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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
National Association of Realtors study says international buyers are back
Foreign buyers purchased $59 billion worth of U.S. existing homes over a one-year period (April 2021 through March 2022) – an 8.5% increase from the previous 12-month period and the end of a pandemic-led, three-year skid. The 98,600 existing homes sold – the lowest since NAR tracking began in 2009 – were down 7.9% year-to-year. Overall, however, Florida led the nation in welcoming foreign investment as one in four international buyers (24%) selected property in the Sunshine State. More from Florida Realtors.
If clean water is Florida’s ‘No. 1 issue,’ here’s why keeping grass green isn’t helping
Light aqua blue and seafoam green water so clear you can see to the bottom of white sand beaches. Gray manatees idling in the darker blue river mouths and canals lined with twisting masses of mangrove roots rising to yellow-green leaves. These are colors of Manatee County’s natural beauty that attract so many. More from the Bradenton Herald.
Officials: Starvation threat not over for Florida manatees
Between Jan. 1 and July 15, about 631 manatee deaths have been confirmed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. That compares with 864 during the same period last year, when a record number of manatees died mainly from a lack of seagrass food, which was decimated by water pollution. The five-year average of manatee deaths in that time frame is 481. More from WINK.
Fried, legislators propose new ride safety laws for small theme parks after Tyre Sampson death
The announcement came as Nikki Fried’s agency continues to investigate the death in March of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson on the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park. The framework, created by Fried’s agency with state Sen. Randolph Bracy and state Rep. Geraldine Thompson, would strengthen requirements for ride inspection, maintenance and certification along with accident reporting, documentation of safety systems, safety signs for riders and employee training. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Hillsborough budget plan tops $8.5 billion
County Administrator Bonnie Wise budget proposal, released Wednesday, is heavy on public safety spending. It includes nearly $40 million more for Sheriff Chad Chronister’s office, $10 million to renovate the county jail, more than $4 million for a new fire station in Sun City Center and 21 firefighters to staff it, upgrades to other fire-rescue units and $29 million for construction of a new warehouse for the emergency management and fire departments. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Giving Back
Attorney Mischelle D'Angelone reflects on her childhood and why she does so much pro bono work
“As I sit here today, my mom is still an alcoholic and meth user at age 80, and both of my siblings struggle with addiction. My maternal family has a long history of drug use and sexual abuse. I was in and out of foster care, often returned to my mom, even when I didn't want to go back to her. The system was not set up to house me long term, so they simply sent me back until the next event and then removed me again. I was lucky enough to spend summers with my grandmother, who instilled a love of reading, which is what kept me sane and also served me well in academics.
» More from Florida Trend.
Art Industry
Local artist shines light on business in the industry
As it turns out, the mind behind those quirky, well-known Chad Mize, the artist and painter of several large scale outdoor murals in St. Petersburg's central and downtown business districts — and creator of those top-selling shirts — has owned two galleries in his career. He's also made it for two decades as a freelance artist. While the trend of freelancing in a host of industries has grown significantly in recent years, doing it in the art world — the phrase starving artist comes to mind —is no easy feat. Mize, who has done everything from design, animation and painting to illustration, art direction and character development, has come to embrace the solo life.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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