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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Businesses, saying Florida needs migrant labor, turn to ‘guest workers’ program
Hundreds of employers in Florida collectively hired 25,451 guest workers under the H-2A visa program in 2022. Florida farmers rely on the program more than any other state, and the temporary workers now pick most of Florida’s citrus crop. Many business owners say any conversation about illegal immigration should include talk of expanding the federal programs because they not only provide a relief valve to the border problem but allow businesses to address the labor shortage with migrants. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Parts of the Florida Panhandle will get up to 115 degrees
Excessive heat wave advisories have been issued throughout much of the southern part of the country that will impact upwards of 55 million people, from places as far west as Arizona to areas along Florida’s coast, like Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The National Weather Service office in Mobile, Alabama, issued a heat advisory for the Pensacola area on Monday and Tuesday as the heat index forecast is expected to reach more than 115 degrees in some parts. More from the Pensacola News Journal.
Tampa names new economic opportunity director
Javier Marin, the former vice president of business development for the Central Florida Development Council, has been named the new director of economic opportunity for the city of Tampa. Marin will be responsible for “ensuring all stakeholders benefit from projects initiated by, or in partnership with the city of Tampa,” according to a statement announcing his hiring. More from the Business Observer.
Mosquito-borne illness advisory issued for Florida because of Sarasota malaria cases
The Florida Department of Health announced a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory late Monday afternoon after two additional cases of malaria were confirmed in Sarasota County. The FDOH has reported a total of four cases in the county this year, and all of the individuals who have been treated for the disease have recovered, according to an agency news release. Sarasota and Manatee counties had been placed under a mosquito-borne illness alert last Monday, and the Department of Health is extending that advisory to the entire state. More from the Gainesville Sun.
After successful festival, Orlando Fringe works on new ArtSpace programs
Attendance at this year’s Orlando Fringe Festival showed a healthy increase over 2022, though did not reach pre-pandemic heights. But with some new festival records — including money returned to performers and pieces of visual art sold — the nonprofit is hoping to capitalize on the festival’s energy as it ramps up programming at Fringe ArtSpace downtown. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Sports Business
Golf entertainment venue hires 400 as it readies eighth Florida location
The latest Topgolf location in the region is scheduled to open later this week, this one in St. Petersburg. Scheduled to open June 30, the new location, in the bustling Carillon office park area, will be Topgolf’s eighth in Florida, according to a statement. It joins others in Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Lake Mary, Miami-Doral, Miami Gardens, Orlando and Tampa. The Dallas-based company adds that Florida will now have the second-most Topgolf venues behind Texas, which has 12.
» More from the Business Observer.
Health Trends
Floridians embrace the Ozempic, Wegovy weight loss craze. Are the risks worth it?
The weight loss craze is on. Injectable weight loss medications like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are the new go-to for many Floridians displaying on social media platforms the large amounts of pounds they shed. Hyped by celebrities like Charles Barkley, Elon Musk and Amy Schumer, these drugs — intended for diabetes and obesity — quickly have become game changers for people struggling for years to slim down.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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