Florida businesses struggle to reopen without power

Roughly half of Florida's homes and businesses remained without electricity on Tuesday, two days after Hurricane Irma plowed through the state. A lot of the business recovery efforts there will depend on how quickly power can be restored. More from KUNC, the AP and the Washington Post.

See also:
» Irma Recovery: Some Florida credit unions back in business
» Hurricane Irma delivers serious punch to Florida agriculture
» After Irma, Florida law firms quickly get back to work
» Cell phone service still suffering around the state
» In the Keys, the world turned upside down
Your turn: » Did your business lose power during Hurricane Irma?(quick poll)

Florida Trend Exclusive
Research across Florida 2017

Researchers statewide are making headway into many areas of science. Read about UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, where diseases like Zika are studied, FSU’s effort to study autism, the collaboration between the Mayo Clinic and Sanford Burnham Prebys to find a potential solution to Parkinson’s -- and much more. Full story here.

» This article is part of Florida Trend's annual look at research and innovation in the Sunshine State, Research Florida.
» Coming tomorrow: Funding research -- who receives grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health in Florida

Scientists say damage to Florida’s coral reef has made the state more vulnerable to storm surges

As we begin to piece together the damage from Hurricane Irma in Florida, scientists are pointing to an environmental factor that may have made the storm’s impact worse: the ongoing loss of coral on the state’s increasingly threatened barrier reef. [Source: Washington Post]

IRS offers tax filing relief to Hurricane Irma victims in Florida and Puerto Rico

The Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday that Hurricane Irma victims in parts of Florida and other areas have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file some individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. Full story at this news release.

Hurricane Irma damage 'minor' to ULA launch site, SpaceX still assessing

Hurricane Irma caused “minor damage” to United Launch Alliance’s Space Coast facilities but did not harm important flight hardware, the company announced Tuesday. It’s the first assessment after Irma made its way up Florida’s Gulf coast. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› American Dream Miami mega-mall draws traffic concerns [Miami Herald]
Traffic In Miami-Dade and Broward counties is still a concern for the development of the American Dream Miami mega-mall in Northwest Miami-Dade County as meetings continue throughout the fall.

› After Hurricane Irma, tree service companies flooded with calls [Tampa Bay Times]
Tree removal companies across the state, like Mark Michaels' Tampa Bay Area business, comprised of five workers and two trucks, will be busy the next few weeks bringing a sense of normalcy to homes.

› Trump to visit Florida on Thursday [AP]
The White House says President Donald Trump will visit hurricane-stricken Florida on Thursday. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders did not announce the specific location or locations.

› Jacksonville sign company putting stamp on local and national business icons [Florida Times-Union]
A stroll through the production warehouse at Harbinger sign company on Jacksonville’s Southside is a visual visit to some of the most iconic business brands across the First Coast and America.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› FEMA estimates one-fourth of Keys homes could be destroyed [AP]
Search-and-rescue teams made their way into the Florida Keys' farthest reaches Tuesday, while crews labored to repair the single washed-out highway connecting the islands and rush aid to Hurricane Irma's victims.

› Developer Terry Stiles dies at age 70 after battle with cancer [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Terry Stiles, one of the most prominent developers in South Florida, has died after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 70. Stiles’ signature office projects include the New River Center, the AutoNation headquarters and the Bank of America Plaza at Las Olas City Centre, all in Fort Lauderdale.

See also:
» In this Florida Trend "Icon" interview with Terry Stiles,he reflects on a full life.

› Does Publix throw away returned food and water? Maybe donate unused hurricane supplies instead [Tampa Bay Times]
Now that the storm has passed, people may be inclined to return their food supplies back to the store. However, it's important to keep in mind that Publix and other grocers will throw away perishable items.

› Florida bike businesses plan to re-open this week [Bicycle Retailer]
Several bike suppliers and retailers in Florida say they plan to re-open this week following the storms this weekend, although many retailers and bike industry folks were unreachable due to power and telephone outages.