Proposed civil forfeiture policy raises concerns in Florida

Under Florida law, for police to seize assets from a person, with some exceptions, must first make an arrest. The proposed federal policy would allow police to seize assets without any evidence if they are willing to share the goods with the federal government. [Source: WJXT]

Trump's private clubs in Florida are seeking visas for foreign workers

The Trump Organization is asking the federal government for special visas to hire scores of foreign workers for two of President Trump's private clubs in Florida — the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach and the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter. [Source: NPR]

Scientists look at climate and Florida agriculture’s future

A study by scientists from leading U.S. universities — including Berkeley, Chicago, Princeton and Rutgers — looked at agricultural impacts and found southern states would suffer the most severe impacts because their already warm climates would become hotter. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Failing Florida schools can now apply for extra cash under controversial program

Some low-performing schools in Florida are now able to apply for extra funding under the controversial new “Schools of Hope” program lawmakers adopted this spring. The Florida Department of Education released a preliminary list of eligible schools in guidance sent to the state’s 67 school districts this week. [Source: Miami Herald]

After stroke, photographer Clyde Butcher returns to the swamp

Clyde Butcher, the iconic landscape and environmental photographer who suffered a stroke in early May, recently returned to the swamp for a photo excursion. Butcher’s gallery shared the news Thursday, in an update to email list subscribers that described his visit to the Myakka River State Park in late June. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

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» Florida Icon: Clyde Butcher

 

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› Tampa-based start-up takes on Airbnb by promoting inclusion, diversity [Tampa Bay Times]
Innclusive is a home-sharing platform based in Tampa similar to Airbnb but devoted to eliminating discrimination and promoting diversity and inclusion.

› Texas company wraps up initial Big Cypress oil search [Naples Daily News]
A Texas-based company has wrapped up a look for oil in the Big Cypress National Preserve, for now at least, but the agency in charge of monitoring the work doesn't know the extent of any environmental damage, a spokeswoman said this week.

› Yamaha buys South Florida marine business [South Florida Business Journal]
Yamaha Motor Corp. acquired Deerfield Beach-based Bennett Marina, a manufacturer of hydraulic trim tab systems.

› Lawsuit challenges Florida use of solitary for death row [AP]
A federal lawsuit is challenging Florida's policy of isolating all death row prison inmates in solitary confinement indefinitely.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› O.J. Simpson granted parole and says he will return to Florida when released from prison [Miami Herald]
O.J. Simpson told parole board members on Thursday that he intends to return to Florida, the state he last lived, just before he was granted parole for charges connected to an armed robbery attempt in a Las Vegas hotel room almost nine years ago.
» See also: What Florida says about O.J. Simpson’s potential return

› Florida officials look to calm voters as Trump panel looks into fraud [Orlando Sentinel]
The Trump administration’s push to get voters’ personal information from states is on hold for now, but the battle over electoral laws and rules is just beginning and still sowing confusion among some voters.

› Florida International University offers first bachelor’s in Internet of Things [Miami Today]
Florida International University is offering the country’s first bachelor’s degree program in the Internet of Things (IoT) next spring.

› Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn proposes $974 million budget for 2018 [Tampa Bay Times]
Mayor Bob Buckhorn on Thursday proposed a $974.2 million budget for next year that would raise the city's property tax rate for the first time since 1989 and use the additional revenue to improve parks, expand fire service and prepare for looming financial challenges.