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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Could gambling’s expansion make South Florida the new Vegas?
Some people have a vision of Florida’s future: a gambling destination second only to Las Vegas, perhaps even rivaling it, where tourists play craps and roulette at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, sip cocktails on the beach, and place bets on a Dolphins or Heat game with the swipe of a finger. “If you look at Vegas, their hotels are always packed, their casinos are always packed,” said Mychal Milian, a lodging instructor at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. “Now imagine Vegas with a beach.” [Source: South Florida SunSentinel]
How Florida’s ‘unscrupulous’ auto glass shops fuel an insurance crisis
They roam Florida parking lots and carwashes in search of cars with damaged windshields, often bearing gifts; gift cards, steak dinners and discounted hot tubs are the common ones: Insurance companies call them “harvesters,” and their sales pitch to car owners is simple &mdah; Auto glass shops can offer free windshield replacements because it’s covered by comprehensive insurance. All they need is a signature.... [Source: Washington Post]
Medical experts raise concerns about diabetes as Florida outpaces the national average
Data shows the number of Floridians with diabetes is outpacing the national average. According to the CDC, 37.3 million Americans are living with diabetes, 96 million American adults are prediabetic, and about 1 in 5 people with diabetes are unaware that they have it. Diagnosed diabetes costs an estimated $25 billion in Florida each year. Those diagnosed with diabetes have more than twice the average medical costs than people without the condition. [Source: WFLA]
Suncoast businesses, community groups discuss solutions to affordable housing crisis
"There have been so many conversations over the years about affordable housing," said Kirsten Russell, vice president of community impact for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Russell said businesses have a big stake in creating solutions. "It's important to all of us. No matter what we do ... We have to have employees, we have to have workforce housing, we need affordable places for people to live," she said. "Without people living here, we don't have a vibrant community." [Source: Sasota Herald-Tribune]
Tampa Bay Times expands board, names new president
Four members are joining the board of the company that publishes the Tampa Bay Times. And the newspaper itself is getting a new president. Times Publishing Co. on Friday announced that Florida Trend publisher David Denor, Tampa Bay Times managing editor Carolyn Fox, Tampa Bay Newspapers publisher and president Jay Rey and Poynter Institute chief operating officer and chief financial officer Jessi Navarro have been added to the company’s corporate board. Times Publishing Co. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida transportation crews unearth ‘nearly intact' 19th century shipwreck
Construction crews in Florida recently made an “incredible find” after unearthing a 19th-century shipwreck. The “nearly intact” vessel was discovered by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews during construction activities near the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida.
› It was once illegal to parachute on Sundays if you were an unwed woman. Here are some of Florida's strangest laws.
Florida has some weird laws that many people may not know about but they're there, waiting for someone to break them.
› Boating industry's 'Super Bowl' brings in billions for Florida economy
For the "Venice of America," its annual boat show – the largest in-water boating event in the world – is like the city’s own Super Bowl. Economic impact from 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show could near $2 billion.
› A battle between Florida bankers and their former teacher
The battle over a new amended rule governing attorney trust accounts with tens of millions of dollars at stake each year for free civil legal aid to Floridians near the poverty line has led to a fissure between Florida bankers and their longtime former teacher, Jody Hudgins.
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