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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Can’t find a doctor? Florida facing physician shortage amid growth, aging population
If it’s taking you longer to get in to see a doctor for a checkup or health issue, you’re not alone. A shortage of physicians is making it harder to get appointments and the shortage is likely to get more acute. “South Florida already has a shortage of physicians,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Cendan, interim dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. “Today, we have about 55,000 doctors in the state. And we should have about 59,000.” [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida among the top talent pools for major tech firms
Florida is among the top 10 states in the nation where large tech firms find a majority of their employees, according to a new report. According to a survey by TonerGiant, Florida ranks at No. 9 nationally as a talent pool for 26 of the biggest tech companies in the nation, including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. More than 13,000 graduates from Florida universities work or have worked at a major tech firm since graduating, according to LinkedIn data analyzed by TonerGiant. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]
As home insurance firms fail, Citizens Insurance heads toward 1 million policies
As more private home insurance carriers enter receivership, Citizens property insurance is projected to hit over 1 million policies this year, according to local residential insurer experts. One of the biggest challenges Citizens is facing is the increasing policy rates caused by more home insurance companies becoming insolvent that the state has been attempting to depopulate, said Sha`Ron James, insurance attorney at Gunster law firm and former Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate. [Source: Miami Today]
Florida ready to wrap up manatee feeding efforts, leaving sea cows to fend for themselves
Manatees warmed this winter to state biologists' efforts to feed them at the spot where Indian River Lagoon water enters and exits Florida Power & Light Co.'s power plant in Port St. John. Soon, however, as the water temperature climbs and the sea cows began to leave the power plant's balmy discharge area, the FWC's lettuce feeding station there will go away too. Then the manatees will once again have to fend for themselves in foul, stagnant waters of the Indian River Lagoon where the giant mammal's staple diet of seagrass is all but gone. [Source: Florida Today]
Disney workers plan walkout to protest Florida’s ‘don’t say gay’ bill
Disney workers are planning walkouts this week to protest CEO Bob Chapek’s slow response in publicly criticizing Florida legislation that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The act of protest will culminate next Tuesday with a general walkout by LGBTQ workers and their supporters at Disney worksites in California, Florida and elsewhere, the group of Disney employees said this week on their website. [Source: AP News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Diapers will be tax free in Florida, starting on July 1
There will be a little wiggle room in parents’ budgets this summer: Diapers are going to be tax-free in Florida for one year. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, originally sponsored the bill for diapers to be tax-free permanently, but the revised version that was passed by the Legislature is for one year. It also includes baby clothes. The savings starts July 1.
› Jabil sells $32M in St. Petersburg land for housing, industrial projects
One of Tampa Bay’s biggest public companies has sold more than 93 acres of land in St. Petersburg’s Gateway district for $32 million, clearing the way for a major industrial and residential development. Technology giant Jabil Inc. sold two parcels at the northwest corner of Gandy Boulevard and Interstate 275 to limited liability corporations managed by Charleston, S.C.’s Greystar, one of the world’s biggest developers of rental properties. The deal closed on Tuesday, according to Pinellas County property records.
› Florida bird flu: Outbreak spreads to 38 cases in 5 counties and 'hundreds more' estimated
A first-of-its-kind outbreak is growing in Florida. Five counties, including Martin, have 38 confirmed cases of an "extremely infectious" new bird flu strain, and wildlife officials suspect there are "hundreds more" unconfirmed cases, including in Indian River, according to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Brevard County appears to be the epicenter of the outbreak.
› Chef Art Smith dishes on his project to revitalize the American diner at Orlando airport
Celebrity chef Art Smith wants to bring back the American diner with a new Orlando restaurant, and his plan calls for an eatery more in line with today’s trends and features dishes showing off Florida cuisine. That means a full bar, fresh fruit and key lime pie will be among the things on the menu, he said.
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