March 28, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/14/2022

In addition to high-profile races, voters to decide tax breaks, fate of commission

As they elect a governor, a U.S. senator and numerous state and local officials, Florida voters in November will decide whether to approve two property-tax measures and the fate of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Lawmakers placed three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, including two that would provide property-tax breaks. See snapshots of the proposals. More from the News Service of Florida.

New ALS drug funded by Ice Bucket Challenge already in use in South Florida trials

While the country awaits federal approval of a new ALS drug, people in South Florida with the disease already are using it. The experimental drug called AMX0035 will be considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 29. and, if approved, would give patients with the degenerative disease hope for slowing the progression. At Holy Cross Health and NSU Health Neuroscience Institute, ALS specialists began enrolling participants in a major clinical trial for the drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in July. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Orange pours $50.8 million more into housing strategy that aims to double affordable units

Orange County’s first three-year affordable-housing plan, launched the month COVID-19 shuttered theme parks and other hospitality businesses, will soon produce about 1,300 below-market-price living spaces, but the next plan aims to be two times better. It’s also going to cost about $17 million more. The newly-adopted plan, recommended by an affordable housing advisory board, calls for $50.8 million in public funding. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

David Beckham’s Miami soccer stadium plan scores key victory with final zoning approval

David Beckham’s plan to build a stadium for his soccer team in the city of Miami cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday by winning the final zoning vote that will allow construction to begin in the near future. Beckham and local co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas received the commission votes necessary to pave the way for applying for permits and breaking ground on the Miami Freedom Park project that also envisions space for shops, offices and a park. More from the Miami Herald.

No COVID-19 restrictions planned for 2023 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

After two turbulent years that featured virtual runs, vaccine proof and varying degrees of discontent among entrants, the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic is returning to normal. Race organizers announced Tuesday that no COVID-19 mitigation measures are planned for the 2023 event, set for the weekend of Feb. 24-26 in downtown Tampa. Unlike this past winter’s race, anyone running or attending the “8 on Your Side” Health & Fitness Expo will not have to provide a proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Travel Trends
‘Florida Road Trip’ returns with bigger focus on Sept. 15

WUCF’s Emmy Award-winning Florida travel and history series is returning this week for a second season with a truncated title but an expanded focus. The show formerly known as “Central Florida Road Trip” is now “Florida Road Trip,” and has expanded to cover the whole state. Viewers will join veteran journalist Buddy Pittman as he explores new destinations across the state.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Profile
A 12-year-old boy is learning about business, and life, slinging snow cones in Florida

Dreyton McDonald knows he's not a regular kid and he likes it that way. "I guess you can say, I'm a businessman, ma'am," the 12-year-old politely told NPR. And he has been for several years now. At age 9, he said his father, Dominic McDonald, approached him with a proposition: "My dad told me to choose between selling doughnuts or selling snow cones and I didn't want to sell doughnuts," he explained. With that, the elder McDonald was off to buy his son a 14-by-8-foot trailer that's been converted into a mobile snow cone shop called Ice Ice Dreyton.

» Read more from NPR.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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