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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida citrus forecast takes another hit
The forecast of Florida’s orange production dropped again Wednesday, as efforts intensify to assist citrus growers who sustained damage in Hurricane Ian. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a revised forecast that said Florida growers will fill 16 million 90-pound boxes of oranges during the current season. That is down from a January forecast of 18 million boxes and would be the lowest amount since 15.9 million boxes were filled in the 1935-1936 season. The revised forecast did not change projections for grapefruit and specialty citrus fruits, which also could see the lowest production in decades. More from the News Service of Florida.
Over 100 Haitian migrants make landfall in Florida Keys
Over 100 Haitian migrants made landfall Thursday morning in the Florida Keys near the city of Tavernier, officials said. U.S. Border Patrol officials said agents responded and found 114 migrants, who were being given medical screenings by local first responders. Photos released by Border Patrol showed the large group of migrants sitting on the beach, as well as the small sailing vessel they arrived on. More from NBC Miamiand the Miami Herald.
Vaxxinity moves HQ, jobs to Florida's Space Coast from Texas
A public biotech company has moved its headquarters to Central Florida from Texas. Vaxxinity Inc. (Nasdaq: VAXX) established its 7,600-square-foot headquarters at 505 Odyssey Way in Cape Canaveral at the start of February. The company moved into the Exploration Park hub outside of Kennedy Space Center from its prior location in Dallas. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Financial woes increase pet surrenders in Sarasota and Mantee counties
Pet shelters in Sarasota and Manatee counties have seen an increase in pet surrenders due to financial woes and pet behavioral issues. Alissa Jackson, marketing coordinator for the Humane Society of Sarasota County, said the housing crisis has played a big role in pet surrenders. "We've been trying to be more of a community resource because the need is there," Jackson said. Pet surrenders were up 8% in 2022 compared to the previous year, with 522 pets surrendered, according to data from the Humane Society of Sarasota County. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
JPMorgan Chase CEO reaffirms commitment to Miami’s small firms, diversity in tech sector
JPMorgan Chase CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon came to downtown Miami Wednesday to announce the global company’s plan to hire 125 bankers by the end of the year to better serve the city’s small business community. As housing prices remain unaffordable for many in America, especially in cities like Miami, and a possible U.S. recession looms, that presents two vexing challenges for operators of small companies who depend on local workers. More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
Two St. Petersburg dogs to play Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XIX
Ruff! Ruff! Hike! Two St. Petersburg pooches will join 120 other rescue dogs taking the field during Sunday’s Puppy Bowl XIX. Max, a 6 month-old lab/pointer mix saved in Jamaica, and Nancy, a 6 month-old terrier mix from Puerto Rico, will don orange bananas as part of Team Fluff (their opponents, in blue, are Team Ruff).
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Profile
Rocket Booster
Growing up in Satellite Beach, Janet Petro enjoyed a front row seat to the U.S. space program. Her father, who worked for Chrysler, moved the family from Michigan to the Space Coast in the early 1960s to help the automaker build spacecraft consoles that astronauts could operate. He ended up working on the Gemini, Mercury, Apollo and space shuttle programs. Petro recalls her family navigating their way through dunes strewn with sea oats — “there were no condos at the time,” she says — to witness rocket launches from the beach.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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