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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
One-fifth of Florida's agricultural lands could be paved over by 2070
Florida’s agriculture has traditionally been one of the biggest drivers of the state’s economy. But a new report says rampant development may threaten its future. Roughly one-third of Florida’s land is currently in agriculture. But if current development trends continue, about 120 acres of agricultural land a day — or almost 45,000 acres a year — will be paved over by 2070. More from WUSF and Jax Today.
SeaWorld corporate parent takes new name: United Parks & Resorts
Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. is undergoing a name change. As of Feb. 12, the company will be known as United Parks & Resorts Inc. The move won’t affect the names of the company’s theme parks and attractions, including SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove in Central Florida. The company operates seven theme-park and water-park brands in 13 locations across the United States and, as of last year, in Abu Dhabi. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
A new tunnel or bridge for commuter rail? Just ask AI
Artificial Intelligence can write your emails, drive your car and answer your questions. What if it can also help solve the Great Train Debate in Broward County over whether a tunnel or bridge should be built to get commuter trains across downtown Fort Lauderdale’s New River? Nova Southeastern University decided to ask. The answer that came back: Don’t go for the cheaper option, as the county seems inclined to do. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
2 Central Florida arts groups receive NEA grants for 1st time
Two Central Florida arts organizations have received their first-ever grants from the federal National Endowment for the Arts. Enzian Theater, a previous recipient, also was selected by the NEA for funding for its Florida Film Festival. Of the first-time winners, Winter Park-based Open Scene was awarded $10,000 for its Latin American Festival of Performing Arts, while the Steinway Society of Central Florida received the same amount to support the free piano lessons it provides to Orange and Seminole County students from low-income families. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
'Silver tsunami': Jacksonville-based Florida Blue tailors health care to age 50 and up
Florida Blue has opened a new medical center in Jacksonville created exclusively for the health and wellness needs of patients age 50 and older — the health insurance company's first. In partnership with Sanitas Medical Center, the clinic targets the population that will turn 65 by 2040 when that Medicare-eligible age group will total about 80.8 million, about 22% of the U.S. population, according to the National Council on Aging. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Entertainment
Tampa comedian Bert Kreischer will film Netflix special in St. Petersburg
Fresh off his grand marshal duties at Saturday’s Gasparilla parade, Tampa native Bert Kreischer has announced a deal with Netflix for two more comedy specials. He will film his first special in St. Petersburg in July at the Mahaffey Theater. The comic announced on Twitter Monday that tickets for the July 6 taping of his Netflix special sold out in 30 minutes.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Miami's economic forecast for 2024
Calixto “Cali” Garcia-Velez President & CEO of Banesco USA tells us: “The region continues to benefit from an enormous flow of capital from both domestic and international investors and businesses, which coupled with steady employment and population growth will help buffer South Florida …The biggest challenge is that many banks are pulling back lending due to the economic uncertainty and the current commercial real estate landscape."
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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