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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Lawmakers aim to increase penalties for organized retail theft
Florida lawmakers have introduced two bills designed to curb the growing issue of organized retail theft in the Sunshine State. The bills would revise state law to make retail theft a third-degree felony if the theft is over $750 — either committed individually or in a group — if the individual commits more than three retail thefts within 365 days, or acts in concert with five or more people to overwhelm store owners. More from the Center Square.
St. Petersburg’s local markets feel ‘growing pains’ as city changes
The words “local market” evoke images of leisurely weekend strolls and tote bags filled with fresh produce and flowers. The reality these days? Shoppers might have to circle for a parking spot or wait 20 minutes in line for a tamale. Browsing outdoor markets is a beloved St. Pete pastime. But as the region’s population has ballooned, so has attendance at many of the events. This can mean crowded stalls and transportation woes. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Northeast Florida home prices increase 4% since October
November Northeast Florida prices increased 4% from October, with the median price of a single-family residence at $390,280, according to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. Median home prices are up 3.5% from November 2022, setting another record low for home affordability in the region. The record median high was $395,000 in July. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Osceola County gains over $130,000 in lawsuit settlement with JUUL
Osceola County, one of the first counties in the state to sue infamous e-cigarette company JUUL Labs, voted on Monday to accept a $130,000 settlement over allegations the company deceptively marketed to minors and minimized the addictive nature of vaping. The decision came unanimously and without any discussion in a Monday evening meeting, resolving the county’s December 2022 lawsuit and its participation in a class action lawsuit with other local governments and school districts nationwide. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Mayor vows to restore three historic Miami venues
Three historic facilities in Miami that have long languished will get a burst of his attention in the year ahead, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez vows as he looks at his aims for the final two years of his administration. In his sights for restoration are the city-owned Miami Marine Stadium and the Olympia Theater as well as the state-owned Coconut Grove Playhouse. More from Miami Today.
Where world-class medical experts meet care with empathy. That's the BayCare effect.
There’s a feeling you get when you’re being cared for by leading experts who also give you an unmatched level of compassion. Getting both together is a rare and powerful thing. When you experience health care that exceeds your expectations in every way. And you have access to more than 4,000 providers, 30,000 team members and hundreds of convenient locations — that’s when you feel it. That’s the BayCare effect. [Sponsored report]
Sports Business
Tampa Bay the only NFL team losing followers
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fortunes may be rising in the standings, they aren’t on social media. According to a new study by the sportsbook comparison website My Betting Sites Canada, the Buccaneers are the only team in the NFL to see the number of followers drop since the end of last season.
» More from the Business Observer.
Business Profile
Head
Austin Gappelberg, a 22-year-old recent graduate of the University of Tampa, and his 20-year-old brother, Grant, took an early interest in entrepreneurship, beginning with small door-to-door jobs before they started first grade. The sons of entrepreneurial parents, the brothers worked at the family’s chocolate shop in New York’s Hamptons, and by the time they were teenagers they’d worked their way up to managing the shop in the summer.
» Read more Florida Trend.
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