Hurricane Irma: 100 days later

In the 100 days since the Sept. 10 presidential disaster declaration following Hurricane Irma’s destructive path through Florida, the state, with help from federal partners, has progressed from a response to significant recovery. As of Dec. 14, federal agencies have provided more than $2.49 billion to help cover losses caused by Hurricane Irma [Source: Apopka Voice]

See also:
» Irma insurance claims near 866,000
» Businesses hurt by Irma have until June 11 to apply for SBA loans
» Florida Reps review state's hurricane response plan after Hurricane Irma
» Will shelters for 35,000 be enough for the next hurricane?
» 99 days later, Hurricane Irma debris finally gone

Investigation concludes Sen. Jack Latvala’s conduct may be criminal

A Florida Senate investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala could now go before a criminal prosecutor after a retired judge found that the Clearwater Republican may have committed both sexual harassment and sexual assault against multiple women. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the AP.

Congress moves closer to approving aid for Florida's citrus growers

Florida’s citrus growers can nearly taste the orange aid for which they’ve been thirsting. The latest $81 billion disaster relief bill House leaders have crafted would include $2.6 billion for hurricane-related agriculture relief. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Orlando envisions a sports-theme plan under an I-4 overpass

I-4 cuts an unsightly gash through downtown Orlando, creating an elevated obstacle that separates the central business and nightlife district from the city’s sports venues. The “Under i” plan calls for turning mostly parking spaces below the interstate downtown into a recreational area. Go to article (part of a business news roundup for central Florida).

Florida’s minimum wage set to rise to $8.25

Florida’s minimum wage will rise from $8.10 to $8.25 an hour on Jan. 1, one of 18 states in line for a hike in the new year along with 20 cities and municipalities. A report from the National Employment Law Project estimates that once all the increases are fully phased in, 15 million workers will see raises. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Wages not keeping up with booming job growth in Southwest Florida [NBC 2]
Last week, Smart Asset named Cape Coral as its "Top Boomtown" in the U.S. for its job growth in 2017. But worker's wages aren't keeping up with the higher job demand.

› NC bank expands Florida presence with deal [Press Release]
HomeBancorp Inc. and its subsidiary, HomeBanc, are being acquired by Raleigh, N.C.-based First Citizens Bank in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, cash consideration of $15.03 will be paid to the shareholders of HomeBancorp for each share of HomeBancorp’s common stock. Also read more at Business Observer.

› Top GRU officials face complaint [Gainesville Sun]
The highest-ranking official at Gainesville Regional Utilities is the subject of a harassment investigation following a series of emails sent last month to city employees and the city’s human resources director.

› Tampa International Airport hasn’t suffered an Atlanta-style loss of power, but it is prepared for one [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa International Airport sees about one-fifth as many passengers as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but a major power outage there could cause disruptions to air travel, too.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Taking a look at Japanese trains might help south Florida transportation [Fort Lauderdale Daily]
Brightline, America’s first privately owned passenger train line in three decades, is expected to work together with Tri-Rail trains, local buses, light rail, taxis, ride-share apps and whatever else is next. How could all that come together? Luckily, there’s an answer, and it begins on a Japanese bullet train.

› Florida's Attorney General alleges Broward County charity exploited families of firefighters, others [South Florida Business Journal]
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a civil complaint against a Pompano Beach charity for allegedly soliciting donations for firefighters and breast cancer research that instead went to other uses.

› Palm Beach County is first county in Florida to ban conversion therapy [Palm Beach Post]
Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday to ban conversion therapy for minors, becoming the first county in the state to approve such a ban.

› Lennar taps into active-adult lifestyle with homes near Tampa Bay’s second Crystal Lagoon [Tampa Bay Times]
Americans are living longer and staying a lot more active than they used to. The nation’s home-building industry is eager to capitalize on that trend. Now Lennar, the nation’s largest homebuilder, is planning its first Tampa Bay active-adult homes in a new development in southern Hillsborough County.