Rebounding Florida manatee no longer an ‘endangered’ species

Florida's most famous endangered species, the manatee, no longer deserves to be called endangered, according to federal wildlife officials. They announced Thursday that they were dropping manatees off the endangered list and reclassifying them as merely threatened — a decision born out of one lawsuit that is likely to lead to another. See the news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, here. Also read more at the Bradenton Herald,  TIME, and the AP.

New deal: Florida Senate says yes to more gambling in state

The Florida Senate is giving a green light to a sweeping bill that would expand gambling throughout the state. Without debate, the Senate voted 32-6 for a measure on Thursday that would allow slot machines at dog and horse tracks in eight counties outside of South Florida. More about the gaming bill, SB 8, here.  Also read more at the AP.

Federal bills could benefit Florida pot businesses

Florida businesses dealing in legalized marijuana could get federal tax breaks under a bill filed in Congress this week. Right now, those businesses lose deductions and tax credits, because even though medical marijuana is legal in Florida, possession and sales still violate federal law. [Source: WEAR]

WWE WrestleMania brings huge business to Orlando

WrestleMania is in its 33rd incarnation, emanating from City Beautiful Orlando on Sunday, April 2 at Camping World Stadium, formerly the Citrus Bowl Stadium. Tens of thousands of fans from 50 states and 35 countries will converge to Orlando in Orange County for WrestleMania and more events during WrestleMania 33 Week. [Source: Miami Herald]

Hundreds of projects still alive under new Florida House rules for hometown spending

When it comes to hometown pork-barrel spending in Florida’s next budget, this should be a good year for Miami-Dade and Pinellas counties for two reasons: Key members of House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s inner circle are from Miami, and the Senate’s lead budget writer is Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater. [Source: Times/Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tripp Scott expands Government Relations Division [Sponsored Report]
As the Florida legislative session heats up, Tripp Scott broadens its capacity to assist clients in developing effective strategies to ensure that their interests are heard by those who impact them. 

› Navitas Credit Corp. launches site dedicated to small business lending [Jacksonville Business Journal]
Ponte Vedra-based Navitas Credit Corp. has launched a new website designed to meet the needs of small businesses across the country. Navitas provides specialty financing for equipment that small to medium sized businesses nationwide need to operate.

› Naples builder reaches construction milestone [Business Observer]
Homebuilder and developer London Bay Homes has reached the halfway mark on a model home under construction near downtown Sarasota.

› Tampa, Orlando rank 8 & 9 in top U.S cities for business travelers [News Release]
On Call International, a travel risk management company, evaluated the country's 20 biggest markets for how friendly they are for business traveler needs such as on-time flights and reasonably priced hotels.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Trump strategist Bannon won’t be charged in Miami voter registration probe [Miami Herald]
White House chief strategist Steve Bannon won't face any criminal charges related to his mysterious voter registration in Miami-Dade County.

› Ag research center in Immokalee struts its stuff [Fort Myers News-Press]
Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, the region’s powerhouse for agriculture science, is enjoying a renaissance.

› Alachua County commissioners urge city to rethink biomass deal [Gainesville Sun]
The Alachua County commissioners aren't sold on the fast-paced negotiations between Gainesville's utility and biomass plant officials.

› After 36 years at Tech Data Corp., Tampa Bay's largest company, Steve Raymund is retiring [News Release]
The son of the founder of Tech Data Corp., Tampa Bay's largest corporation by revenues, will step down as chairman of the global technology distributor in June.

From Florida Trend's archives:
» Steve Raymund is a "Florida Icon"