Florida Trend Exclusive

Forget climate change histrionics; the seas around Florida have been rising for eons. How quickly they rise over the next 100 years, however, will pose a host of challenges for the state — and reshape Florida in the years to come. Timing is everything. First of a series on sea-level rise in Florida.

» Quick poll: What is your level of concern regarding sea-level rise in Florida?
» Next up in this series: What we'll see -- present day through 2025 and 2025 - 2050.

Florida businesses race to meet fast delivery expectations

Florida’s small businesses are racing to keep up with new demands for custom products delivered at dizzying speeds. With expectations that nearly all consumer goods be delivered in as little as two days, makers of T-shirts, baseball cleats and more are overhauling business models and factories. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Bipartisan group pushes for better debates, better elections in Florida

There’s a lot of ugliness in politics. But members of a new group in Central Florida are trying to raise the bar — on discourse, on issues and in campaigning. And they think it all starts with solid debates. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

The Sunshine Economy: Construction -- building more with less labor

Construction cranes may dot the South Florida skyline. Construction zones may occupy our streets. Cement trucks and tractor trailers carrying bulldozers may mingle in our traffic. But there are fewer people working in construction in South Florida than there were a decade ago when the real estate boom came crashing down. [Source: WLRN]

FSU suspends all fraternities, sororities following death of a pledge

Florida State University president John Thrasher indefinitely suspended all fraternities and sororities Monday following the death of a fraternity pledge and another student’s unrelated drug arrest over the weekend. See the full story from FSU, here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Heico Corp. inks its fourth acquisition this year [South Florida Business Journal]
A subsidiary company of South Florida’s Heico Corp., an airplane-parts maker that boasts a market value of about $6.5 billion, has acquired a California-based company.

› Peak South Florida cruise season opens with 'smart' ships, fancy terminals, luxe voyage [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
It’s time for South Florida’s annual peak cruise season, and passengers are about to be greeted with “smart” ships that offer high-tech concierge services, a re-imagined cruise terminal with a movie theater, digital avatar sailing companions and ultra-luxury voyages with butler service.

› FPL seeks state go-ahead to purchase Vero Beach’s power company [Miami Herald]
After what it described as “very extended discussions and negotiations,” Florida Power & Light is asking state regulators to clear the way for a $185 million deal to purchase a utility system run by the city of Vero Beach.

› On sexual harassment, Gov. Scott slams Latvala, but went soft on Trump [Tampa Bay Times]
On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott explained how he felt about the controversy around Sen. Jack Latvala. "When they're in the workplace, I would be horrified if (his wife or two daughters) were treated improperly," Scott said. "It's disgusting if anybody does that. You know, there's an independent investigation and we need to follow that and find out the real facts of what actually happened." Also on Monday, Sen. Jack Latvala was removed as Senate budget chief.

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› Florida gas prices could rise this week [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Gas prices never fell back to pre-hurricane levels despite declining for 47 straight days after Irma and Harvey, and now they’re headed up again. But the reversal might be short-lived, AAA said in its weekly gas-price update.

› Sarasota vocational training center celebrates grand opening [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Vincent Academy, a new Sarasota vocational training center for adults with mental health challenges, which has been running on a limited schedule since a “soft opening” in June, will celebrate its official grand opening Thursday as it moves into full-scale operation.

› Intertwined therapy disciplines come together at Spring Hill business [Tampa Bay Times]
Rehability, a one-stop shop at which patients can avail themselves of each of the intertwined disciplines, launched in May, fulmination of a long-range plan of Art and Desiree Gagne, husband and wife, orthotist-prostheticist and physical-occupational therapist, respectively.

› Why is parking in Miami so expensive — and such a hassle? [Miami Herald]
It might be a hassle. But parking is also a mammoth business that generates $29 billion in revenue in the U.S. And as South Florida’s population swells and its urban landscape gets denser, parking is playing an increasingly important role in the region’s fabric.