Hurricane Harvey isn’t hitting Florida — but it may hit gas prices

Floridians may feel a hit at the gas pump as Hurricane Harvey makes landfall in Texas this weekend. The hurricane is forecasted to intensify into a Category 3 storm with winds of at least 111 mph by the time it hits the Texas coast. More from the Miami Herald and WTXL.

See also:
» Hurricane Harvey could be major storm, threatening one-third of US refining capacity

Florida rice cultivation is on the rise

Rice is one of the most popular menu items at restaurants and kitchen tables throughout Florida. Yet, Florida consumers may be surprised to know the rice at their local supermarket is likely to have been locally grown by their neighbors in western Palm Beach County. [Source: Belle Glade Sun]

Opioid addicts find fraud at Florida recovery centers

Rather than working to get people well, a growing number of unscrupulous industry players are focusing on getting addicts to relapse so that insurance dollars keep rolling in, according to law enforcement officials, treatment experts and addicts in recovery. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.

A trip to Walmart's innovation store in Florida reveals new shopping perks

With all the doom and gloom about the state of the retail industry, it isn't easy to find a company other than Amazon that is considered a bright spot among the ongoing narrative of declining sales and shuttered stores. But Walmart is proving it will not go gentle into that good night. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Despite scrutiny Florida's tourism agency paid out bonuses

Florida's tourism marketing agency paid nearly $441,000 in employee bonuses this summer despite months of scrutiny from legislators over spending. A Visit Florida spokesman said the use of bonuses was approved in May 2016. [Source: AP]

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» Bonuses could be targeted at Enterprise Florida

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Port Canaveral expects to exceed $100M budget milestone [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral could reach a financial milestone in the coming budget year. Its projected annual revenue is expected to top $100 million for the first time ever in the budget year that begins Oct. 1.

› Sunrise-based Sawgrass Mutual agrees to 'wind down' insurance operation [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sunrise-based Sawgrass Mutual Insurance Co. is winding down its insurance operations and apparently headed out of business, according to a consent order made public this week by state insurance regulators

› Florida House will investigate where legislator lives [AP]
House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Thursday created a special committee to look into allegations that Rep. Daisy Baez, a Democrat from the Miami area, has not been living in her district during most or all of her time in the House.

› Paul Thorpe, ‘Mr. Downtown’ Sarasota, dies at 91 [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
City and community officials are mourning the loss this week of legendary Sarasota leader Paul Thorpe, affectionately known as “Mr. Downtown.” Remembered for his kindness and humility, community leaders contend Thorpe never sought credit for the multitude of roles to promote the heart of the city.

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› He built four Trump towers in South Florida, now billionaire Jorge M. Perez eyes Tampa Bay [Tampa Bay Times]
Jorge M. Perez and his Related Group are bullish on Tampa Bay. How bullish? Some $350 million worth. That's how much the Miami-based company has invested so far in the area, particularly in the city of Tampa.

› MLS All-Star bid is still on the table for Orlando City, despite looming deadline [Orlando Sentinel]
Orange County officials are still scrutinizing a request to use tourist tax dollars to bring the 2019 MLS All-Star game to Orlando City Stadium.

› Florida Patients Stranded By State-Contracted Ride Service [WUSF]
Imagine being stranded without a ride to the doctor or arriving hours late to medical appointments that your life literally depends on. Those are Florida patients’ most common grievances with a company the state pays to arrange medical transportation for people with disabilities.

› Florida renews no-fault battle, up to $1B driver savings at stake [Palm Beach Post]
A Vero Beach lawmaker said Wednesday she will again file a bill to repeal Florida’s no-fault car insurance system, but with key differences compared with a Senate bill introduced days ago.