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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida says law that restricts land purchases is not discriminatory
The state this week pushed back against a challenge to a new law that restricts people from China and six other countries from owning property in Florida, disputing arguments that it is unconstitutional and discriminates based on “race and national origin.” In a 59-page court document filed Monday, attorneys for the state said the Legislature passed the law this spring to “address threats posed by hostile foreign nations.” More from the News Service of Florida.
Port Canaveral implements bonus program for staff, 5% raise for union
Port Canaveral employees will be eligible for pay bonuses, under a plan approved by Canaveral Port Authority commissioners. The 4-1 vote by the elected commissioners gives Chief Executive Officer John Murray and his human resources team the authority to devise a plan to reward employees with bonuses if the port exceeds its financial and other business goals. Any specific bonus payment plan would have to approved by port commissioners each year during the budget-setting process in August and September. More from Florida Today.
As temps soar, federal assistance can help Central Florida seniors stay cool in their homes
As soaring temps drive utility bills higher, the Senior Resource Alliance is emphasizing that help for some families in Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Seminole counties struggling to pay those bills. Alliance President and CEO Karla Radka said qualifying households can get help with AC repairs, utility bills and other heating or cooling needs through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program for the Elderly. More from WMFE.
Rents on the retreat? Sarasota metro posts another month of rent decreases
Rents in the Sarasota metro area have posted declines for the past four months and are down for the year, according to data released by a national online rental marketplace. The monthly Apartment List rent report shows the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area with rents declining over the past 12 months by 3.1%. Rents in the Sarasota metro area posted a 1% decrease from May to June, according to the data. Rents inside the city of Sarasota have decreased by even more, according to the Apartment List estimates. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
A Florida city famous for its water worries that it might run out of it
In this fast-growing Florida city, water seemingly abounds. It’s in the Zephyrhills plastic bottles filled from the community’s sparkling springs and sold in supermarkets nationwide. It glistens from a lake surrounded by trees and park benches. And it flows from a clover-shaped fountain outside city hall. But as the “City of Pure Water” experiences a population boom, officials here are warning that the vital resource is increasingly in short supply. More from the Washington Post.
Retail Trends
Say goodbye to $1 vintage records: Thrift store chains are cashing in on vinyl resurgence
These are sad days for thrift store record bin divers in South Florida. The region’s major thrift store chains are cashing in on the vinyl resurgence, leaving weekend collectors to pay more for used records through the chains’ online sites or find alternative marketplaces. For years, Gulfstream Goodwill, a division of Goodwill Industries International serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties, carried used records. Not anymore.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Profile
They sell their vegan croquetas around Miami, but they give them away at this skate park
La croqueta de jamon is a staple of Miami cuisine. It’s a rolled, breaded, battered and fried delicacy of juicy cultural goodness with generations of epicurean perfection under its crispy exterior. Gabriel Lopez is reimagining the croqueta. The 28-year-old Cuban-American’s business, 2 The Rootss, sells vegan versions of the beloved snack in flavors ranging from lemon garlic cilantro to Taro Cookies & Creme.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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