In swing-state Florida, the 2018 congressional election has already begun

Fifteen months before next year’s congressional midterm elections, political organizations are already involved in field operations, making calls to voters and knocking on their doors in what has become a never-ending campaign cycle. Many super PACs have ramped up, including the Congressional Leadership Fund, which has pledged to spend $100 million over two years to try to keep the House under GOP control. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida Trend Exclusive
USF ties in with Jeff Vinik in a new sports marketing deal

Knowing its 10-year marketing partnership with IMG would expire this summer, the University of South Florida’s athletic department began looking for a better deal, one that would bring more revenue to the school and also boost USF’s sports brand while livening up the game experience for fans. Read the full story from Forida Trend, here.

Alex Rodriguez likes empty stores in Miami area

Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has the license to open UFC-branded workout gyms in the Miami area. And with stores at shopping centers closing at a record pace, A-Rod and his partner are searching for shuttered brick-and-mortar locations to fuel their expansion in South Florida. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Now's your chance to reshape Florida's constitution

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission — a body convened every 20 years to recommend amendments to the state Constitution — has recommended Sept. 22 as the deadline for members of the public to propose amendments they'd like to see on the November 2018 ballot. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]

See also
» How to submit a proposed constitutional amendment to Florida's Constitutional Revision Commission

Column: As unemployment drops, build a bench to keep your business on track

Many middle-market business owners complain of challenges finding skilled people — ranging from top brass to rank and file. If you are having that same issue, then it's time to invest in recruiting, training and mentorship programs to cultivate talent from interns and trainees. This will enable you to build a bench of up-and-comers who will grow to become tomorrow’s superstars. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› For Cedar Key, diagnosis is in on sea level rise [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
For Florida’s low-lying Nature Coast, salt water is already creeping up. Cedar Key has already experienced saltwater intrusion of its drinking water wellfield.

› Yet another group pulls event out of Trump's Mar-a-Lago [Money]
The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society on Sunday joined a list of what is now at least nine nonprofits, charities and other organizations that have said they won't give business to the posh club in Palm Beach, Florida.

› Reports of Florida panthers preying on domestic animals, cattle on record pace [Naples Daily News]
The number of verified cases of Florida panthers preying on livestock is on a record pace in 2017. From ranches near Immokalee to backyards in Golden Gate Estates, panthers have injured or killed 83 animals in 38 separate incidents so far this year.

› Pinellas wants to see impact of tourism bucks spent on big events [Tampa Bay Times]
Pinellas County relies on more than just beaches to attract visitors. County government also spends millions to help sponsor big-name events to draw even more tourists.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Gay rights is personal for Florida gubernatorial candidates [AP]
The leading Democrats running for Florida governor met with gay and lesbian party members Saturday in an event that at times was touching and personal, and served as a reminder that Florida is a place where people can still be discriminated against because of who they love.

› Jacksonville’s Tech Coast Conference set for Wednesday, organizers hope to recapture energy from 2016 event [Florida Times-Union]
Organizers of the fourth annual Tech Coast Conference slated for Wednesday in Jacksonville hope to recapture some of the energy of last year’s event that by their own admission was bigger and better than they had anticipated.

› What are the 63 hate groups in Florida and are they dangerous? [Florida Today]
In the wake of last weekend's tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, you might have heard this nugget of information: 63 hate groups are active in Florida. Only California has more.

› Raytheon whistleblower lawsuit dismissed [Orlando Sentinel]
A federal judge in Orlando ruled recently that there was no evidence to support a whistleblower lawsuit against Raytheon Company that accused the defense contractor of overbilling the Army for services in Afghanistan.