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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida tax revenue continues to exceed expectations
Tax revenue in the Sunshine State is exceeding projections, according to a recent report from the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. General revenue collections for April showed a gain of $384.8 million, 7.9% higher than what was forecast by the General Revenue Estimating Conference held in March with 72% of that revenue from corporate income tax. Revenue reports in Florida, unlike other states, are a month behind. More from the Center Square.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan brings big bucks and deal-making track record in stadium talks
While diners ate chicken wings in a sports bar where video screens showed renderings of a rebuilt TIAA Bank Field, Jaguars owner Shad Khan made a surprise appearance at the team's first community meeting about renovating the football stadium at a cost of up to $1.4 billion. Khan watched the presentation while standing at the back of the room, but in the coming talks with the city, he will be a central figure in his biggest round of football-related negotiations since he struck a deal to buy the franchise 11 years ago. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Farmers Insurance Group stops writing new property policies in Florida
We are almost two weeks into hurricane season. That means now is the time to make sure your property insurance is taken care of. But we're learning there is just one less option in the Florida market. "Over the past 18 months in Florida, we've had 15 companies decide to stop writing new business," Mark Friedlander, the Insurance Information Institute's spokesperson, said. More from WESH.
Polk County is the fastest-growing county in Florida
Polk County is the fastest-growing county in Florida and the seventh fastest-growing in the nation, according to a new study. The United Community Needs Assessment (UCNA) gives an overview of the needs by residents. The two-year study by the GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida included focus groups and surveys to compile the data. More from WTVT.
Disney Cruise Line opens up its new Lighthouse Point to Port Canaveral sailings
When Disney Cruise Line’s new private Bahamas destination Lighthouse Point first welcomes customers next summer, they’ll be sailing from South Florida. But in the fall, the line will finally allow one of its Port Canaveral-based ships to visit as well. The cruise line announced Tuesday its fall 2024 itineraries including several visits from Disney Fantasy sailing out of the Orlando-area port while also keeping two ships sailing out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale with normal visits to Lighthouse Point. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Betting on bugs
Tech entrepreneur Trina Chiasson is farming insects to feed animals and help the environment. "About 20% of Americans are interested in eating bugs, but that means 80% maybe not so much and that's OK — the dog and cat food market is huge," she says.
» More from Florida Trend.
Profile
Beyond Weeki Wachee: How Florida’s freelance merman got TikTok-famous
Andrew Corter sat up on his beach mat next to the edge of the swimming hole, wriggling into the tight red tail one leg at a time. Corter, known to his 132,000 TikTok followers as @mermanandrew, makes his living underwater. In tanks and aquariums across North America, he’s delighted audiences while staying below the surface for two to four minutes at a time. But before he would plunge into the 12-foot-deep waters of Rainbow Springs State Park, it was time to breathe.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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