SHARE:
Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
A giant seaweed bloom that can be seen from space threatens beaches in Florida
A raft of brown-colored seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean is so vast it can be seen from space. Spanning roughly 5,000 miles — about twice the width of the United States — the thick blanket of sargassum floats between the Gulf of Mexico and the shores of West Africa. Scientists say this bloom is one of the largest on record, stoking fears that seaweed invasions of beaches in the coming weeks and months could be particularly severe. More from NBC Newsand Fox 35 Orlando.
Commentary: Six guiding reflections for Florida entrepreneurs
As we move forward into a new era of entrepreneurship, it's important to shift our focus from high revenue multiples to value creation. By prioritizing strong fundamentals, companies can not only weather the current economic slowdown but also create massive shareholder value in the future. This shift in mindset is key to navigating the uncertain times ahead and staying competitive in a constantly evolving business landscape. More from Florida Trend.
Why developers are delaying new projects in South Florida
Across South Florida, developers are focused on zoning and site plan approvals, but they won’t start construction until some aspect of their building costs moderates. The pause on development projects isn’t across the board, as many developers are well-capitalized or secured preferred equity infusions with ease, while others were not so lucky. More from the Real Deal.
Splashdown! NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 returns to Earth after nearly six months aboard the ISS
NASA's Crew-5 mission wrapped up Saturday night in the Gulf of Mexico with the splashdown return of a SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying a crew of four astronauts. After nearly six months in space, NASA's Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japan's Koichi Wakata, and Russia's Anna Kikina departed the International Space Station at 2:20 a.m. EST Saturday before blazing through the atmosphere, their heat shield enduring temperatures up to 3,500 degrees. More from Florida Today.
New College diversity dean fired despite report recommending transfer
New College of Florida Interim President Richard Corcoran recently fired the school's dean for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, removing a prominent campus leader despite a report suggesting the dean could be moved into an open position rather than being terminated as part of a plan to abolish the school's DEI office. A few days after firing the dean, Corcoran hired to oversee admissions a former Republican Party operative who belongs to the National Rifle Association and the conservative Heritage Foundation and once worked for an organization deemed an "anti-LGBTQ" hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. More from the Sarasota Herlad-Tribune.
Sports Business
St. Pete mayor expresses ‘full faith’ Rays will remain in city
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch says he has “full faith” that the Tampa Bay Rays and their development partner, Hines, will execute the Tropicana Field redevelopment proposal that Welch chose Jan. 30 over three other bids. Welch and two city staff members, Economic and Workforce Development Director Brian Caper and Community and Neighborhood Affairs Administrator James Corbett, appeared at an Urban Land Institute StimULI Breakfast on Thursday, March 9, at the Birchwood Inn in downtown St. Pete.
» More from the Business Observer.
Retail Trends
Is that really a Publix? What to know about these smaller specialty stores in Florida
Walk into GreenWise Market and you may get the feels of a Whole Foods Market. You’ll see a focus on organic products, a pizza counter, wine and cheese, prepared foods, a coffee bar. The sign outside is green, but this is not your typical Publix. The newest GreenWise markets opened in 2021 in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. A Boca Raton location opened in 2019.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
In case you missed it:
