Despite storms, Florida’s land rush endures

Florida was built on the seductive delusion that a swamp is a fine place for paradise. The state’s allure — peddled first by visionaries and hucksters, most famously in the Great Florida Land Boom of the 1920s — is no less potent today. Only, now there is a twist: Florida is no longer the swampy backwater it once was. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Floridians worry about elder care and end-of-life arrangements

Hurricane Irma greatly heightened concerns about the care of Florida’s senior population. But even before the storm, Floridians were worried that not enough is being done to care for and protect the state’s burgeoning senior population. (Florida has the nation’s highest proportion of residents 65 and older—20%.) The 2017 USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey shows high levels of anxiety about elder issues: Nursing home costs? Too high. Protection against thieving caregivers? Too little. See all the results here.

Air Berlin ending Fort Myers flights

Air Berlin expects to end flights to Fort Myers, but airport officials have been working to lure other carriers before the season starts. The Fort Myers airport (also known as RSW) sent its aviation development team to convince other European carriers to fly into Southwest Florida. More from the Naples Daily News.

Gov. Scott replaces head of emergency operations

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday announced the abrupt departure of the head of the state Department of Emergency Management, Bryan Koon, and replaced him with Scott’s former campaign aide and Republican Party of Florida operative Wes Maul. More from the Times/Herald.

Orlando business leader calls city plan to give $150,000 to group favoritism

Dennis Pape, who runs the Catalyst space in downtown Orlando, told Mayor Buddy Dyer and the city council that $150,000 destined for a specific group would be better used if spread around or if it were bid competitively. More from the Orlando Sentinel.