Florida citrus growers look beyond oranges

Faced with two existential threats — a disease that depletes citrus trees and a dramatic decline in orange-juice consumption — Florida’s citrus industry is seeking alternatives from olives to hops, pomegranates to peaches. Agriculture is the state’s second largest industry after tourism and oranges are the top crop by acres. The citrus industry supports 62,000 jobs in the state, according to the Florida Citrus Mutual. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

See also:
» Funding announced to fight citrus greening
» Hops growing in Florida for first time ever
» Growers battle citrus greening with giant tent
» Citrus greening aid finally bearing fruit

Three nominations made for Florida's constitution revision commission

The most common ways for recommending amendments to the state's constitution are by citizen initiatives or by the state legislature. But once every 20 years, an appointed constitution revision commission tackles what citizens or politicians can't. The first three of 37 appointments were made Monday. [Source: WJHG]

John Morgan, candidate or not, is reshaping Florida politics

John Morgan is determined to leave a political mark on Florida, one way or the other. The Orlando personal injury lawyer, famously familiar from his ads on TV, buses and billboards, is traveling the state and getting a feel from voters about whether he should run for governor in 2018. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Human trafficking numbers on the rise in Florida, across America

Results of a new study detail a shocking rise in the number of people being affected by human trafficking – especially in the state of Florida. A number of hospitals here in Florida are now requiring health care workers to receive some type of human trafficking training. [Source: NBC Miami]

Gov. Scott hopes Trump will spend on Florida ports

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he is optimistic President Donald Trump will be a partner in Scott’s continuing push to expand Florida’s seaports, but Scott stopped short of saying he will go after federal dollars for deepening Jacksonville’s ship channel. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FDA rejects new drug application from Jupiter biotech firm [News Release]
The United States Food and Drug Administration last week rejected a new drug application filed by Jupiter’s Charleston Laboratories and partner Daiichi Sankyo, based in Japan.

› Sarasota's U.S. Tent Rental covers the Gulf Coast [Sarasota Herald-Tirbune]
Now that U.S. Tent Rental has grown into a Gulf Coast industry leader - 12 trucks, 40 full-time employees and an 80,000-square-foot warehouse - the Boyle family can joke about the good old days.

› December was a record month for cargo volume at Port Everglades [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The final month of 2016 produced record-setting cargo movement through Port Everglades and marked the highest producing month in its 90-year history, port officials announced

› Florida snowbirds complain that Spectrum bills them when they're out of state [Tampa Bay Times]
Seasonal Tampa Bay families say that Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, started billing them for service before their return to Florida and before they ever called the company to reconnect TVs, phones and Internet.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Gun law changes Florida lawmakers could take up in 2017 [Miami Herald]
Florida lawmakers are considering a variety of law changes related to guns during the 2017 session, which begins in March.

› Ultimate National Championships return to Southwest Florida [Sarasota Herald Tribune]
USA Ultimate National Championships will return to Southwest Florida this October. The four-day competition is scheduled to kick off Oct. 19 at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch and will be cohosted by the Sarasota County Sports Commission and Tampa Bay Ultimate.

› Free ride will stay for canoes and boats in Florida [Miami Herald]
Canoes and kayaks need paddles but apparently won’t need a Florida registration in the foreseeable future. The use of kayaks, paddleboards and canoes has increased significantly, particularly in water-friendly areas like the Florida Keys.

› Historic home to well-known Florida governor finally opening [Florida Times-Union]
After repeated delays, the mansion that was once home to one of Florida’s most well-regarded governors is finally going to swing open its doors to the public.