Florida lawmakers called into special session on redistricting

Faced with an Aug. 15 deadline, Florida's legislative leaders have decided they will bring lawmakers back Thursday for a weeklong special session to revise the congressional redistricting map declared invalid by a state judge. More at the Times/Herald, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the AP.

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Column: Florida is ready to help job seekers succeed

As the fourth-most populous state and a nationally recognized leader for workforce development, we are poised to help job seekers, workers and businesses succeed through the new federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]

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Resettlement of border kids in Florida sparks compassion, fear

More than 3,000 children detained after illegally crossing the border into the Southwestern United States have quietly resettled in Florida this year, and the prospect of more arrivals has sparked a mixture of compassion and fear. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Feds grant Florida 3-year Medicaid renewal

The federal government has granted a three-year renewal of Florida's Medicaid managed care program. About 3 million Floridians — more than half are children — are enrolled in the program, which has been rolling out statewide over the past few months. [Source: AP]

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No-debt college not real option anymore

A new generation of students is finding that the option of a debt-free education is nearly unattainable. It’s a doom spiral fed from every angle. Tuition has skyrocketed while financial aid has only inched along, prompting schools to raise the income percentages they expect in family contributions. [Source: Miami Herald]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Kids? Adults? Debate rises on Brevard tourism marketing [Florida Today]
Much of the Space Coast Office of Tourism's marketing is aimed at luring families to Brevard County. But the head of marketing for the county's largest tourist attraction says that's the wrong approach.

› Airlines compete over flights to Brazil [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Azul planning Fort Lauderdale-to-Campinas flight for early December as part of its U.S. debut; Orlando to follow.

› New Chief of Florida Strawberry Growers Association Faces Challenges [Lakeland Ledger]
Kenneth Parker wanted a change in his life, and he made a big one. After working nearly 30 years in the private sector, Parker, 49, took the very public job of executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association based in Dover.

› Cruise lines catering to younger crowds [Miami Herald]
With shuffleboard games and midnight buffets in the past, cruise lines are updating their offerings for the millennial generation.

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› 50 years of exploring Florida leads to many finds [AP]
A fishing trip to Orange Springs in 1960 introduced Alvin Hendrix to a hobby that would take him on underwater treasure hunts for the next 40 years.

› Fort Lauderdale aquatic center still has troubled waters [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With the start of construction just months away on a new $33.7 million aquatic center, the city is facing waves of concern that the project won't be the world-class facility originally envisioned.

› Attraction makeovers risk drawing ire of loyal fans [Orlando Sentinel]
SeaWorld faces a common challenge for theme parks: keeping loyal fans happy while making sure attractions don't go stale. Many visitors develop tremendous loyalty to shows, rides and other theme-park features. Even minor tweaks can set off major complaints.

› Billionaire climate-change supporter pledges to spend big to beat Florida Gov. Rick Scott [Miami Herald]
In a nationwide push to fight Republicans who deny the existence of man-made climate change, investor-turned-activist Tom Steyer has founded a Florida political committee, seeded it with $750,000 of his own money, and says he’ll spend far more to help Democrat Charlie Crist defeat Gov. Rick Scott.