Florida may counter "growing threat" to election security

Saying there is a "growing threat" to Florida's election systems, the state may spend nearly $2.4 million in the coming year on cybersecurity efforts designed to protect election-related software and systems from outside hackers. Gov. Rick Scott included the request in budget recommendations he gave to the Florida Legislature last week. Scott asked for the money even though state officials have provided limited details behind efforts to infiltrate Florida's election systems ahead of the 2016 elections. [Source: AP]

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» How secure do you think Florida's election system is? (quick poll)

Looking for a job in South Florida? Options are increasing — and maybe wages, too

South Florida job hunters found more options last month as Hurricane Irma became a memory. And that could mean wages will soon increase. Unemployment rates in South Florida held steady and employment in nearly all sectors showed gains, according to a monthly report released Friday. [Source: Miami Herald]

See also:
» Latest employment data from Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)

Record number of sea turtle nests counted in Florida

Officials are reporting a record number of green sea turtle nests have been found in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said on Friday that staff for the agency had documented approximately 39,000 green sea turtle nests. Full news release from the FWC is here. Also read more at Spectrum News 13 and WPTV.

Federal judge orders Florida to treat sick inmates

Florida may have to pay millions to treat as many as 20,000 inmates after a federal judge ruled state prison officials failed to properly care for felons infected with the hepatitis C virus. Treating the 7,000 to 20,000 inmates the department's expert says may be eligible could cost the state $200 million to $700 million. [Source: AP]

Florida citrus industry again passed over for federal relief

Rep. Tom Rooney, who has led the charge for relief for Florida's citrus growers, is ticked off that the latest White House disaster aid request to Congress does not include money for the industry hit by Hurricane Irma. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› BRIDG gears up high-tech clean room for business [Orlando Sentinel]
Huge pieces of equipment and technology arrive regularly at the BRIDG center for advanced manufacturing research near Kissimmee. Soon the labs at BRIDG will start designing and producing innovative, cutting-edge micro-electronics that will be used in sensors and photonics.

› South Florida to see strong year-end holiday travel season starting [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Airlines flying to and from South Florida as well as hotels in the region will likely see higher consumer demand for tickets and rooms for the 2017 year-end holiday travel season, kicking off with Thanksgiving Day, industry specialists say.

› Treasure Coast farms contribute to Thanksgiving feasts [TCPalm]
More than 47,000 Florida commercial farms are among the most productive in the world, furnishing the nation with a dependable and safe supply of food, and providing Florida with a stable economic base.

› Argentines become power players in Miami real estate [Miami Herald]
Some foreign buyers come because of political instability and lack of security in their countries, others because of weather, beaches and everything else Miami has to offer. Whatever the reason, Miami has become one of the most desired international destinations in today’s market for a permanent or second (or third!) home.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Spirit Airlines turns to Disney to improve its customer service [LA Times]
Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier from Florida, has reported some of the biggest profit margins of any airline in the country but the airline also has had the highest rate of complaints by passengers for problems such as canceled flights, delayed departures and poor customer service.

› Foreign investors boost Orlando housing market [Orlando Sentinel]
Despite this year’s Brexit uncertainties, federal immigration concerns and lucrative stock market earnings, international investors drove more than $2 billion in residential sales in Metro Orlando during a recent yearlong period that ended in July.

› HSN, Good Housekeeping pick five contest finalists [Press Release]
Good Housekeeping and St. Petersburg-based HSN have chosen five finalists for their entrepreneur competition. The partners are searching for a novel item to promote as endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, denoting reliability and quality. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

› Southwest Florida retailers extend holiday pricing to boost sales [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Southwest Florida has lost six major retailers since the last holiday season, and that kind of chaos has much of the industry wondering just what kind of Christmas these traditional brick-and-mortar players are going to have.