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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
How Florida companies are helping finance the dramatic growth of Cuba’s private businesses
The money that families have sent to their relatives in Cuba for decades is now fueling an explosion of capitalism on the communist island. Businesses that facilitate that flow of cash have created a clever but complex system that is helping Cuban private entrepreneurs sidestep U.S. financial sanctions and buy abroad the supplies they need for their businesses on the island. Over the past two years, after Cuba’s government authorized Cubans to own micro, small and medium-sized businesses in 2021, the money collected from families has become a crucial part of a dramatic expansion of the private sector in Cuba. More from the MiamiHerald.
Ozempic, Wegovy maker sues Florida companies for selling unapproved versions of weight-loss drugs
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, filed lawsuits against a Miami and a Tallahassee business for illegally selling off-brand versions of its medications popular for weight loss. Novo Nordisk claims the two Florida businesses, Nuvida Rx Weight Loss Clinic in Tallahassee and Cosmetic Laser Professionals Med Spa in Miami, are engaging in false advertising, trademark infringement and unlawful sales of non FDA-approved compounded products intended to mimic their drugs. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Gainesville retains outside counsel to fight looming GRU bill
Gainesville commissioners now have some legal help in their fight against a looming Gainesville Regional Utilities takeover bill. The commission voted unanimously Thursday to authorize the spending of $250,000 from the GRU utility system reserves fund for the outside counsel of Ackerman, LLP, led by Cindy Laquidara. The decision comes as commissioners brace for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign House Bill 1645, which will appoint a new five-member governance board to oversee all decisions related to the municipal utility. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Partners open Miami-Dade’s largest virtual production studio
Grup Mediapro and BranStar Studios have teamed up to offer the largest state-of-the-art virtual production facility in Miami-Dade County. The virtual production LED wall in Medley will offer immersive real-time environments, Unreal Engine, in-camera motion tracking and real-time rendering. The venture will be called BrandStar Studios at Grup Mediapro and is BrandStar’s first studio facility in Miami-Dade, complementing its existing Broward County location and Palm Beach County studio at Lynn University. More from Miami Today.
Tampa has a Climate Action and Equity Plan now. What’s in it?
Two years in the making, Tampa officials unveiled a 156-page Climate Action and Equity Plan Friday, becoming the latest local government in Florida to lay out a path toward renewable energy transition and bolstered resilience to the ongoing effects of climate change. City staff worked with scientists, energy modelers and partnered with CLEO Institute, a Miami-based nonprofit focused on climate education and community engagement. The organization set up a West Tampa office and gathered input from residents. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of June 23rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Business Profile
Florida company makes leather from Everglades pythons
Normally you wouldn't want a constrictor snake wrapped around your shoulder. But what about as an eco-conscious fashion statement? Inversa Leathers makes luxury, high-end leather out of Florida's invasive species, including pythons and lionfish.
» Read more from Axios.
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