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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Floridian sentiment continues upward tick for fifth month
Consumer sentiment among Floridians increased for a fifth month in a row in February to 74.1, up 1.5 points from a revised figure of 72.6 in January, reinforcing the optimistic outlook set at the beginning of the year. Floridians’ opinions about current economic conditions improved in February. Perceptions of personal financial situations now compared with a year ago increased 4 points from 56.6 to 60.6, the greatest increase of any reading this month. More from UF News.
Pinellas charter schools stand to gain millions in lawsuits over taxes
One of Pinellas County’s 18 charter schools stands to collect close to $2 million from the school district after convincing a judge that it didn’t receive its fair share of the tax referendum that voters have supported since 2004. The district could be on the hook for millions more, too, as 10 other charter schools have followed Pinellas Preparatory Academy’s lead. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Brightline to build new Treasure Coast station in downtown Stuart, city officials say
Brightline will build its Treasure Coast station in Stuart, city officials said Monday. City Manager Mike Mortell informed city employees on Monday that Stuart had won the competition for the new station, to be located downtown, near the Martin County Courthouse. Brightline officials on Monday did not respond to a request for comment. More from TC Palm and WPBF.
Central Florida tourism forecast full of mixed news ahead of Tourist Development Council meeting
Despite the fairytale that is Disney, the magic of Harry Potter at Universal and the splash that's guaranteed with every visit SeaWorld visit, tourism in Florida dropped by nearly 2% — more than two million visitors — last year. Local tourism felt the flattening of business from the big parks to the hotels and smaller attractions along International Drive and West 192 in Kissimmee. More from WESH.
Janitors who clean South Florida’s offices, many of them immigrants, fight for higher wages
On a recent evening, scores of janitors donned matching purple shirts as they marched across downtown Miami shortly after voting for their union leadership to call a strike if necessary. They held up posters in Spanish and English over their heads, asking for “justice” and “fair pay.” Some of the workers held white roses as they protested across the business district where many of them clean offices. More from the Miami Herald.
Lender and partner — Securing business financing in challenging markets
Whether for short-term needs, such as cash or treasury management, or long-term needs, such as loans for equipment, property or other acquisitions, securing business financing in the current marketplace may raise more tough questions than easy answers. How can a business borrower navigate the current market to capitalize on effective borrowing? In short, who can they turn to for guidance or borrowing? [Sponsored report]
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Tech Trends
Secure Ideas: Business model sounds like spy movie plot
To catch a hacker, one has to think like a hacker. That is the mission of Jacksonville-based Secure Ideas. Owner Kevin Johnson develops hacking software to show the vulnerability of a client’s computer system. It begins with Johnson or an employee sneaking into the client’s office. He may be disguised as a delivery person or he will devise another ruse.
» More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Profile
Knight's new leader
A veteran journalist and Miami native has been tapped as the president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Former USA Today publisher Maribel Perez Wadsworth spent more than 30 years working as a journalist, starting as an editorial assistant for the Associated Press in 1994. She spent 26 years with Gannett, moving to its corporate offices in 2009 to work on digital and audience transformation.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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