Power is back on in Florida, but utilities still under fire

After a massive restoration effort, most of Florida has power 10 days after Hurricane Irma knocked out electricity to nearly two-thirds of the state, mostly because of improvements made to the power grid since Hurricane Wilma 12 years ago. In the immediate aftermath of Irma's fury, some 6.7 million homes and businesses were without power. By Wednesday, that number had dropped to more than 75,000. The pace of restoring power, however, did little to comfort those without it. [Source: AP]

See also:
» About 50 Florida state parks still closed by Hurricane Irma
» South Floridians without internet and cellular service can’t get answers
Updates from FPL, Duke Energy (press releases)
» FPL: Restoration workforce triples in Southwest Florida with focus on Hurricane Irma's hardest-hit areas
» Duke Energy: Duke Energy wrapping up final restorations on isolated post-Irma power outages in Florida

Fed says hurricanes will have no lasting economic impact

As yet another hurricane rips through the Caribbean, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday said two of its nastiest predecessors, Harvey and Irma, will have little long-lasting economic effects. One quote:

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have devastated many communities, inflicting severe hardship. Storm-related disruptions and rebuilding will affect economic activity in the near term, but past experience suggests that the storms are unlikely to materially alter the course of the national economy over the medium term. Consequently, the Committee continues to expect that, with gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace, and labor market conditions will strengthen somewhat further.

See the full economic statement from the Federal Reserve, here. Also read more at CNBC.

See also:
» Irma took your job? State offers another short-term solution

How the slightest shift kept Hurricane Irma from turning into an even worse disaster

With hundreds of lives and billions in property on the line, the way atmospheric forces nudged the storm just a few miles made all the difference. A lot of things went Florida’s way at the last minute,” said Phil Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

States moves toward more medical marijuana licenses

Seemingly learning from past mistakes, state health officials have issued an emergency rule outlining the application process for new medical-marijuana vendors seeking to receive licenses in two weeks. [Source: WJXT]

Aldi on hiring spree, wants 500 workers in Florida

Discount grocer Aldi is looking to hire as many as 500 Floridians on Thursday, and is promising pay higher than many other retailers. Aldi will hosting a hiring event at every Florida store on Thursday, Sept. 21, according to a release from the company. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida GOP: Polk and Volusia counties are now majority Republican [Tampa Bay Times]
The Republican Party of Florida announced in a Wednesday release that the party has flipped two counties, Polk and Volusia, that were once majority-Democrat to majority-Republican.

› Miami’s art in public places program a picture of dissent [Miami Today]
The City of Miami is still getting grief about its proposal to expand its new Art in Public Places Program to include private developments. Some developers and representatives of building contractors have voiced concern and opposition to the city’s move.

Florida's Movers & Influencers See some of Florida's top executive moves, board appointments, civic accomplishments, and more at Florida Trend's Movers & Influencers. Each profile appears in three places: in a weekly eNewsletter, online at FloridaTrend.com and in a monthly print issue of Florida Trend. Read more here.

› Jacksonville food truck Catullo’s to open brick-and-mortar restaurant [Florida Times-Union]
Carl Catullo and his brother, Dave, have been parking their food truck, Catullo’s Italian, across Jacksonville for nearly two years. Now, the duo is gearing up to serve their Italian specialties at a brick-and-mortar location.

› Orlando's hotel occupancy rate rises in August [Orlando Sentinel]
The Orlando hotel market saw increases in occupancy rates and revenue per room during August, according to figures supplied by STR, a company that collects lodging data.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Anthem set to acquire Florida Medicare Advantage plan [Press Release]
Anthem agreed Wednesday to buy HealthSun, a growing Medicare Advantage plan with 40,000 members and a network of clinics in south Florida. Terms were not disclosed. Also read more at Modern Healthcare.

› Keys officials hoping to have tourists returning in droves fairly soon [CBS Miami]
While the Florida Keys are likely weeks from any full-fledged tourism push, Monroe County leaders are hoping tourists give them about another week or so before going down to start pumping life back into the Keys economy.

› Home values continue to climb in Manatee-Sarasota region [Bradenton Herald]
A continuing shortage of available single-family homes didn’t slow sales in Manatee County last month, with August marking one of the strongest stretches of the year – even in a market seemingly stacked against buyers.
» See also: Shortage of listings pushing home prices higher in South Florida

› South Florida multi-service organization will close next week [Behavioral Healthcare Executive]
A West Palm Beach, Fla., addiction treatment and sober living program is the latest casualty of tumultuous financial conditions in the industry.