Polls show inflation, economy driving factors in midterm elections

With the election less than a week away, the big question is: can the candidates change voters' minds with the economy at the forefront? Some recent polls have shown inflation and the economy as the driving factor in midterms. A new POLITICO-Morning Consult poll shows voters' views on the economy could be set in stone. More than 60% of voters said they believe the U.S. is in a recession. More from  WPTV, WFLA, and Axios.

Hurricane Ian’s deadly toll on Florida seniors exposes need for new strategies

All kinds of natural disasters — hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, dangerous heat waves — pose substantial risks to older adults. Yet, not enough seniors prepare for these events in advance, and efforts to encourage them to do so have been largely unsuccessful. The most recent horrific example was Hurricane Ian, the massive storm that in September smashed into Florida’s southwestern coast — a haven for retirees — with winds up to 150 mph and storm surges exceeding 12 feet in some areas. At least 120 people died, most of them in Florida. Of those who perished, two-thirds were 60 or older. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Non-farmers bumped from Florida's soil and water conservation district boards

Soil and water are the origin of what we eat and drink — linchpins of Florida's future growth. How we manage them winds up in front of the state's 55 unsung soil and water conservation districts. Few know of them or go to their meetings. They don't have much of a budget. Their decisions indirectly affect us all. Under a change in state law this year, however, only those with current or at least a decade of past farming-related experience are allowed a seat on local soil and water conservation districts. [Source: Florida Today]

Florida researchers get funding to help tomato growers and breeders fight bacterial spot

Florida scientists received a grant to investigate strategies to control bacterial spot in tomatoes. The disease creates major challenges for commercial production throughout Florida and across the United States. Tomatoes represent a $1.9 billion-a-year crop planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. [Source: WUSF]

Florida loses satellite factory project with thousands of jobs to California

Terran Orbital Corp. has scrapped plans for the $300 million satellite production facility it planned to build on Florida's Space Coast, which the Boca Raton-based company instead will build in California. Terran Orbital's expansion to Central Florida would have brought 2,100 high-wage jobs and millions of dollars in construction and development to the region. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Publix sees higher sales but lower net earningss [Supermarket News]
Publix Super Markets kept up its strong sales growth pace in the fiscal 2022 third quarter but again saw instability in the stock market impact its bottom line. For the quarter ended Sept. 24, net sales surged 9.2% to $13 billion from $11.9 billion in the 2021 third quarter, when sales climbed 7.8%, Publix reported Tuesday. The Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain also saw sequential growth in Q3, as net sales edged up 0.8% from $12.9 billion in the 2022 second quarter.

› IAAPA promotes attractions veteran to president and CEO [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has appointed Jakob Wahl, a current association executive and veteran of the amusement industry, as its new president and CEO. Wahl currently serves as IAAPA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was appointed to the job in November 2021 but his career with IAAPA spans a decade, according to the association. His promotion, announced Wednesday, will take effect Jan. 1 as the association’s current chief executive Hal McEvoy steps down.

› Miami Art Week return spurs Wynwood arts district [Miami Today]
Wynwood’s art scene is making a comeback with the return of Miami Art Week. Starting Nov. 29, Miami Art Week is one of the key catalysts that created Wynwood’s immense influence and earned its global recognition as a premier destination for art, fashion, innovation and creativity, said Manny Gonzalez, Wynwood BID’s executive director.

› Federal judge slaps down Jacksonville's request to halt order to redraw City Council map [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville remains under a fast-track timeline to draw a new map for the spring 2023 City Council elections after federal Judge Marcia Morales Howard denied the city's request to put a hold on her order that tossed a redistricting map the city approved earlier this year. Howard's order found the city used unconstitutional racial gerrymandering in how it drew the boundaries of seven City Council districts located north and west of the St. Johns River.

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› Higher levels of red tide found at Sarasota-area beaches; visitors cautioned [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County issued a public notice to caution visitors about the presence of red tide at a handful of area beaches. The department cited samples processed on Monday that show "elevated" levels of red tide present at beaches including Venice Beach, Service Club Park, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Caspersen Beach, Manasota Key, and Blind Pass.

› Snowcat Ridge snow park in Dade City will return for third year [Tampa Bay Times]
Dade City’s Snowcat Ridge, which markets itself as Florida’s first and only alpine snow park, will return for a third year starting Nov. 11. The snow park has huge machines that produce thousands of pounds of “real snow” every day. It features sliding on Snowy Slopes, an indoor play area, ice skating and snowball play. It will remain open on select days through Feb. 26. The park also offers private igloos for rent and multiple food options.

› PorchFest concerts, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair kick off busy weekend [Florida Times-Union]
Looking to stroll through an historic neighborhood and watch live music? Or maybe flip and fly and eat food on a stick? Either way, Jacksonville has you covered this weekend with PorchFest and the opening of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair. Twenty or so live musical acts, a drag show and the Jaguars drumline are on the bill for Saturday's PorchFest, which sees the streets of Springfield turned into an open-air concert venue, front porches converted into stages and fans sitting on the lawn to watch their favorites.

› Manatee County to temporarily halt collection of bus fares [Business Observer]
Manatee County bus riders will get a glimpse of what it’s like to not pay for transportation soon. The 18-month pilot program for fare-free transportation began Tuesday, Nov. 1, for Manatee County Area Transit, according to a statement. The MCAT buses in Manatee County will be free to passengers until they reach the Sarasota County portion of the Route 99 service, which will still collect a fare. That route links downtown Bradenton to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and downtown Sarasota.