Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Daily Pulse

Most expensive hurricane season ever nears an end

Including a 10-year streak without a hurricane making landfall in Florida, and dodging the worst nature could have offered in 2016, many in the state were cautiously optimistic entering the 2017 hurricane season. But as the record-breaking six-month season comes to a close Thursday, few Floridians would feel that way now. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Bloomberg.

See also:
» After a brutal hurricane season, there’s a silver lining: better forecasts
» Florida death toll from Hurricane Irma keeps rising

The next threat for Florida's coastal cities is flood insurance reform

As Congress considers changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, cities on the water say rising premiums present an existential threat. On a national level, Florida is one of the “healthy” states keeping the NFIP afloat — its homeowners pay far more in premiums than they take out in reimbursements. [Source: Next City]

Michelle Dennard Michelle Dennard

Column: Growing apprenticeships will strengthen Florida's economy

The talent gap we face in Florida is not a new problem nor is it unique to our state. According to the Florida Chamber, while more than 400,000 are looking for jobs, we still have 232,000 jobs looking for people. Florida’s employers and workforce development, economic development and education entities are collaborating to bridge that gap with a new focus on apprenticeships. Read the full column by Michelle Dennard, CEO of CareerSource Florida.

Prized Florida sport fish may get some protection

Permit, one of the most elusive sport fish cruising Florida Keys flats, could be in for an added measure of protection. An existing three-month closed season on taking permit from South Florida waters may be extended to four months under a proposal reaching the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida attorney John Morgan unlikely to run for governor

For months, attorney John Morgan has flirted with the possibility of seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2018 race. But Morgan tweeted on Friday that after spending Thanksgiving with his family that "I can't muster the enthusiasm to run for the nomination." But Morgan wrote the Tampa Bay Times in an email that he still may run as an independent. "I never say never," Morgan wrote. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Businesses near Orlando City Stadium say first season was a success
It remains to be seen if the fans who visited on game days will return to the west-Orlando neighborhood during the off-season, but nearby businesses said they were happy to have the boost, which they expect will only grow in the future.

› Local Palm Beach business owner said he loses $1,000 a day when Trump visits
When President Trump arrived at his Florida estate for the Thanksgiving holiday, his return was not welcome news for some local business owners and community members. The reason for many is not political, or even personal. It’s business.

› Martinique boosters tout air route from Fort Lauderdale in quest of visitors from South Florida
Fancy a holiday with a French twist? Want to practice saying “Bonjour” or “Bonsoir” in an exotic locale closer to home than Paris? Then Martinique could be just the ticket, tourism boosters from the French-Caribbean island say.

› A retail reckoning in Bradenton
For some time, DeSoto Square Mall has felt more like a wasteland than a shopping center. Doors are shut. Gates are closed. Shells of old chains linger. The lines of vacant storefronts look almost as if one caught brick-and-mortar retail’s black plague and passed it down the line.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Seminole Heights businesses draw support despite recent killings
Some Seminole Heights business owners are expecting a record holiday shopping season in spite of the recent series of murders in the neighborhood. They will be relying, in part, on new customers to balance out those who have been scared off by the four killings that began in mid-October.

› New brokerage powers into Palm Beach yachting market
Competition makes the business world turn, and there’s a little extra spin in Palm Beach’s yacht brokerage market this season with the arrival of IYC on Royal Palm Way.

› Patriot National lays off 250 workers, enters forbearance agreement with lenders
Fort Lauderdale-based Patriot National, which provides outsourced and technology services to insurance companies, is laying off 250 workers. The terminations result from its largest customer, Guarantee Insurance Co., entering state-supervised receivership, the company reported.

› A Miami Republican makes enemies in Washington
Carlos Curbelo is picking fights. He attacked the NRA for opposing his bill to ban a firearm accessory that allows semi-automatic rifles to fire like automatics. He attacked the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, currently made up of all Democrats. And he is attacking the Trump administration and fellow Republicans.