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What you need to know about Florida today
Florida lawmakers vote to ban social media for kids under 16
Florida lawmakers Thursday gave final approval to a bill that seeks to keep children under age 16 off social-media platforms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to raise concerns about the measure. Opponents argue parents should decide whether children use social media and that the bill would be unconstitutional. The bill now will go to DeSantis, who raised concerns Thursday about parental rights and pointed to the bill affecting 14- and 15-year-olds. More from the News Service of Florida, the Tampa Bay Times, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of February 23rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
In Florida and beyond, youth sports has problems, and it’s costing the kids
Youth sporting events have always paired orange slices with a healthy dose of competition. Heckling or sharing a tense exchange with a coach after the final whistle is par for the course, especially as the level of play climbs. But the last decade, officials say, has brought a wave of hostility that’s eroding the culture of youth sports. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Money on the water: Florida's recreational boating business by the numbers
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Florida is the top state in the country when it comes to recreational boating economic impact. The association estimates an annual economic impact of $31.3 billion in Florida from recreational boating, a good chunk of the estimated $230.3 billion impact across the U.S. For perspective, the next closest state, California, has an annual economic impact of $17.3 billion. [Source: NBC Miami]
Florida's student loan debt 3rd-highest in nation. How much we owe, by the numbers (a lot)
According to the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid site, as of Sept. 30, 2023, the total federal student loan debt balance in Florida was $103.3 billion, including outstanding principal and interest balances, for 2.7 million borrowers. This includes Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and Perkins Loans but does not include private loan debt. [Source: Daytona Beach News Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Who is Tim Burke? How the feds cracked down on the Tampa media figure.
The case of Tim Burke, a prominent Tampa media figure, took another dramatic turn Thursday when the federal government hit Burke with 14 federal charges, including conspiracy. This isn’t Burke’s first time in the headlines. The owner of the media and political consulting company Burke Communications has been creating viral content for more than a decade.
› Miami: the Dubai of the Western Hemisphere
Miami became a top destination for the wealthy through the pandemic and has now emerged as the Dubai of the Western hemisphere. Already considered the “capital of Latin America,” Miami has become the nexus point for the wealthy of the U.S., Canada, and Europe for the same reasons as Dubai: sunshine, lifestyle, and lower taxes.
› Port Canaveral CEO welcomes Biden administration security initiatives for seaports
Port Canaveral CEO John Murray says he welcomes just-announced Biden administration initiatives aimed at boosting cybersecurity at the nation's seaports. The U.S. Coast Guard now will have the express authority to respond to malicious cyberthreat activity in the nation’s marine transportation system by requiring vessels and waterfront facilities to mitigate conditions that may endanger the safety of a vessel, facility or harbor.
› Pensacola employers looking to add jobs over the next year
Pensacola area employers are looking to hire workers but are finding it tougher to compete with rising wages, according to a survey of businesses by CareerSource Escarosa. The survey results were presented as part of the annual Greater Pensacola Chamber State of the Economy luncheon on Wednesday.
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