Florida's shriveling agriculture industry can't shake the fall of citrus, loss of land

Florida has a long and rich agricultural history, a bond so ingrained in the state's identity that the venerated orange emblazons the state's license plate. But decades of an accelerated decline have taken a toll, and agriculture has now shriveled to the point that it's no longer a major part of the state's economy. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» As Florida farmlands diminish, why is agriculture commissioner a Cabinet-level job?

Latinos outpace other groups in Central Florida population growth

Latinos grew more than any other ethnic group in central Florida according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. As a whole, the ethnic Latino category—which includes people who identify as Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Mexican—grew more than 20 percent in central Florida from 2010 to 2015. [Source: WMFE]

Trump means big change for Florida

President-elect Donald Trump's large promises, incendiary rhetoric and ties to Florida could bring a comprehensive overhaul of federal policies that will have a unique impact on the Sunshine State. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Fight over Everglades refuge pits Florida against feds

South Florida water officials are threatening to cancel a lease with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over management of a 144,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Everglades. More from the AP and the Miami Herald.

Solar's Florida future: mostly sunny

Solar industry advocates in Florida are forecasting a mostly sunny future with just a few uncertainties after voters failed to approve a constitutional amendment supported by big utilities in a bitter election battle. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› SeaWorld parks cut back amid financial difficulty [Orlando Sentinel]
Even before SeaWorld Entertainment eliminated hundreds of jobs this week, reductions have been visible in its signature Orlando theme park.

» Related from Florida Trend: Sea Change at SeaWorld

› Looking for a job in hospitality? Bradenton, Sarasota hotels need you [Bradenton Herald]
Filling Manatee-Sarasota hotels with guests isn’t an issue. Manatee County just had a record-breaking visitation year that generated $12.4 million in bed taxes compared to $11.7 million in the previous year. But stocking hotels with dependable, enthusiastic employees isn’t as easy.

› Orlando shops designate themselves 'safe places' for gays [AP]
Orlando officials are launching a program that allows businesses to designate themselves as safe places for gays and lesbians if they feel threatened.

› Hialeah is the worst city for renters in the U.S. [Miami Herald]
The worst city to be a renter in the United States? It’s Hialeah. And Miami comes in at No. 2. Renters in those cities pay more of their income in rent than anywhere else in the country, according to an analysis from apartment search website RentCafé.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Technology, manufacturing among new economic plan for Northwest Florida [Pensacola News-Journal]
As part of a road map meant to identify what new initiatives could carry the heaviest economic impact to the 12-county Panhandle, Florida's Great Northwest unveiled this week a tentative plan for Northwest Florida communities that emphasized technology and manufacturing.

› What does St. Pete’s commitment to 100% clean energy really mean? [WMNF]
A couple of weeks ago St. Petersburg City Council voted to go ahead with something that it’s been working on for a while. It will spend $250,000 of BP settlement funds to create an “Integrated Sustainability Action Plan” to chart a roadmap to 100% renewable energy.

› Sarasota Ballet: Artistry on the stage, musical chairs in the office [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
After more than two decades of ups and downs, the Sarasota Ballet has reached an unprecedented level of artistic prominence and financial security. But while the ballet appears to be flourishing, a significant group of people who were instrumental in helping it reach that goal are no longer around to celebrate the success.

› Endeavor taps Miami’s Powerful Yogurt for its global network [Miami Herald]
Endeavor, a nonprofit that supports and accelerates selected high-impact entrepreneurs, has chosen a young Miami food company to join its global network. Powerful Yogurt, led by Carlos Ramirez, is now the 16th Endeavor Miami company, after being selected Friday.