Visit Florida campaign aims to bolster tourism after storm

Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion arm, says it has launched a "four-pronged" marketing plan to help the state's tourism industry. The campaign includes a series of new videos, a social media campaign and a push to post images of the state with the hashtag "#LoveFL." The plan also will include a focus on communities directly affected by Hurricanes Matthew and Hermine. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and WJXT.

See also:
» Florida faces tourism challenge following Hurricane Matthew
» KSC Hurricane Matthew repairs to cost 'millions of dollars'
» Matthew beat up Florida's small businesses – insurers may, too

Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump personally focus on Florida

With four weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential campaigns hit their Florida strongholds on Tuesday — as the candidates attempt to sign up new voters and shape the electorate that will cast ballots in the state. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Down 42%, Florida still leads nation in seized homes

Despite a 42 percent decline over the year, Florida still leads the nation in seizing foreclosed homes. About 13 percent of the 425,426 foreclosures completed in the U.S. in the past year occurred in Florida. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Battle over Florida voter law heads to federal court today

A federal judge is going to consider whether to extend the voter registration deadline in the battleground state of Florida. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will hold a hearing Wednesday on whether the deadline should be extended due to the disruption and damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Opinion: Time for spring cleaning for the Florida Constitution

There is an old tradition that, when spring comes, we conduct a spring cleaning. This is a secular tradition, but it is also a part of many religions. With the coming of 2017, we might begin a spring cleaning of our state constitution. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Citrus crop forecast live coverage on Wednesday [Southeast AgNet]
As concern grows about Florida citrus crop declines, growers, industry leaders and newsmakers from around the state are expected to gather in unprecedented numbers to hear this broadcast together as it goes public.

› Collier Country to study sea level rise without Harvard University [Naples Daily News]
Collier County commissioners will start to coordinate efforts to study sea level rise here, but won’t be moving forward with Harvard University to do it. For now, anyway.

› Web.com to host Jacksonville workshop for small business websites [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville-based Web.com originally scheduled the event at EverBank Field Friday, Oct. 7. But the arrival of Hurricane Matthew cancelled the workshop that was expected to draw over 300 First Coast small business representatives.

› Department of Health: Zika cases in Florida up to 1,000 [Health News Florida]
The Florida Department of Health Tuesday announced that Florida Zika cases have now exceeded 1,000. There are eight new travel-related cases with four in Broward, two in Pinellas, one in St. Lucie and one involving a pregnant woman, as well as one new non-travel related case linked to Miami-Dade County.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport smashes traffic record [Business Observer]
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport smashed its September passenger traffic record with 117,987 travelers last month — a 29% bump over September 2015.

› Boca-based Geo Group faces lawsuits following Justice Department’s plan to end private-prison management [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Several shareholder lawsuits have been filed against private prison operator The Geo Group in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, alleging violations of securities laws.

› Healthcare and the Gainesville economy – does it make the grade? [Gainesville Business Report]
Healthcare as a whole plays a crucial role in the economy of any country, state, city or town, despite its size. In fact, healthcare currently makes up 1/6 of the entire U.S. economy, more than any other industry.

› University of Miami names facility after public company [South Florida Business Journal]
The University of Miami this week announced the new name of its multi-purpose entertainment facility formerly known as the BankUnited Center.