Why Florida insurers could double homeowners' rates

Florida has seen its share of calamities, but an "epidemic of insurance claims" could shove the Sunshine State down a financial sinkhole even before the next hurricane hits. Lawyers and "restoration companies" have teamed up to create a superstorm of lawsuits forcing Florida's home and auto insurers to either raise rates -- or leave the state. [Source: CBS News]

Related:
» Security First report titled, "Troubled Water: An analysis of water damage claims and the impact on homeowner’s insurance premiums in Florida"

FBI agents went undercover in Florida's capital for the 'biggest investigation in years'

Whispers of corruption are commonplace in Tallahassee. Teeming with lobbyists, professors and political sophisticates, local officials can barely keep an arms-length from those who seek to influence them. Now, political gadflies are bracing for indictments to come as sure as August afternoon thunderstorms. [Source: USA Today]

Companies in Florida, Australia team up to service Australian military aircraft

U.S. and Australian defense contractors have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement for the sales of products and services in Australia. The companies are Florida-headquartered Associated Aircraft Manufacturing and Sales Inc. and Milspec Services Pty Ltd. of Queensland, Australia. See the statement from AAMI, here. Also read more at UPI.

Florida PSC looks at paying for nuclear projects today

The Florida Public Service Commission is holding its annual hearing to discuss whether — and how much — Floridians will pay for its utilities' nuclear power projects. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Trade groups call on U.S. to investigate CSX rail disruptions

Dozens of U.S. trade groups have asked federal rail regulators to investigate Jacksonville-based CSX Corp's "chronic service failures," saying problems at No. 3 U.S. railroad have rippled across the North American rail network. [Source: Reuters]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida cities place first, second and third in 'Best Cities To Retire' study [WalletHub]
With retirement confidence declining in 2017 and nearly four in 10 American workers having little or no money saved for their golden years, WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017’s Best & Worst Places to Retire. Below are the Top 5, and the Bottom 5 cities. See the full report here.

Best Cities to Retire		Worst Cities to Retire
1	Orlando, FL	146	Detroit, MI
2	Tampa, FL	147	Worcester, MA
3	Miami, FL	148	San Bernardino, CA
4	Scottsdale, AZ	149	Providence, RI
5	Atlanta, GA	150	Newark, NJ

› Opinion: Miami International Airport in the forefront of cargo industry revival [Miami Herald]
After several years of global stagnation, the air cargo industry is experiencing a revival — and Miami International Airport (MIA) is at the forefront of that resurgence.

› Panhandle beekeepers offering classes to help manage hives [WFSU]
As the beekeeping industry grows in Florida, it’s important for beekeepers to learn the science-based best management practices for maintaining their hives.

› KKK groups are growing in Florida, even as they rise and fall across the U.S. [McClatchy]
For many people, hate groups are more an abstract concept than a real, physical threat. But they’re growing – both in the U.S. and Florida specifically – and the Charlottesville, Virginia attack that killed one woman and injured several people shows their destructive capabilities.

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› North Port’s King Plastic looks to new campus for expansion [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In June, King Plastic Corp. received approval from the North Port City Commission on a development plan for an 100,800-square-foot expansion. Once complete, that expansion would again allow the largest private manufacturing employer in the city to double its output.

› South Florida hearing scheduled over Citizens Insurance' hefty rate hike request [South Florida Business Journal]
South Florida residents angry about double-digit rate increases proposed by state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for 2018 won’t have to travel far to make their views known.

› Report: Lack of command stymied response to Florida airport shooting [WKMG]
A report shows that there was a command and communications breakdown among law enforcement during January's deadly shooting at a Florida airport.

› Corp of Engineers hosting job fair in Jacksonville [Florida Times-Union]
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a job fair in Jacksonville next week, seeking to fill about 50 positions.