Florida's government pension plan falls 6.7% as market falters

Government pension plans in Florida and other states took a hit in 2022, as a downturn in financial markets caused investment losses, new reports show. The reports, released by the Florida Department of Management Services and the non-profit Equable Institute, show that the Florida pension system had investment losses of about 6.2 percent during the fiscal year that ended June 30 — similar to pension-system losses across the country. [Source: News Service of Florida]

New COVID variant XBB.1.5 is fueling cases in Florida

A new COVID variant has made its way to Florida, pushing case numbers higher and leading health experts to say the most transmissible version yet is certain to infect even those who have had the virus. Since Thanksgiving, the confirmed COVID case numbers in the state and positivity rate have more than doubled, and many counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward, are once again considered to be at high risk for the disease. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida prepares to care for manatees during cold snap

Florida wildlife officials say manatees are showing good signs at the temporary feeding station in Brevard County, but with another cold front on the way causing temperatures to plunge this weekend, crews are keeping a watchful eye. Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday that the team reopened the manatee feeding station at the FPL power plant in Brevard County on Dec. 16 and began supplemental feeding. [Source: Click Orlando]

Court asks, how should 'riot' be defined in Florida state law?

A federal appeals court Tuesday turned to the Florida Supreme Court for help as it considers the constitutionality of a 2021 state law that enhanced penalties and created new crimes in protests that turn violent. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case to the Florida court because of what it called a “novel” issue — how to determine the meaning of the word “riot” in the law. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida leading the way in RV resort new builds, expansions

New RV resorts are popping up across Florida from the Florida Panhandle to the greater Tampa Bay Area to the Florida Keys, according to a release. At least eight new RV resorts are coming online between 2022 and 2024 while many existing resorts are adding more RV sites, boosting Florida’s inventory by at least 3,596 sites. [Source: RV Business]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville City Council signs off on new $129.75 million deal for Khan’s Four Seasons project [Florida Times-Union]
City Council approved Jan. 10 a redrafted $129.75 million incentives deal with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s development company for its plans to build a Four Seasons hotel and office building on the Downtown Northbank riverfront. Iguana Investments Florida LLC asked the city to amend the redevelopment agreement first approved in October 2021 to increase the cap on the deal’s property tax refunds as the project’s cost has risen about 20.75%

› Bradenton-Sarasota is one of the most competitive rental markets in US, new report says [Miami Herald]
Competition for apartments in the Bradenton-Sarasota area ranks among the fiercest in the United States, according to a study by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website. Among Florida cities, only Miami-Dade — the most competitive rental market in the United States — and Orlando, third-ranked on the list, were more competitive than Southwest Florida, which ranks 11th.

› Miami-based augmented reality company creating immersive way to enrich memories [Local 10]
There’s something nostalgic and heartwarming about opening up those old photo albums, or now, your camera roll, and reliving major milestones, especially those trips cross country, overseas, or even across town. Now, with a new creation based here in South Florida, your relationship to certain destinations, and some of life’s biggest moments, could change forever.

› Minority and small business boot camp coming to Tallahassee to help grow the local economy [WTXL]
In Florida, 99.8% of all businesses are considered small businesses. Small businesses also employ 41.1% of Florida workers. That's why several Big Bend organizations are teaming up to make sure those local businesses in our community can grow in a changing labor market. Because of this, local businesses will now be able to connect with larger government agencies and private vendors to help grow the local economy for years to come.

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› In-N-Out lands in Tennessee. Could Florida restaurants follow? [Orlando Sentinel]
In-N-Out’s decision to open a regional office in Tennessee could mean the popular western U.S. burger chain will end up in Florida, but not for quite some time, one restaurant industry expert says. California-based In-N-Out revealed Tuesday its first Tennessee restaurants are slated to open by 2026, and what it called an “Eastern territory office” will be built in Franklin, Tenn., south of Nashville.

› Bradenton Area EDC’s robust network helps Manatee County businesses grow [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Anyone operating a business knows there can be obstacles to growth. A few examples include finding the right talent for your workforce, managing permitting challenges during a facility expansion, and finding a new location to meet client demand for a new product or service.

› Recently sworn-in Gainesville official faces complaint over dual office holding [Gainesville Sun]
A complaint has been filed with the state's Attorney General's Office against a recently sworn-in Gainesville commissioner that could result in his removal from office or risk losing his full-time job and benefits. The complaint raises questions about whether the elected official is allowed to hold two public office positions simultaneously. It also has been forwarded to the Florida Secretary of State and Alachua County Supervisor of Elections offices for review.

› Apartments with workforce housing planned for Raytheon site in St. Petersburg [Tampa Bay Times]
A Clearwater-based developer wants to build a 1,058-unit apartment complex on the former site of the Raytheon defense firm in St. Petersburg. The project would be built in three phases and will include 300 units of income-restricted workforce housing. Half of the workforce units would be for renters making less than 80% of the area median income and the other half would be for those making less than 120% of the AMI.