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Thursday's Daily Pulse

CEO Pay in Florida

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CEO pay in Florida

Let’s be honest. We love to know what people make. Now, thanks to a federal mandate taking effect this year, we know a lot more about what people at Florida’s largest companies earn. The insights come via Dodd-Frank, the recession-era financial regulation makeover legislation. In this article, part of Florida Trend's feature on the 350 Biggest Companies in Florida, we compare CEO salaries to median salaries in their company. But be careful drawing too many conclusions. Full story here.

Duke, FPL prevail in customers’ federal lawsuit over nuclear fees

A federal appeals court Wednesday backed Duke Energy Florida and Florida Power & Light in a class-action lawsuit that sought to recover money paid by utility customers under a controversial 2006 nuclear-power law. In the ruling, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals found that, "There is no merit in Plaintiffs’ appeal. Plaintiffs’ complaint failed to state a claim for relief." See the court ruling here. Also read more at the Citrus County Chronicle and Florida Politics.

Nathaniel Reed, Florida environmental advocate and co-author of the Endangered Species Act, dies at 84

Nathaniel Pryor "Nat" Reed, a Jupiter Island environmentalist who worked to preserve natural areas in Florida and throughout the United States, died Wednesday. In a long career spent both in and out of government service, Mr. Reed co-wrote the Endangered Species Act, helped stop the construction of the world’s largest airport in the Big Cypress Swamp, and later founded the group 1,000 Friends of Florida. More from the Tampa Bay Times and TCPalm.

Earlier, from Florida Trend
» Florida Icon: Nathaniel Pryor Reed

Florida tops nation in U.S. Senate race ad spending, No. 2 in governor campaign ads

More money is being spent on TV advertising in Florida’s U.S. Senate race than anywhere else in the country. And the state is No. 2 in ad spending in the governor’s race, but could easily take the top spot in coming months. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Enterprise Florida plans trade mission to Africa

Enterprise Florida is planning a fall export sales mission to Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Manny Mencia, senior vice president of international trade and development for EFI, said the mission is intended to bolster relations between Florida and two of the largest economies in East Africa. See the flyer inviting businesses to join EFI in the trade mission, here. Also read more at Florida Politics.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

magic leap headset

› Magic Leap mixed reality headsets closer to reality with AT&T investment
There’s been a fair amount of mystery—and money—surrounding Magic Leap, a Florida-based “mixed reality” startup that has tried the patience of people who have been waiting a few years now for the company’s first product. More in this press release from AT&T.

› Panama City gets grants for unique events
According to Destination Panama City representatives, the marketing organization for Panama City was awarded a $2,500 advertising matching grant for the One Harrison Food + Wine Festival. Destination Panama City was also awarded a $5,000 cultural, heritage, rural, and nature marketing grant to promote the Panama City Oyster Trail.

› Spirit Airlines expands Miramar headquarters
Spirit Airlines has added 26,287 square feet to its corporate headquarters in Miramar, the company announced this week. Spirit employs about 1,000 people at the headquarters and now plans to hire more.

› Florida stores safe as The Fresh Market closes 15 locations
The Fresh Market announced this week it will close 15 stores, but none of the affected locations are in Florida. The gourmet grocery chain based in North Carolina entered the Tampa Bay market in the early 2000s and has grown to five locations in Pinellas and Hillsborough County.

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› Drop in Metro Orlando office occupancies could get worse, analyst says
Central Florida’s oversupply of office space is likely to get worse next year, a new report says. Lake Mary led the area with 120,350 square feet of vacancies amid changes in office occupancy during the second quarter of the year.

› Controversial car lot approved in South Sarasota County
Controversial plans for a car lot in South Sarasota County were approved by the County Commission this week over objections from surrounding residents who claimed the future dealership would diminish their quality of life.

› Alex Johns elected new Florida Cattlemen’s Association president
Okeechobee born Alex Johns has spent his entire life working in cattle ranching. He is a founding member of the Florida Cattle Ranchers and his family has a ranching heritage of close to 500 years. That history and experience in ranching has helped him to be elected as the new Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) president.

› Tampa Bay residents have some of the shortest commute times in Florida
According to a new ranking by HomeArea.com, Tampa commuters have the second-fastest commute time, up from No. 4 last year, while St. Petersburg has the third fastest time. Clearwater ranked fifth, up from eighth last year. The rankings are based on 2016 data — the most recent available — from the U.S. Census Bureau.