Florida-Georgia water war could keep rolling along

Even if the U.S. Supreme Court gives Florida a favorable ruling in its lawsuit against Georgia over water flow into the Apalachicola River, the decision likely would result in more litigation and new legal challenges involving the decades-old water war between the states. A key issue will be developing an “equitable apportionment” of water in the river system would be weighing the benefits to Florida against the cost to Georgia. More from WPEC and the News Service of Florida.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Outskirt Steak: Chefs take creations outside central cities

Winter Garden has become a prime example of smart chefs, savvy diners and food entrepreneurs untethering themselves from hip enclaves in city centers. The town has blossomed into what may be the most food-forward small community in Florida. Full story here, includes photo gallery.

Trouble brewing? Trump’s tariffs worry Florida’s craft beer makers

Much of the craft beer industry, in Florida and beyond, is on edge, waiting to see how much President Donald Trump's aluminum and steel tariffs will affect their businesses. The forecast, according to brewers? Not so favorable. Breewers are concerned about increased costs of aluminum (for canning) and steel. Steel is extensively used in the beer brewing equipment. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Why Florida families are moving to Colorado to help their ill children

Like early American pioneers, Richard and Carol Wygand felt the call to head west. It would be a risk. The Wygands moved from Wellington to Colorado so that Carol could qualify for Colorado’s caregiver CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program through the state’s Medicaid system. The program pays her to train and become the full-time caretaker of their 20 month-old son, who was born with Nemaline Myopathy and needs help to swallow and breathe. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Lottery games remain big business in Florida

Lottery games remain big business in the Sunshine State where the Florida Lottery has smashed the U.S. record for single-week sales of instant games for the week ending March 4, 2018. More at this news release from the Florida Lottery.

See also:
» Florida Lottery celebrates latest milestone of $33 billion in contributions to education over 30 years

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› South Florida tech industry hiring highest in 16 years, survey says [PROTECH]
South Florida’s tech employers are hiring at the highest rate in 16 years, according to an annual report by Fort Lauderdale recruiting firm ProTech. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said they plan to increase tech staff in 2018, compared with 64 percent in 2017. Also read more at the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

› Lockheed lands $200 million contract for work that will be driven by Orlando ops [Lockheed Martin]
Under the deal, the defense giant will provide the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, which is based in Okaloosa County in northwest Florida, a module that provides aircrew instruction on fully networked trainers that simulate missions and logistics for the agency’s weapons systems. Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

› DOJ weighs in on Florida bar's battle with traffic ticket startup Tikd [Daily Business Review]
The U.S. Department of Justice is supporting a South Florida startup’s antitrust lawsuit against the state bar, adding its voice to a growing debate over how the bar views legal tech companies.

› Fort Lauderdale company inks $700M deal with Clorox [Press Release]
Fort Lauderdale private equity firm WM Partners LP has sold off a portfolio company to consumer household products giant Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) for $700 million.

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› St. Pete-Clearwater airport traffic rises sharply in February [Business Observer]
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport set a new record for passenger traffic in the month of February, with 172,790 travelers transiting the airport. That number represents a 14% increase over February 2017. Year-to-date, the airport’s passenger traffic is up 11%.

› In letter to JEA employees, Jacksonville mayor addresses ‘wild speculation’ on future of public utility [Florida Times-Union]
Amid months of talk about the potential sale of JEA, the public utility employees received a letter Thursday morning from Mayor Lenny Curry. Saying that there had been a lot of “wild speculation” regarding the assessing of the value of JEA, Curry said he wanted to communicate facts directly to JEA employees.

› Haitians in South Florida sue Trump for terminating TPS [Tampa Bay Times]
A group of South Florida Haitian immigrants are among the latest plaintiffs challenging President Donald Trump's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status, which — until recently — has shielded them from deportation.

› Sarasota Grand Prix announces changes for summer races [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Sarasota Grand Prix, celebrating 34 years, is making three changes for the 2018 festival this summer, scheduled for June 23 - July 4, including a new name, a national television carrier for the powerboat races on July 1, and a collaboration between Powerboat P1 and Race World Offshore.