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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Even as discount chains grow, Publix remains dominant in Florida
German discount grocer Aldi saw an uptick in visits to its Florida stores in 2022 as food prices rose astronomically — but Publix Super Markets Inc. remains the Sunshine State's dominant grocer by far. Lakeland-based Publix saw the most visits of any grocer last year, with 653.3 million visits statewide. Winn-Dixie Inc. ranked second with more than 113 million visits. Grocers are major players in retail real estate development, remaining the go-to anchor of new developments even as other sectors of brick-and-mortar retail struggle to draw foot traffic. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Voters could decide constitutional right to hunt and fish on Florida 2024 ballot
Florida voters next year could decide whether to enshrine a right to hunt and fish in the state Constitution. House and Senate panels Monday began moving forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that says, in part, hunting and fishing “shall be preserved forever as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.” More from the News Service of Florida.
Cruise, port leaders at Seatrade conference in South Florida see fortunes rising post COVID-19
Passengers are returning to their favorite ships. And cruise line industry leaders are feeling better about their prospects after the COVID-19 pandemic nearly destroyed their businesses three years ago. Where do the world’s big cruise lines, a major cog in South Florida’s tourism industry, go from here? Answers emerged quickly Monday at the annual four-day Seatrade Cruise Global conference at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Jacksonville Zoo earns national recognition for Land of the Tiger exhibit
Home to critically endangered Malayan and Sumatran tigers, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has earned national recognition for its Land of the Tiger exhibit, which attracts as well as educates thousands of zoo visitors each year. Land of the Tiger is No. 5 on the USA TODAY Reader's Choice 10 Best Zoo Exhibits in the United States for 2023. The recognition is for "unique ways to engage with animals." More from the Florida Times-Union.
Bids top $1 billion for Miami waterfront land where Genting wanted to build casino
A mostly vacant 15-acre property on Biscayne Bay near downtown Miami, once slated for a massive casino resort before being put up for sale, has drawn five bids topping an eye-popping $1 billion, according to the real estate brokerage marketing the property. The land, former home to the Miami Herald and owned since 2014 by Malaysian casino giant Genting, is by far the largest privately owned vacant land remaining in and around downtown Miami. More from the Miami Herald.
Legal Trends
Central Florida courts inundated with civil cases as tort reform bill becomes law
Central Florida courts are in the throes of a massive surge of cases that were filed in anticipation of the bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday that protects insurers and businesses from lawsuits. The dramatic increase has affected circuits across the state, leading staffers to work overtime and administrators to begin measures to limit anticipated delays.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Recovery Efforts
Marina repairs
After sustaining damage from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, St. Augustine will receive $750,000 toward repairs for the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. The total cost for the repairs is projected to be $2 million. The Florida Inland Navigational District will give $500,000 toward the repairs, and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District will add another $250,000. The city will apply for FEMA reimbursement for the remaining costs.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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