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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Polls show inflation, economy driving factors in midterm elections
With the election less than a week away, the big question is: can the candidates change voters' minds with the economy at the forefront? Some recent polls have shown inflation and the economy as the driving factor in midterms. A new POLITICO-Morning Consult poll shows voters' views on the economy could be set in stone. More than 60% of voters said they believe the U.S. is in a recession. More from WPTV, WFLA, and Axios.
Hurricane Ian’s deadly toll on Florida seniors exposes need for new strategies
All kinds of natural disasters — hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, dangerous heat waves — pose substantial risks to older adults. Yet, not enough seniors prepare for these events in advance, and efforts to encourage them to do so have been largely unsuccessful. The most recent horrific example was Hurricane Ian, the massive storm that in September smashed into Florida’s southwestern coast — a haven for retirees — with winds up to 150 mph and storm surges exceeding 12 feet in some areas. At least 120 people died, most of them in Florida. Of those who perished, two-thirds were 60 or older. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Non-farmers bumped from Florida's soil and water conservation district boards
Soil and water are the origin of what we eat and drink — linchpins of Florida's future growth. How we manage them winds up in front of the state's 55 unsung soil and water conservation districts. Few know of them or go to their meetings. They don't have much of a budget. Their decisions indirectly affect us all. Under a change in state law this year, however, only those with current or at least a decade of past farming-related experience are allowed a seat on local soil and water conservation districts. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida researchers get funding to help tomato growers and breeders fight bacterial spot
Florida scientists received a grant to investigate strategies to control bacterial spot in tomatoes. The disease creates major challenges for commercial production throughout Florida and across the United States. Tomatoes represent a $1.9 billion-a-year crop planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. [Source: WUSF]
Florida loses satellite factory project with thousands of jobs to California
Terran Orbital Corp. has scrapped plans for the $300 million satellite production facility it planned to build on Florida's Space Coast, which the Boca Raton-based company instead will build in California. Terran Orbital's expansion to Central Florida would have brought 2,100 high-wage jobs and millions of dollars in construction and development to the region. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Publix sees higher sales but lower net earningss
Publix Super Markets kept up its strong sales growth pace in the fiscal 2022 third quarter but again saw instability in the stock market impact its bottom line. For the quarter ended Sept. 24, net sales surged 9.2% to $13 billion from $11.9 billion in the 2021 third quarter, when sales climbed 7.8%, Publix reported Tuesday. The Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain also saw sequential growth in Q3, as net sales edged up 0.8% from $12.9 billion in the 2022 second quarter.
› IAAPA promotes attractions veteran to president and CEO
Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has appointed Jakob Wahl, a current association executive and veteran of the amusement industry, as its new president and CEO. Wahl currently serves as IAAPA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was appointed to the job in November 2021 but his career with IAAPA spans a decade, according to the association. His promotion, announced Wednesday, will take effect Jan. 1 as the association’s current chief executive Hal McEvoy steps down.
› Miami Art Week return spurs Wynwood arts district
Wynwood’s art scene is making a comeback with the return of Miami Art Week. Starting Nov. 29, Miami Art Week is one of the key catalysts that created Wynwood’s immense influence and earned its global recognition as a premier destination for art, fashion, innovation and creativity, said Manny Gonzalez, Wynwood BID’s executive director.
› Federal judge slaps down Jacksonville's request to halt order to redraw City Council map
Jacksonville remains under a fast-track timeline to draw a new map for the spring 2023 City Council elections after federal Judge Marcia Morales Howard denied the city's request to put a hold on her order that tossed a redistricting map the city approved earlier this year. Howard's order found the city used unconstitutional racial gerrymandering in how it drew the boundaries of seven City Council districts located north and west of the St. Johns River.
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