Thursday's Afternoon Update
Retailers looking to hire more seasonal workers in 2012
Several retailers are looking to boost staff even more this holiday season, a move that will be welcome news for Florida's jobless and underemployed. Among those planning to beef up 2012 holiday ranks are Toys "R" Us, Kohl's and Walmart. Toys "R" Us plans to hire 45,000 seasonal employees nationwide -- 12.5 percent more than last year. Kohl's Corp. is boosting holiday hiring by more than 10 percent in 2012. More from South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Sex abuse prevention curriculum debuts in Florida schools
Kindergartners across the state of Florida will be introduced to a curriculum that focuses on sexual abuse prevention.
| Good for You
For the second year in a row, innovative farmers in the Florida Panhandle have been honored by University of Florida IFAS Extension and the Farm Credit of Northwest Florida. Ford Farms
Diamond Farm
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The Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum was developed by Lauren's Kids nonprofit organization. The lessons were used in Miami schools for years before Florida legislature decided to use the curriculum across the state. More at ABC Action News.
Ryan's stance on Medicare hurting Romney's chances with seniors, poll finds
Among seniors, Medicare rivals the economy as a top voting issue. Florida seniors broadly oppose the sweeping changes to Medicare proposed by Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and, by big margins, favor President Obama over Mitt Romney on the issue, according to new state polls by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Scam: Identity thieves redirecting Social Security checks
In a new twist on identity theft, someone convinced the Social Security Administration this summer that Jacqueline Midulla had a new bank account number. Her payment went onto a thief's reloadable debit card and vanished before anyone had a clue. "You think, 'This will never happen to me,' " Midulla said. "Not only did they take my Social Security check that month, they also filed a tax return and got my free credit report, apparently." Full story at the Tampa Bay Times.
Naples' strict design codes challenge companies
Strict design codes in Naples challenge business owners -- especially corporations and franchises -- to meld their brand identities with the city's aesthetic, sometimes at the risk of becoming unrecognized by customers and often at increased costs. That meant RaceTrac gas station, which has 500 locations in the southeastern U.S., had to tweak its corporate model twice. More at the Naples Daily News.
Event
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Opening tomorrow, Friday, September 28th: The 17th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival. This year's foodie festival features two Florida wines: A "Hurricane 5" wine made from five Florida fruits (but no grapes), and another wine made from 100% key lime juice. Grapefruit beer will also be available. The festival is a prime location for spotting celebrity chefs such as the Food Network's Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Gale Gand and Jamie Deen and TLC's "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro. Video:
More information at Epcot website and also from the Orlando Sentinel.
Today's Afternoon Update was compiled by Joyce Edmondson