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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
New technology could assist growth in Florida's manufacturing sector
A recently released report has shown huge growth in Florida's manufacturing sector, which is responsible for almost half a million jobs in the Sunshine State. Florida TaxWatch has released the Unleashing Digital Transformation: 2023 Makemore Manufacturing Summit Summary Report, which focused on how Florida's manufacturing industry can create greater value and increase profits by deploying new technologies en masse. More from the Center Square.
Merlin buys Wheel at ICON Park, restores name to Orlando Eye
The Wheel at ICON Park is The Orlando Eye once again after the 400-foot-tall Ferris wheel sold Monday to Merlin Entertainments, the British group that owns Legoland. The sale puts the wheel on Orlando’s International Drive back in the hands of the company that first operated it from 2015 to 2018. It also unites it with two other Merlin properties at ICON Park, Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Aquarium Orlando. Merlin and ICON Park did not reveal the sale price. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Lake Okeechobee water is heading to Florida’s coasts. What that means for red tide.
The short-term consequences of Lake Okeechobee discharges are already becoming clear: In the St. Lucie River salinity levels have dropped, putting oysters and other marine life at risk. If high volumes of lake water continue into April, oyster and fish spawning in the Caloosahatchee could be harmed, environmental nonprofits worry. But what about the long-term consequences? What could continued Lake Okeechobee discharges mean for red tide on Florida’s Gulf Coast? More from the Tampa Bay Times.
JIA traffic sets record with spring break and The Players Championship
Passenger traffic at Jacksonville International Airport hit a record in March because of spring break travelers and The Players Championship tourism, Jacksonville Aviation Authority Chief Executive Officer Mark VanLoh said March 25. “We had a fantastic spring break. The weather cooperated,” VanLoh said. “The Players tournament was immaculate. We couldn’t have asked for more. And just last week we had our largest and busiest week in history - the week of the 18th of March.” More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
City of St. Cloud hit by cyberattack
The city of St. Cloud was the target of a cyberattack on Monday morning, affecting phone lines and limiting the forms of payment accepted for some services, city leaders said. Though several departments were impacted, the city’s government is operating “as best as possible” while the issue is resolved, according to a press release posted to the city’s website. In-person payments for Parks and Recreation events and services are temporarily cash-only, but online facility reservation payments and event registrations are still accepting credit cards. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Event
At Clearwater Beach sand festival, see the ‘Sands of Time’
Sixteen sand sculptors used 1,000 tons of sand to prepare for the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Monday at Clearwater Beach. The two-week event kicks off Friday and runs through April 14. This year’s theme, “Sands of Time,” takes a nostalgic look back at the festival’s 10-year history.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Profile
Raul Duarte: Opening doors
To an outsider, it may have seemed like the wrong time for Raul Duarte to embark on an MBA. The pandemic forced the world into lockdown, his industry was imploding and he was planning to launch his own company, a full-time job in itself. Duarte launched a boutique staffing firm in Miami after finishing FIU's executive MBA program. He says the program gave him the tools he needed to make his startup a success.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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