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Friday's Daily Pulse

Florida health insurance rates could skyrocket after Trump cuts subsidies

President Trump will scrap subsidies to health insurance companies that help pay out-of-pocket costs of low-income people, the White House said late Thursday. His plans were disclosed hours after the president ordered potentially sweeping changes in the nation’s insurance system, including sales of cheaper policies with fewer benefits and fewer protections for consumers. [Source: New York Times] Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami) wrote on Twitter last night:

Cutting health care subsidies will mean more uninsured in my district. @potus promised more access, affordable coverage. This does opposite.

Without subsidies, insurance markets could quickly unravel. Insurers have said they will need much higher premiums and may pull out of exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act if the subsidies were cut off.

Your turn:
» Do you agree or disagree with President Trump's move to scrap health care subsidies for the ACA? (quick poll)

Airbnb partners with developer to create large apartment complex in Florida

In a first for Florida, Airbnb is introducing a branded apartment complex in partnership with Miami-based Newgard Development Group. The 324-unit building in Kissimmee will be branded, "Niido Powered by Airbnb." According to Newgard and Airbnb, tenants will sign annual leases be able to rent rooms or units for up to 180 nights per year, and will share revenues with the landlords who own the unit. This marks the first step by Airbnb to design accommodations from the ground up for home-sharing, further challenging the traditional hotel industry. [Source: CNBC]

A year after Hurricane Matthew, counties ask Rick Scott: Where's our money?

North Florida cities and counties hammered by last year's Hurricane Matthew a year ago are still waiting to be paid for the cost of debris removal, road repair and police overtime. Strangled in red tape, counties fault the state for persistent delays, noting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized tens of millions in reimbursement dollars that Scott's administration still has not yet distributed. Read more at the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida confirms 1st local Zika infection for 2017

Florida health officials report the state's first case this year of the Zika virus transmitted by a local mosquito. According to the Florida Department of Health, a Manatee County couple traveled to Cuba, where one of them contracted Zika. Upon returning to Florida, the infected person was bitten by a mosquitom and then that mosquito bit and transmitted the virus to the other partner. Officials say there's no evidence of ongoing, active transmission along Florida's Gulf coast, or anywhere in the state. See the Florida Department of Health news release, here. Also read more at the Miami Herald.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida restaurants embrace the upscale veggie trend

The most intriguing gourmet growth sector? Full-fledged vegan. Restaurants like GLAM in Miami (GLAM stands for Green Living Animals Matter) serves a menu that includes watermelon poke, cashew cheese and chocolate avocado mousse. At these fully vegan establishments, there's no leather on servers, no meat, no fish, no eggs, buttermilk or honey and no beers or wines that use animal products in final processings. Read the Florida Dining column here.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› How technology and data boosted Florida’s response to Irma
One example of how technology aided the state's response to Hurricane Irma can be seen in AlertFlorida -- the emergency notification system from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The alert system, launched last year, was deployed heavily during Irma, delivering more than 20 million messages to citizens.

› Ageist stereotypes are rampant in marketing, new study says
A desire to connect with millennials has left many marketing firms underestimating the buying power of the consumers 55 and older, according to a new study released in Orlando Thursday.

› John Ward announces run for Florida U.S. Rep. DeSantis' seat
A Republican Florida businessman isn’t waiting for Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis to make up his mind about his political future before running for his seat. John Ward announced Thursday he’s running for DeSantis’ seat as the incumbent decides whether to run for governor or seek a fourth term.

bear on campus

Photo: UCF security camera

Black bear spotted on UCF campus
Authorities say a black bear has been spotted on the University of Central Florida campus. UCF police say a security camera picked up the animal Wednesday heading toward an outdoor table near Knights Plaza. 

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida tourism makes second post-Irma marketing push
"We are doubling down on our efforts to show visitors across the world that Florida is open for business," said Ken Lawson, CEO of Visit Florida. The organization is pushing its ads across broadcast, print, transit and digital billboard mediums in markets that typically feed into Florida tourism to help dispel any rumors that the Sunshine State isn't recovered enough to welcome visitors.

› Secret Service paid Mar-a-Lago at least $63,000, documents show
CNN reports the U.S. Secret Service paid tens of thousands of dollars to President Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach in the span of a few months.

Florida's Movers & Influencers
See some of Florida's top executive moves, board appointments, civic accomplishments, and more at Florida Trend's Movers & Influencers. Each profile appears in three places: in a weekly eNewsletter, online at FloridaTrend.com and in a monthly print issue of Florida Trend. Read more here.

› Downtown Pensacola fish hatchery project faces new criticism
The Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery & Enhancement Center, a downtown Pensacola project long touted by Mayor Ashton Hayward but still months away from breaking ground, faces new opposition after a possible violation of the project's construction deadline. Based on the terms of the lease, it appears the state failed to abide by the mandated timeline for commencing construction on the project. The delay opens the option for the city to walk away from the agreement.

› Florida Department of Health reminds state residents to get a flu shot
On Thursday, FDOH issued this reminder to all state residents:

The Florida Department of Health encourages all Floridians to keep the vaccine between you and the disease by getting a flu shot ahead of the 2017 flu season. Floridians should get the flu vaccine to protect against infection and help prevent the spread of seasonal flu to others. It has never been easier, and it’s never too late to get your flu shot!