Hurricane Matthew strengthens, Florida at high risk of impact

Deadly wind, rain and storm surge began to assault southwest Haiti on Tuesday as Hurricane Matthew’s outer bands barreled north. Florida remained in a state of emergency with much of the state under the storm’s “cone of concern,” though it is still too soon to say which path the hurricane will take. More from the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

See also:
» Hurricane Matthew strengthens, Florida at high risk of impact
» The Latest: Florida Gov. to update residents on Matthew
» Gov. Scott declares state of emergency for entire state
» Gov. Scott: Stay alert, prepare for Hurricane Matthew

Aquaculture in Florida: Pompano and circumstance

Aquaculture has become the fastest-growing form of food production globally — in 2013, production of fish and other seafood eclipsed production of beef. In Florida, however, aquaculture has a way to go. This story, the cover feature from the October issue of Florida Trend, examines the aquaculture industry from all angles.

Zika money on its way to Florida

Delays in getting $1.1 billion to combat Zika meant some drug companies gave up working with the federal government on developing vaccines and states won’t see their share of money until early 2017, a health panel said Monday. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Florida governor, Cabinet weigh $16 million land purchase for preservation

Gov. Rick Scott and the current members of the Florida Cabinet could be poised to make their largest outright purchase of land for preservation. The $16.1 million purchase of 11,027 acres southeast of Tallahassee, if approved, would also be the largest acquisition of its kind for the state in more than a decade. [Source: Northwest Florida Daily News]

Bankrolled by big donors, Florida ballot battle over medical marijuana heats up

A poll released last week by the Florida Chamber shows 73 percent of likely voters support Amendment 2, well above the 60-percent threshold required to put it in the state Constitution. But opponents of the amendment are hitting back hard. [Source: Times/Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The rent in Tampa is getting more expensive faster than anywhere else in Florida [Tampa Bay Times]
Over the past year, rental prices in Tampa have jumped 4 percent, almost double the national rate and almost four times the Florida rate.

› Sarasota's BioLucid acquired by Sharecare [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Digital health company Sharecare has acquired BioLucid, a Sarasota-based developer of virtual reality technology for the health care industry.

› Franklin Street's new VP of investment sales to target national expansion [News Release]
Commercial real estate firm Franklin Street promoted Greg Matus to senior vice president of investment sales. Matus will now focus specifically on growing the company’s investment sales division on a national basis.

› Grants to support launches, simulation in Central Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Two economic development agencies in Central Florida were among 10 to receive defense-based grants from the State of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott announced.

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› Miami is special, says Loews chairman Jonathan Tisch [Miami Herald]
From the moment Jonathan Tisch dressed in drag to win the vote of the City of Miami Beach to build its convention hotel, he has had a hand in every decision — no matter how minute — that goes on at what is now Loews Miami Beach.

› Orlando's Darden back in growth mode as activist investor era closes [Orlando Sentinel]
Two years after hedge fund Starboard Value wrested control of Darden's governing board, seven of its original 12 directors have stepped down, including activist investor and former chairman Jeff Smith, who left in spring.

› Which bank do Floridians complain the most about? [South Florida Business Journal]
There’s good news for financial institutions operating in the Sunshine State – consumer complaints decreased in 2015 by one-third. That’s a great improvement from the year before, when consumer complaints increased.

› Alcohol home delivery coming to the First Coast [First Coast News]
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits announced Monday that it will expand its partnership with Shipt, one of the nation’s fastest growing on-demand delivery services, to offer alcohol delivery in the Jacksonville metro area starting Oct. 5.