SHARE:
Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Housing bubbles have hit Florida hard. Is it ready for another one?
Florida’s economy has bounced back from the pandemic quicker than most — which economists credit in part to a surge of people buying homes in the state. But Federal Reserve officials warn that there’s a housing bubble brewing. Home prices across the country aren’t only rising from explosive demand and limited supply, there are also signs that they’re being artificially pumped by speculation. For some, that feels a little like déjà vu. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Locality Bank in Fort Lauderdale stands out for being a rare bank startup
From 2000 until the financial crisis in 2009, Florida saw the creation of 133 banks — de novos — second only to California, according to data analysis company Banking Strategist. In the years following the meltdown, Florida led the nation in de novo creations — but with a grand total of only 11. Among the newcomers is Locality Bank, which opened in a shared workspace in Fort Lauderdale in January and online and by mobile app. More from Florida Trend.
Expanded hours for gator hunting eyed
Final approval of around-the-clock alligator hunting is set to go before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission when it meets next month in Gainesville. Alligator hunting rules are part of the agenda on the first day of the two-day meeting, which will start May 3. The commission previously gave support to the hunting change on March 2. More from the News Service of Florida.
Miami has largest filmmaking footprint ever
Since taking on the role of Miami-Dade County’s chief of film and entertainment in February, Marco Giron has landed a deal to host one of Apple TV+’s latest series, as his team launches a countywide outreach initiative tour. Warner Bros. Television’s “Bad Monkey,” starting Vince Vaughn, has chosen Miami-Dade County as its production headquarters. The series is a drama written and executive produced by Bill Lawrence, which has received a 10-episode series order from Apple TV+. More from Miami Today.
Disney World: Face masks optional for all areas of resort
Walt Disney World has lifted the last of its mask requirements, meaning face coverings will be optional for visitors at all locations on the central Florida Disney property. The rule change was posted Tuesday on Disney’s website. Masks are still recommended, though not required, for guests who are not fully vaccinated in indoor locations and enclosed transportation. More from the AP.
Out of the Box
This gas, not for your car, also in short supply. It fuels Miami crime lab and balloon biz
World events, including the war in Ukraine, have spurred a shortage of once-plentiful products in the United States, everything from pet food and poultry to microchips, new cars and the gasoline that powers them. But supplies are shrinking and prices are skyrocketing for another less common gas, one that is vital to a surprisingly wide array of businesses, from the Miami-Dade crime and forensics labs to the South Florida balloon business.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Profile
When Florida Aquarium CEO Roger Germann wants to chill, he hangs with sharks
Roger Germann is not a man to sit still. If he’s on the phone, he’s probably walking — past exhibits inside the Florida Aquarium where he is president and CEO, and sometimes out the doors and into the world. The person on the other end might ask what that noise is behind him — usually Tampa’s streetcar rumbling past between downtown and Ybor City. “I love what I do,” said Germann, 52 — even though, for the record, he started his career in TV and once thought of aquariums as just cool places for school field trips.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
In case you missed it:
