Gov. Scott back in DC, seeking support in Obamacare fight

Just days after flying to Washington in hopes of convincing the Obama administration to extend federal hospital funds, Gov. Rick Scott is back in the nation's capital slamming federal health officials for denying his request. More from the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Gov. Rick Scott sparks resistance, confusion with call for a ‘continuation’ budget
» Scott compares administration to 'The Sopranos'
» Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn: 'Shame' on Rick Scott, Florida Legislature over Medicaid impasse
» Gov. Scott draws Republicans in Congress into Medicaid dispute

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Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon:
Derrick Brooks

The former Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker shares lessons he’s learned along the way. Quotes include: “My true gift from God is the ability to give back versus the talent God gave me to play football.” Access full story.

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America is giving up on political parties and organized religion

The Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing, according to an extensive new survey by the Pew Research Center. More from the Pew Research Center, the Washington Post, and CNN.

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Monkey farms in Florida under scrutiny from officials

Tucked away in Florida's Hendry County, amid the scrub brush and saw palmetto grasslands just southwest of Lake Okeechobee, are three monkey breeding farms containing thousands of primates. The possibility that the small, rural county will become the country's biggest supplier of research primates has some neighbors and many animal rights activists howling. [Source: AP]

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Foreclosures drop but inventory still high

Florida still leads the nation in completed foreclosures and ranks third in the total percentage of distressed properties, a new report shows. Lenders completed 110,153 foreclosures in Florida during the 12-month period ended in March -- more than twice as many as runner-up Michigan. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Watson Island super-yacht marina to open by year’s end [Miami Herald]
Looking for a place to park your mega-yacht? Fear not: A new marina on Watson Island designed to hold 50 yachts up to 550 feet long will open in time for the first week of Art Basel in early December.

› Food Truck success: Blog leads to full-time event business [Orlando Sentinel]
There’s just one problem with Mark Baratelli’s success in the food truck business: It hasn’t left much time for his Daily City blog lately. Baratelli, 39, is the founder of Food Truck Bazaar, a thriving Orlando business that organizes about 10 local food truck events per month.

› Rays brass says stadium can spur urban renaissance [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld told a St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce lunch crowd Tuesday that baseball is the only sport that can create "its own sense of place" due to its 81-game home schedule.

› Sitel Brings 700 new jobs to Lake City [Florida Trend]
Sitel, a leading global customer care provider, today announced significant business growth that will bring more than 700 new full-time career opportunities to its Lake City customer experience center.

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› Jeb Bush leases Miami offices for likely 2016 presidential campaign [Miami Herald]
In preparation for his all-but-declared 2016 presidential bid, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has found a South Florida home for his likely campaign. Bush’s political action committee, Right to Rise, has leased space on parts of two floors of the Flagler Corporate Center.

› Craft beer fuels Tampa tourism [Tampa Bay Times]
Beer tourism is an old concept that has come roaring back in recent years. In fact, craft beer has become a thing, especially in the bay area. Beer is also part of Tampa's latest tourism strategy.

› Spanish company applies for Florida-to-Cuba ferry [South Florida Business Journal]
Spanish maritime firm Balearia has asked the U.S. Treasury Department for permission to run a ferry from Florida to Cuba.

› Financial study projects lower government revenues from solar initiative [Tampa Bay Times]
State and local government revenues from taxes and fees would decrease if a ballot initiative to open up Florida's solar market wins approval, though the specific impact remains unclear, according to a financial review of the proposal.