Florida senior citizens struggle as housing, other costs outpace Social Security
Struggles with high housing costs are increasingly common for seniors in Florida, where property values are surging, incomes are stagnating and the opportunities for affordable homes are scant. Many seniors rely on Social Security as their sole retirement income, as do about 40% of older Americans. But Social Security has lost 20% of its buying power since 2010. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Publix accused of deceptive pricing in lawsuit that brings receipts
A class action lawsuit alleges Publix overcharged customers for weighed items by inflating the weight at self-checkout. The lawsuit claims Publix's system automatically adjusts the weight to match the original price, even when a sale price is advertised. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses Publix of leaving expired sale signs up, misleading customers about product prices. More from the Daytona Beach News Journaland the Tampa Bay Times.
Gainesville business owners feeling impacts from rising egg costs
Restaurants and bakeries are struggling to cope with the increased cost, with some considering raising prices despite the potential impact on customers. Business owners are hopeful that the price of eggs will eventually return to normal, but the shortage is causing significant financial strain in the meantime. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Will a St. Pete-Clearwater airport shuttle get tourists out of cars?
Tourists arriving at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will now have another option for getting to the beach: an airport shuttle to Clearwater Beach, run by Pinellas County’s transit agency. It’s the first transit option available to people passing through Tampa Bay’s secondary airport. The concept sprung from visitor feedback asking for more transit options, said Brad Miller, CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Seminole hotels soon to charge fee to raise funds for $65M indoor sports venue
Seminole County hotels will soon start tacking on an extra fee to a guest’s bill to help raise tens of millions of dollars for the county to build a complex for indoor sports and other large events. With little discussion, county commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved the extra $1.75 per night assessment starting March 11 for lodging establishments with at least 60 rooms. It will be added to a hotel room bill on top of the county’s 5% tourist tax — also known as a bed tax — and 7% sales tax. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Profile
Central Florida family business is blossoming with help from Walt Disney World
Over the past five decades, Dutch Mill Nursery, a third-generation Central Florida business, has supplied millions of plants to Walt Disney World. The Nursery is one of more than 2,500 small businesses in Florida that Disney works with to help display the magic within one of the happiest places on earth. For more than 50 years, Dutch Mill Nursery has produced millions of flowering plants, such as violas, ajugas, geraniums, caladiums, begonias, pentas and sunflowers, for Walt Disney World.
» More from WFTV.
Florida Trend Excusive
Robotic lung biopsy
Northwest Florida doctors are using robots and gaming controllers to improve the early detection of lung cancer. The device, called the Galaxy Robot System, performs bronchoscopies to enhance the early identification of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of all cancer deaths nationwide. “Traditionally, with a scope, you would have to drive it with your hand and guide it to the lungs,” says Dr. Luke Yuhico, a pulmonologist at HCA Florida Healthcare in Fort Walton Beach. “Now we use an Xbox controller to do small movements through the lungs to get into parts we could never go before.”
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