Poverty rate in Florida dips to lowest level since Great Recession, census says

Nearly a decade after the Great Recession, the percentage of Floridians who were living in poverty in 2017 was at it’s lowest level since 2008, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. About 14 percent of the Sunshine State’s population had incomes below the poverty line last year compared to 13.2 percent in 2008. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida a hub for women entrepreneurship

Florida is the top state for growth in women-owned businesses and South Florida is one of the country’s top regions for growth, according to a new census-based study by American Express. More from WPTV and WFLX.

See also:
» The 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report

Florida Trend Exclusive
Harris Corp. plays to its strengths

Over seven years, Harris has abandoned its diversification strategy to focus primarily on building high-tech equipment for governments. Sometime in the next few months, the company will mark a milestone: A rocket will carry a cube-shaped, briefcase-sized satellite into orbit that Harris built, top to bottom — the first all-Harris device in the company’s history. Go to business profile (includes photo gallery).

» Coming tomorrow: Roundup of research and innovation news (last in this series)

Florida restaurant non-profit provides free industry course on human trafficking

Representatives from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association announced the launch of an online training course on human trafficking specifically designed to help restaurateurs and their employees. [Source: Fast Casual]

State asks justices to clear way for constitutional amendments

Saying First Amendment arguments raised by opponents are “irreconcilable with our constitutional history,” Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office asked the Florida Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that could block at least three proposed constitutional amendments from going on the November ballot. [Source: Daily Business Review]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› As Red Tide perseveres, Tampa Bay’s tourism industry feels the sting [Tampa Bay Times]
Red Tide, an algae bloom toxic to fish and other marine life, has been spreading through Tampa Bay waters since last week. Its reign has brought an onslaught of dead fish to the coast, and local beach businesses are feeling the sting.

› JEA wants federal regulators to intervene on Plant Vogtle dispute [Florida Times-Union]
JEA has asked federal energy regulators to intervene in its dispute with a Georgia electric agency over a controversial agreement that obligates Jacksonville ratepayers to help build two nuclear reactors in that state that are years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

› Five contractors cited for safety violations in FIU bridge collapse [CBS Miami]
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited five contractors for safety violations after one employee died and five others were seriously injured when a pedestrian bridge at the Florida International University campus in collapsed.

› Olive Garden posted a cryptic countdown clock online and the internet's going crazy [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando-based Olive Garden has posted a mysterious countdown clock on its website and is hinting at “something big” on its social media channels. The clock is counting down to an announcement at 11 a.m. eastern time Wednesday.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Dooryard citrus market is open for business [Growing Produce]
Propagation and citrus tree sales for the dooryard (homeowner) market continues to represent a significant portion of Florida’s nursery volume. Recent Division of Plant Industry estimates indicate that approximately 15% (sometimes more) of current nursery propagations are destined for dooryard sales, most through secondary re-sellers.

› Singer changes tune as Sarasota Opera administrator [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Richard Russell, executive director of the Sarasota Opera, started out as a tenor. He sang in the opera’s apprentice program before rising to studio artist and principal artist. Then a promising career was cut short.

› New study shows Florida Keys' corals are growing but have become more porous [PHYS.org]
Researchers have long questioned what impact climate change has on the rate at which corals are growing and building reef habitats in the Florida Keys. A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explored this topic, finding both good and bad news.

› Florida first responders choppered into hardest hit areas of North Carolina after Florence [WFTS]
A 12 member FL SERT AHIMT, comprised of Florida Emergency Management, Pasco County Fire Rescue, Pasco Emergency Management, Lakeland Fire, Lakeland PD, and Pinellas County Emergency Management members, deployed to Brunswick North Carolina to assist with the local Emergency Operations Center.