native habitats in Southwest Florida.