SHARE:
Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
10 big legal issues to watch in 2022
From elections to vaccines, state and federal courts are weighing major Florida lawsuits. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch in 2022:
— ELECTIONS: With high-profile elections looming in November, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is slated to start a trial Jan. 31 in challenges by voting-rights groups to a controversial new elections law. Among other things, the law made it harder for Floridians to cast ballots by mail and added restrictions to drop boxes, where voters can drop off completed ballots. See the full list at the News Service of Florida.
Tampa Bay’s top 10 largest public companies for 2022: New names lead the way
The last time the Tampa Bay Times compiled a list of Tampa Bay’s 10 largest public companies was in late 2019, less than four months before the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, half of the companies on that list have sold or merged, with five more taking their place — a remarkable pace of turnover for one metropolitan region, especially during a time fraught with economic uncertainty. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Orlando White Castle stays super busy selling sliders; executive hints at Florida expansion
Orlando’s nearly 8-month-old White Castle is on pace to set a single-year sales record for the chain, an obviously positive sign for the company’s future in the state. “This exceeds every sales record so far that we had set previously,” said White Castle vice president Jamie Richardson. “Certainly it would irresponsible of us not to consider what might come next in Florida.” More from the Orlando Sentinel.
FAA shoots down Lakeland's first plan to reduce jet noise
Instead of fulfilling a spring promise to reduce noise from the rumble of jet engines over Lakeland, city officials are vowing to try again in 2022. Lakeland city commissioners approved a $201,150 contract with Texas-based Hughes Aerospace Corp. to develop a "parkway approach" to Lakeland Linder International Airport. It will be the commission's second attempt after the Federal Aviation Administration shot down a previous plan submitted by the city earlier this year. More from the Lakeland Ledger.
New effort by FIU, Miami mayor focuses on cutting checks to minority women tech company founders
As part of a push to broaden Miami tech’s diversity, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s Venture Miami group is partnering with Florida International University to recruit female, minority-owned startups and connect them with investor networks. The purpose is straightforward, said Kenasha Paul, Venture Miami’s newly appointed opportunity director: Sign deals and cut checks for underrepresented founders of technology firms. More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
What's the Staten Island ferry doing at a Port Canaveral cargo pier?
Some visitors to Port Canaveral no doubt did a double-take this week, when they spotted a Staten Island ferry docked in a cargo berth east of the port's Cove restaurant district. The ferry made a stop at Port Canaveral en route from a Gulf Coast shipyard where it was built to New York City, where it will enter service in 2022.
» More from Florida Today.
Business Profile
Defcon Products, LLC
Defcon Products, LLC, the Venice-based manufacturer and.distributor of innovative lockdown devices, TeacherLock and SaberLock, announced on Dec. 17 that the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted to the Company U.S. Patent No. 11214986, entitled “Emergency Deadbolt Device.” The granted patent relates to the unique functionality which allows the fast and efficient locking of a door in an emergency, preventing or delaying access by intruders, active shooters or other unauthorized persons.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
In case you missed it:
