Hurricane Irma is now a killer storm as track targets Florida

Hurricane Irma is now a killer storm, leaving at least eight people dead in the Caribbean as the storm continues on a destructive path on the way to Florida. Exactly where in Florida Irma would hit was still not known, according to the National Hurricane Center’s advisory at 5 a.m. Thursday. More from the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Eight things to know about Category 5 storms
» Hurricane Irma could be bigger than Hurricane Andrew, Gov. Scott says
» Two South Florida nuclear power plants lie in Irma’s path. Are they ready?
» Hurricane Irma forces airlines to cancel, delay growing numbers of South Florida flights
» Hurricane Irma makes it tough to stock up, find a hotel or even book a flight
» How Gatorland staff gets ready for storm
» Jacksonville mayor declares state of emergency as Hurricane Irma continues on path
» Nelson and Rubio want Irma money added to Harvey disaster relief spending

Expecting 100,000 Hurricane Irma claims, Citizens approves extra adjusters, rules waiver

Expecting Hurricane Irma to generate 100,000 claims, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s governing board on Wednesday suspended normal contracting procedures so the company can pay more to hire additional claims adjusters. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Health care discoveries for the modern age

Nova Southeastern University's Center for Collaborative Research sits at the leading edge of life-saving and market-changing medical research for the Fort Lauderdale university and its partners. [Sponsored report]

Congress approves two new VA facilities in Florida

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation authorizing seven new major VA medical facilities in Florida. The new Florida facilities will be located in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tampa, Lakeland and two in Gainesville. [Source: Gainesville Business Report]

Gas prices likely to remain high as Floridians face Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Harvey may have passed, but Florida motorists are still feeling the residual wallet pinch, and AAA analysts expect prices to plateau but remain fairly high until Hurricane Irma passes. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» Hurricane Irma Set to Shut In Major Florida, Caribbean Petroleum Hubs

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Office Depot looks to speed delivery to better compete with online retailers [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With online competitors stealing market share, Boca Raton-based Office Depot said Wednesday it is partnering with a Silicon Valley startup that will allow it to deliver products faster to retail, e-commerce and business customers.

› Texas-based technology company brings 75 new jobs to Florida [AP]
Florida's governor says 75 new jobs with an annual salary of more than $50,000 are coming from a Texas-based business and technology services company.

› City of Miami budget tops $1 billion, adds 60 jobs [Miami Today]
The proposed budget for the coming fiscal year in the City of Miami is a symbol of financial stability and prosperity, as it tops out above $1 billion and includes creation of more than 60 new jobs to handle new and expanded services.

› CSX says its rail service is improving after major delays [Florida Times-Union]
CSX railroad says its service is improving after a summer marked by delays as it overhauled its operations, but the company is trimming its profit outlook.

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› Rayonier, Tembec amend acquisition terms [Florida Business Daily]
Two cellulose manufacturers recently made an amendment to a previous acquisition arrangement in which Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. of Jacksonville agreed to purchase Tembec Inc., with both firms’ boards of directors approving the new terms unanimously.

› Cruise lines canceling sailings from Port Canaveral [Florida Today]
Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean have canceled at least five cruises out of Port Canaveral, as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida. Meanwhile, Port Canaveral officials issued a statement saying they are "continuing to monitor Hurricane Irma as it strengthens."

› Florida-brewed beer: One Lakelander seeks a whiff of success [Lakeland Ledger]
Sean Kryger’s master’s thesis at the University of Florida’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will be on trying to create a Florida beer with homegrown ingredients. We’re a long way from a taste test.

› Downtown Jacksonville’s 8,600 residents on cusp of luring thousands more neighbors [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville’s up-and-down quest to attract residents downtown resulted in about 8,600 people making it their home, an amount that could nearly double if projects in the pipeline come to fruition.