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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
State of emergency declared in 30 counties after cold front slams Florida farms
Plummeting temperatures last weekend have farmers scrambling to save their crops, like the Valencia oranges almost ready for picking. So Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an emergency order that covers 30 counties to help with an emergency harvest. DeSantis’ declaration, reaching as far north as Volusia County, south to the Florida Keys, will suspend agricultural trucks’ weight limits, among other provisions, to help farmers cope. More from Florida Politics and Click Orlando.
Tallahassee Chamber's Economic Forecast highlights workforce gaps, inflation, supply chain challenges
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce challenges remain one of the largest issues impacting local businesses. More than 200 business leaders and others gathered earlier this week at the annual Economic Forecast hosted by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to address economic indicators and predictions, including a snapshot of the Chamber's Community Scorecard. Chamber President and CEO Sue Dick said talent and workforce gaps were an issue before but it's now amplified by the pandemic, new work-space structures and scheduling. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.
Florida lawmakers again take aim at government ads appearing in newspapers
Newspaper publishers and press advocates say they thought they had a deal. A 2021 bill, House Bill 35, changed the way legal notices are published in Florida. Instead of requiring their publication in paid newspapers, the bill allowed legal notices to be posted in free publications and on newspaper websites. Lawmakers hoped to open the market for the notices to greater competition, driving costs down for the local governments required to post them. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami receives $5.25 million from MiamiCoin. Mayor has ideas about how to spend it.
The city of Miami this week received a wire transfer of $5.25 million from MiamiCoin, the first donation from a cryptocurrency project designed to raise money for municipalities. The city received a total of $5,250,251.19 in U.S. dollars, according to an email sent to the mayor by the city’s finance department. More from the Miami Herald.
Landstar earnings exceed its expectations, surge by 50%
Landstar System Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded even the company’s expectations, CEO Jim Gattoni said. “It would be an understatement to say 2021 was an outstanding year for Landstar,” Gattoni said in the Jacksonville-based trucking company’s quarterly conference call Jan. 27. Landstar said fourth-quarter revenue soared 50% to $1.945 billion and earnings of $2.99 a share were $1.29 higher than the fourth quarter of 2020. More from the Jackasonville Daily Record.
Arts Business
Creative Pinellas offers relief grants and discussions on the state of the arts
Two opportunities through Creative Pinellas, the county’s arts agency, aim to strengthen its mission to “foster and sustain a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative arts community across Pinellas County.” Pinellas Recovers Grants will distribute funds to the arts community, while We Convene will bring a series of discussions on how to move forward.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Profile
Miami’s most celebrated pastry chef has a new gig
Hedy Goldsmith has a long line of loyal followers chasing the cookies, cakes and comfort food desserts that made her one of the country’s premier pastry chefs at top Miami restaurants. Now, she has landed at new spot. Goldsmith, a three-time James Beard award nominee who made her name alongside chef Michael Schwartz, has rejoined a Michael’s Genuine alum at the new-ish Abbale Telavivian Kitchen in Miami Beach.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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