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The Florida 500
The 2025 Florida 500 print edition is now available. The editorial staff of Florida Trend recognizes Florida’s most influential business leaders spanning across more than 60 business categories. The editorial selection of the 500 executives was based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the people who really run Florida. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of October 24th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Spirit says it is ‘actively’ exploring a sale or merger as it streamlines operations in bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines’ dramatic overhaul of its operations could well end with a sale or merger with another carrier, according to a recent regulatory filing. While outlining the sweeping restructuring measures it has undertaken since filing a second Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in less than a year, the airline has acknowledged holding talks with would-be suitors. The discussions have come as management has engaged in an aggressive transformation of Spirit’s route system, fleet, work force and passenger amenities, while taking stock of various assets that could be sold. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
A look at the Florida Public Service Commission and the lawmaker who wants to revamp it
A panel of five people that regulates electric utility companies in Florida could get two more members and new restrictions. State Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, wants to limit electric utilities from earning returns on equity that exceed the national average through his bill (SB 126) filed for the 2026 legislation session, which begins in January. The bill adds that Florida Public Service Commission orders be backed up with “adequate support and rationale for the commission’s conclusions.” [Source: WUSF]
Injunction sought to halt bear hunt
Arguing that Florida’s decision to hold a bear hunt in December is not based on “sound” science and research, a conservation group this week asked a judge for an emergency temporary injunction to halt the hunt. The group Bear Warriors United made the injunction request as part of a lawsuit filed in September challenging the decision by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to approve the hunt. As many as 172 black bears could be killed during the hunt, which is scheduled from Dec. 6 to Dec. 28. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› University of Florida tops Wall Street Journal’s new nationwide ranking of universities
The University of Florida has been named the nation’s top university, public or private, according to a new ranking highlighted by the Wall Street Journal.
The editorial, titled “The University Elite, Reconsidered,” features rankings created by City Journal that evaluated 100 leading universities across the country.
› Florida SNAP recipients may face November benefit delays
Nearly 3 million Floridians who receive food stamps could see their benefits for November delayed if the federal government shutdown lasts through Nov. 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, earlier this month, alerting them they won’t receive disbursements for November while the shutdown persists.
› Florida's 'Free Kill' law faces renewed challenge after governor's veto
Mary Jo Cain Reis is leading a fight to repeal Florida's "Free Kill" law, which prevents certain relatives from suing for medical malpractice, despite a veto from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Thomas Cain was 88 when he died in August 2020, from what his daughter, Mary Jo, believes was gross negligence by two Brevard County hospitals.
› An observation wheel in Tampa? City Council and residents weigh in
The spinning attractions puncture the skylines of major cities around the world.
London, Singapore and Dubai all have them. Now, a Tampa developer wants in.
Tampa City Council members on Thursday voted in support of the Tampa Wheel Over Water, a proposed $20 million, 250-foot observation wheel in the Channel District. The pitch comes from local developer Tony Miller, who said the wheel will create jobs and boost tourism.
More stories ...
› Florida is shutting down a section of the Sunshine Skyway pier. There are issues
A stretch of Skyway Fishing Pier State Park on the Manatee County side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is shutting down indefinitely. The Florida State Parks website, run by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, says about a half-mile of the nearly two-mile south fishing pier over Tampa Bay will close to the public beginning Monday, Oct. 27.
› Florida company will buy Addiction Recovery Care, continue ‘core mission,’ says founder
Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, Kentucky’s largest provider of treatment and recovery services, has announced its pending sale to Ethema Health Corp., a Palm Beach, Florida-based behavioral health company.
ARC reported the potential sale in a news release Wednesday, saying the two companies have “entered into a letter of intent” for Ethema to acquire the assets and operations of ARC. It did not disclose the sale price.
› Florida DOGE banned from AI company
Florida DOGE announced their team was banned from an AI company.
According to a post by Florida DOGE, the ban comes after the team used AI to augment the efforts to “identify wasteful spending and woke DEI initiatives.”
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company, its website said.
› Florida Cattle Enhancement Board offers unique opportunity for applied research
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board continues to stand out as one of the most innovative programs supporting applied research in the cattle industry. This initiative provides researchers, producers, and industry partners with funding to tackle real-world challenges facing Florida cattle operations.