Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/14/2017

Gov. Scott wins fight over filling Florida Supreme Court vacancies

The Florida Supreme Court is tossing out a petition aiming to stop Republican Gov. Rick Scott from appointing three state Supreme Court justices on the day he leaves office. The court announced its decision Thursday, saying that it can't rule on something that hasn't happened. From the decision:

"Although Governor Scott announced his intent to appoint the replacements for three justices of this Court, clearly no appointments have been made. To use quo warranto to review an action which is merely contemplated but not consummated, as in the present case, would require this Court to depart from the historical application of the writ. This we decline to do. Until some action is taken by the Governor, the matter the League seeks to have resolved is not ripe, and this Court lacks jurisdiction to determine whether quo warranto relief is warranted. Based upon the foregoing, the petition is hereby dismissed."

See the decision from the Florida Supreme Court, here. Also read more at the AP.

Florida facing looming doctor shortage

Florida hospitals have seen a 29 percent increase in the number of residency slots since 2013, but the state still faces physician workforce challenges, a report on graduate medical education released this week shows. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Jacksonville Business Journal., and NBC2.

» Read the full report: Training Tomorrow's Doctors

MTV Networks Latin America series first in line for Miami-Dade incentives

A 20-episode MTV Networks Latin America television series continuation heads the line to become the first recipient in Miami-Dade County’s new film incentive program, approved in July. “I Am Frankie Season 2” is to come before the county commission’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee to seek the maximum incentive, $100,000. More from Miami Today.

FPL opens $6 million Cat 5 storm center in Jupiter

The Juno Beach-based electric utility opened its $6 million, Category 5-rated storm center in Jupiter on Wednesday, one of 12 throughout the state geared toward housing employees, and even some out-of-state crews, during and after a storm. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida small businesses eligible for federal disaster loans up to $2 million

The U.S. Small Business Administration will continue to offer Florida small businesses and nonprofit organizations federal economic injury disaster loans because of the drought that began in May. More from WKMG.

Sports Business
Shake-up in Miami soccer stadium bid

The investors behind David Beckham’s bid for a Miami soccer stadium have undergone a significant shake-up, with majority partner Todd Boehly out and Miami moguls Jorge and Jose Mas joining the venture.

» More from the Miami Herald.

Business Profile
Rick’s Trading Post

There’s nothing like a stockpile of 150-year-old glass eyeballs to help see a future in buying and selling vintage things. Today, those artificial eyeballs from the Civil War are among the first things a would-be customer spots when he or she enters Rick’s Trading Post in Fort Myers.