Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/1/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays are buying the Tampa Bay Rowdies

The MLB Tampa Bay Rays are purchasing the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer club, as well as the team's control of Al Lang Stadium on the St. Petersburg waterfront. The news was confirmed to WTSP by officials at St. Petersburg city hall. Rays President Brian Auld is briefing St. Petersburg council members and the mayor today. Financial details are as yet undisclosed. More from WTSP.com

How Parkland shooting changed Florida politics

Parkland and the March For Our Lives movement started by a group of Broward County high school students have thrust gun politics into the top tier of issues ahead of the 2018 elections, where Democrats are hoping to keep Bill Nelson's U.S. Senate seat and flip up to a half dozen congressional seats that could determine which party wins the majority in the House of Representatives. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida's September gasoline prices reach highest level since 2014

September gasoline prices in Florida were the highest they’ve been since 2014, AAA reported Monday. And the cost of fuel could be heading considerably higher, experts warn, because of tensions over sanctions on Iran and growing demand for oil as the U.S. economy booms. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Disney, Seminole Tribe pour another $10 million into amendment aimed at limiting gambling

Walt Disney Co. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida keep pumping money into efforts to support Amendment 3, which would give voters the final say on whether to expand gambling in Florida. The latest campaign finance reports show that Disney and the tribe each recently contributed $5 million to Voters in Charge, a group registered to support the amendment. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Small Business Advice
Disaster planning for small businesses

While we are powerless to prevent some accidents and acts of God, a proactive disaster management plan can mitigate their effects on your business and help speed your return to normal operations. Read Gray Poehler's full column here.

Entertainment
Weeki Wachee mermaids splash into Orlando aquarium

Florida’s famous performing mermaids are swimming in new waters in the state’s theme park hub. The mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park now are performing three days a week through Oct. 21 at Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. It’s the first time in the troupe’s history that the mermaids have performed in Orlando.

» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Business Profile
Theme-park scents spark creation of Celebration-based candle company

Keith and Stephanie Mahne founded the Magic Candle Company in 2017, taking scents inspired by theme park attractions, resorts and food and crafting it into candles — there are also a few original creations, like “Walt’s Office.”