Citrus industry down but not out

The citrus greening disease that kills trees but first slashes fruit yields hasn't been conquered. Neither has canker and a host of other pests and diseases. Still, commercial citrus growers and people in related fields aren't giving up on a $9-billion-a-year Florida industry that supports an estimated 76,000 jobs. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]

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Judge declares Florida workers comp law unconstitutional

A Miami judge declared Florida’s long-controversial workers’ compensation law unconstitutional saying successive state legislatures had so diminished medical care and wage-loss benefits for injured workers the statute now violates employees’ “fundamental” rights. [Source: Bradenton Herald]

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U.S. retail sales flat in July despite improving economy

U.S. retail sales were essentially flat in July, providing evidence that consumers have yet to shed their doubts about the economy despite recent job gains. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that seasonally adjusted retail sales were unchanged in July compared with the prior month. [Source: AP]

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Panama Canal: Is another expansion in the cards?

With some 16 months to go before Panama expects to finish its canal expansion, could another set of locks to handle even bigger ships be in its future? [Source: Miami Herald]

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Ten years later: Taken by storm

For six weeks, ten years ago, Florida reeled under the assault of four hurricanes. Following that beating, and another one the next year with Hurricanes Wilma and Katrina, there have been dramatic improvements to our electric grid, shelters, forecasting abilities and ability to communicate. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Schools receive grant to build local computer-science workforce [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A new $3.5 million grant will help train college students for careers in computer science and engineering,. The Florida Board of Governors announced the program Wednesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

› Bondi defends Florida cigar-maker against potential federal regulations [Florida Times-Union]
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the federal government is going “overboard” with proposed regulations to link electronic cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products to the same rules as the cigarette industry.

› Lawsuit seeks disclosure of private email accounts [Miami Herald]
Internet giants Google and Yahoo must disclose who established several email accounts held by Gov. Rick Scott and his current and former employees as part of a lawsuit pending inã??Tallahasseeã??that claims the governor routinely circumvented the state’s open records law, a court ruled Wednesday.

› Fuel may finally flow at Port Miami [Miami Today]
To build on its international recognition as a major cruise and cargo port, PortMiami might change the way it fuels large ships.

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› UM patents seek business funding [South Florida Business Journal]
The University of Miami does $350 million of research every year, but not too many of its patents get the financial backing to make it to production, said UM's Jim O'Connell.

› FPL gets OK for voluntary solar-energy fee [Orlando Sentinel]
State regulators have approved a program that will allow Florida Power & Light customers to voluntarily chip in $9 a month to help pay for solar-energy projects, despite opposition from two groups that work to expand the use of solar power.

› Port Tampa, Port Manatee meet, hoping to heal rift [Tampa Bay Times]
Wednesday's meeting of Tampa Bay's seaports was billed as a chance to promote regional economic development. But in reality, it was a peace summit to heal the rift between Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee.

› Royal Caribbean expands fast Internet to more ships [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
More cruise-ship passengers can expect Internet service like they're used to at home. Beginning this fall, passengers aboard select Royal Caribbean International ships will be able to plug into a faster satellite-based Internet service powered by global satellite service provider O3b Networks.