Businesses bucked Gov. Rick Scott's rule to notify public about pollution

Gov. Rick Scott ordered companies to report their pollution directly to media last year, but a judge overturned it. While not as good as the first rule, first amendment advocates say a new public notification law -- signed by the governor in June -- is an improvement. Effective July 1, businesses have 24 hours to notify the state Department of Environmental Protection of any release of dangerous substances. Then the DEP is required to give local government agencies, the news media and public the option to sign up and receive pollution notices. Prior to July 1, more than two dozen pollution incidents in central Florida were not reported to the public this year. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Your turn:
» Do you feel protected from pollution incidents now that the DEP is allowing citizens and media to sign up for email alerts? (quick poll)

New Cuba policy is actually fueling business, some travel providers say

Americans still have an appetite for Cuba even as some travel and business avenues with the Communist-run island will disappear in the coming months under President Donald Trump’s more restrictive economic policies toward Havana. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Fed-up consumers across U.S. turning to Florida AG Pam Bondi for toll refunds

Drivers who rented cars in Florida and were hit with inflated "administrative fees" from Avis, Budget and Payless are now filing claims with the office of Florida's Attorney General. Drivers were not only charged a daily fee, but many consumers received bills four to six weeks after concluding their rental, advising of the additional charges owed. Bondi's office issued a news release that details the settlement with the rental car companies. From a Tampa Bay Times article:

Customers have until Jan. 7, 2018, to file claims with Bondi's office in Tallahassee, including the rental agreement number and date the rental began. The settlement affects drivers who rented between Jan. 1, 2010 and July 10, 2017. Here's how to file a claim.

Could Mote’s research in Florida Keys give coral the second chance it needs?

In Sarasota, Mote is best known for its projects championing marine wildlife such as sea turtles and manatees or its work with environmental phenomena, red tide in particular. But its coral research, which began as a small center on Summerland Key known as the Tropical Research Laboratory, has slowly become an international force in the coral world. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida's Trump critics are all over cable TV, but paying a price

Just as Florida has an outsized influence in picking presidents, so does it have a strikingly large footprint in the small circle of Republicans denouncing Trump's performance day after day on TV — and paying a personal and professional price for it. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida law firm blitzes Boston with ads, big-name lawyers [Boston Business Journal]
Morgan & Morgan is spending millions on local Boston advertisements, though only one of the three Boston lawyers listed on its website is registered to practice law in Massachusetts.

› Florida panhandle businesses strategize on job creation [CPA Practice Advisor]
Bay County, Florida, faces a daunting challenge to create enough jobs in the coming years to maintain the current unemployment rate, according to an economist for a statewide chamber organization.

› A glimpse of commerce along the Miami River [Miami Herald]
RMK Merrill-Stevens wants Miami to resume its role as a destination for yachts of distinction. In its heyday, the shipyard gave safe harbor to the rich and famous.

› Final pieces falling into place for Atlanta Braves spring training in North Port [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
After months of wrangling agreements and funding, local officials are working on the final, formal development agreement for the public-private project and waiting on approval of a $20 million state stadium grant to round out the full $75 to $80 million project.

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› Pet products retailer Chewy.com to employ 1,100 in Hollywood [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Online pet products retailer Chewy.com is bringing 1,100 jobs to Hollywood. The 1,100 employees will include an undisclosed number of new hires. The move is expected to take place in October or November.

› Visit Orlando joins ranks leaving Visit Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Visit Orlando is one of a dozen tourism agencies cutting ties with statewide promotion agency Visit Florida.

› As HSN awaits takeover by QVC, quarterly revenues slip but net income rises [Tampa Bay Times]
Its CEO star left to run a weight-loss business. Now it's about being acquired by rival TV/online sales competitor QVC. What's next for HSN?

› CSX unions not happy with CEO Harrison’s letter or changes [Florida Times-Union]
Two of the unions that represent CSX workers aren’t happy with Hunter Harrison’s letter to the railroad’s customers earlier this week. In the letter, Harrison, the CSX president and CEO, apologized for recent disruptions in service and laid some of the blame on employees.