Medical marijuana license delays anger Florida state senators

Frustrated senators grilled Florida's pot czar Tuesday, demanding explanations for why his office missed a legislatively mandated deadline to issue new medical-marijuana licenses and why ailing patients are stuck waiting for state-issued ID cards. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

See also:
» Sarasota County medical marijuana dispensaries planned

Gov. Scott heads to Chicago for latest job recruiting trip

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is heading to Chicago in his latest bid to convince companies to relocate. This marks the first time, however, Scott is targeting a state controlled by a Republican governor. Scott over the last three years has visited states led by Democratic governors. See the announcement from Gov. Scott. Also read more from the AP and Florida Politics.

It’s not too late to apply for a disaster loan if you were impacted by Hurricane Irma

There is still time for Florida residents and businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma to apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA said Tuesday that more than $129 million in low-interest disaster loans have already been approved for Floridians. The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Nov. 9, 2017. The deadline for economic injury applications is June 11, 2018. Find out how to apply, here. Also read more at the Miami Herald]

See also:
» SBA approves $129M in Hurricane Irma disaster loans for Florida
» Sen. Nelson: Disaster aid bill passes Senate

Florida Trend Exclusive
Fountain of youth

Historic St. Augustine courts younger travelers. The St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau is targeting millennial families to expand the St. Augustine area’s tourism economy. The VCB’s marketing plan for 2018 sees that group as the best opportunity for growth as “aging Matures and Boomers” indicate they are less likely to visit. Read the full story from Florida Trend.

As Puerto Rico evacuees get new Florida licenses, there’s a catch

The state is working with county tax collectors to help evacuees work through red tape and apply for licenses, a critical first step to getting a job in the state. But an Orlando-area lawmaker says the state should be doing even more to help Hurricane Maria’s victims. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Two Florida cities ranked happiest places to live in America: Study [NBC Miami]
Two Florida cities have made National Geographic’s list of the happiest places to live in the United States. Those cities were not in South Florida, but along the state’s west coast: Naples and Sarasota.

› Bluegreen timeshare files for $100 million initial stock offering [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Bluegreen Vacations in Boca Raton, a growing timeshare company, has filed with regulators to raise $100 million in an initial public stock offering.

› Orlando fintech firm lands investment, expands to Atlanta [Orlando Sentinel]
A venture capital investment received by an Orlando financial technology company gives them entry into one of the largest payment-processing communities in the U.S.

› Texting while driving could become primary offense in Florida [WJXT]
A bill being considered in the legislature could make texting and driving a primary offense in Florida. That means drivers can be ticketed and fined if the bill is approved during the next legislative session. See Senate Bill 90, "Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving." which was introduced by state Senator Keith Perry on Tuesday.

Your turn:
» Should texting while driving in Florida become a primary offense? (quick poll)

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Replacing Miami’s beach sands costs millions. Here’s how Congress could make it cheaper [Miami Herald]
Miami is out of sand. Last year, Miami-Dade County depleted its offshore sand reserves, meaning miles of beaches that shrink from erosion must be replenished with sand from outside South Florida.

› Bill Nelson lays into FEMA for slow hurricane response [Tampa Bay Times]
Sen. Bill Nelson, a frequent presence on the Senate floor these days, tore into FEMA for a slow response in helping Floridians recover from Hurricane Irma.

› Florida Self Storage Association to Host Owners Summit [ISS]
The Florida Self Storage Association (FSSA) will host its annual Owners Summit, Nov. 1-2, at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Fla. Open to self-storage owners, operators and investors, the event will begin with an evening reception in the hotel’s Bay View Bar.

› Study finds Florida needs more pet-friendly shelters [FSU News]
Florida needs more pet-friendly shelters, especially for older adults who represent 50 to 75 percent of deaths following disasters like hurricanes, according to a recent study from Florida State University.