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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Is nuclear power fizzling out in Florida? Not so fast... why it still has plenty of juice
In the 70s, Florida had three nuclear power plants. Today, Florida is down to two. But don't count nuclear out in Florida or the rest of the country. Florida Power & Light (FPL), which is the largest U.S. electric utility by residential customers, owns the two operational nuclear plants and has applied to continue their licenses for nearly 30 more years. [Source: Florida Today]
International visitors drive Florida's tourism growth
The third quarter of 2023 saw a record number of visitors to Florida for the quarter. According to data from Visit Florida, there were 35.1 million visitors between July and September, an increase of 1.6% over 2022 and 8% higher than in Q3 2019. For the first three quarters of the year, the number of visitors grew by 0.7% over the same time from 2022. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Poll: Majority of Floridians know someone suffering from affordable housing crisis
Most Floridians say they know a close relative or friend who has suffered from affordable housing insecurity in the state and they want local government officials in the Sunshine State to address the issue soon, according to a new Mason-Dixon opinion poll. As property values continue to climb higher, a stunning 58% of Floridians polled say they know of an extended family member or friend who has faced housing insecurity or who have struggled to find affordable housing. [Source: Florida Politics]
A look at the strawberry's impact on Florida's agricultural industry
The Sunshine State is the second-largest strawberry producer in the U.S., driving a $300 million industry. It’s showcased by the annual Florida Strawberry Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond. As farmers face rising labor and materials costs, it's unclear what the future holds for the industry, and what can be done to keep it thriving. [Source: Spectrum News]
Why did the US seize this 747 Boeing plane in Florida this week?
The U.S. government on Monday took possession of a Boeing cargo plane in the Miami area that had been sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a Venezuelan company in violation of federal export control laws, according to the Justice Department. The 747-300M cargo plane, flown from Argentina to Miami early in the morning, was owned by Mahan Air, an Iranian company targeted by the U.S. government for its support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, officials said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Buying Valentine’s Day flowers? They might’ve had a layover in Miami.
While Valentine’s Day may not be known as a busy time for air travel, it’s a busy time at Miami International Airport, where many of the nation’s fresh cut flowers arrive from South America. Around 90% of the roses and fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States come through Miami, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
› In ‘Suncoast’ movie, Clearwater shines. Most of it wasn’t filmed here.
Clearwater is the main backdrop of the movie “Suncoast,” about a teenager coping with the pending death of her brother. Local landmarks and businesses populate scenes, and a fictitious school bears the city’s name on its building, van and uniforms. But very little of the movie starring Woody Harrelson and Laura Linney, which is now streaming on Hulu, was actually filmed here.
› Jacksonville Ethics Commission: Florida House amendments would 'handcuff local watchdogs'
Changes to a Florida ethics bill would “dismantle” government oversight efforts, the Jacksonville Ethics Commission said in a letter Monday. The commission joined with offices of four other municipalities to oppose changes to upcoming legislation (HB 1597) in the Florida House of Representatives after the Senate passed a companion bill (SB 7104) with an amendment that would limit the types of complaints local commissions can investigate.
› How hot is Naples? More than 180 homes are listed for at least $10M
The uber-high Naples real estate market made global news this week with one out-of-this-world listing: a waterfront residential compound for $295 million. But while that announcement, of a property dubbed Gordon Pointe, made real estate junkies go gaga on Google, the Naples real estate market isn’t scorching hot just because of that one outlier of a listing.
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