2018's challenge: Too many jobs, not enough workers

Employers nationwide are grappling with a problem that threatens to stall economic growth: vacancies - and lots of them. Florida lacks the construction workers to keep up with its housing need, plus additional repairs from Hurricane Irma. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» The year in wages and work

5,000 rape kits result in 1,300 DNA "hits" in Florida

Nearly 5,600 previously unprocessed sexual assault kits have now been tested, according to new statistics released by the attorney general’s office. These recently processed kits have resulted in nearly 1,400 hits in a federal DNA database. Prior to a 2016 law, Florida had not required rape kits to be tested. See the statement from the Florida Attorney General's office, here. Also read more at WTXL.

South Florida’s real estate reckoning could be closer than you think

When will the growing risks associated with rising seas and more severe storms begin to affect home values in otherwise desirable coastal markets? Nowhere is that question more pressing than South Florida, which has some of the country’s priciest properties—and some of the most vulnerable [Source: Bloomberg]

» Related: Report on Sea-Level Rise from Florida Trend:
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. Report starts here.

Skippers beware: South Florida charts may be off in the wake of a hurricane

When Hurricane Irma rolled across the Florida Keys this fall, it wasn’t just the motels and marinas, Tom Thumbs, stilt houses and shell shacks strung along the island chain that got slammed. Underwater, the storm pushed around massive amounts of sand, uncovering ancient reefs and burying some closer to its path. Some channels got filled, others reconfigured. [Source: Miami Herald]

Airbnb a key player in record-setting year of Florida tourism

Florida and Airbnb are making an excellent pair, as a new report shows users of the global vacation rental website had a significant role in the state’s record-setting tourism year. In 2017, nearly 40,000 Florida Airbnb hosts earned a combined $450 million from approximately 2.7 million guests, according to company figures released Thursday. Full news release from Airbnb (with stats) here. Also read more at Florida Politics and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› SpaceX's three-core Falcon Heavy rolls out to KSC launch pad [Florida Today]
SpaceX's flagship Falcon Heavy launch vehicle emerged from a Kennedy Space Center hangar on Thursday, marking another milestone ahead of the premiere launch that will secure its position as the most powerful rocket in the world.

› Divers play key role in expanding artificial reef options for Northwest Florida [WEAR]
Artificial reefs are a $3 billion a year industry in Florida, and the panhandle is getting its share of the profits. Brian Asher is a dive master for Niuhi Dive Charters in Pensacola. He said divers come from all over the world come to explore our waters.

› National Greyhound Association urges Florida to update drug testing rules [Press Release]
After a recent judicial ruling invalidating Florida's drug testing protocols for racing dogs, the National Greyhound Association is asking state officials to work with them on "sensible, fair" new regulations. Also read more at the Pensacola News Journal.

› OSHA fines Tampa Electric, contractor $160,000 for fatal accident at Big Bend [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Electric and a contractor will have to pay more than $160,000 in fines for a June accident that killed five workers at the Big Bend Power Station, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday.

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› Florida's juvenile arrests drop to historic 42-year low [Press release]
Despite more than doubling in population, Florida had the fewest number of juvenile arrests last fiscal year since it began keeping statistics 42 years ago. Gov. Rick Scott's office and the Department of Juvenile Justice released statistics Thursday saying that Florida had 64,824 juvenile arrests in the fiscal year that ended June 30. Also read more from the AP.

› United Way of North Central Florida: 60 years of helping the community shine [Gainesville Business Report]
In 2017, United Way of North Central Florida celebrated its 60th year in the community. Though the years have brought several name changes and different faces, United Way of North Central Florida’s mission to improve the lives of community members has remained the same.

› Change to Florida opioid law goes into effect Monday [Action News Jax]
Beginning Monday doctors and pharmacies will have just 24 hours to enter information into a statewide electronic database – a change from the previous seven-day time allowance. Change to Florida opioid law goes into effect Monday Many feel Florida’s opioid laws still aren’t tough enough even with this change.

› Plan envisions ‘rapid’ bus trips from St. Pete to beaches [Tampa Bay Times]
For the first time in the Tampa Bay region, transportation planners want to give buses their own dedicated lanes. The proposed bus rapid transit, or BRT, system would allow buses to use those lanes to make faster, more reliable trips between downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches.