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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Is sports betting resuming in Florida? Seminole Tribe faces decision amid challenges
Sports betting in Florida could be a reality again, if the Seminole Tribe decides to relaunch the Hard Rock sportsbook. If that were to happen, it would be just in time for the lucrative NFL season which could produce upwards of a billion dollars, according to some experts. Last week, a D.C. Circuit Court denied the owners of Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room a rehearing in front of a full circuit court. South Florida sports gaming attorney Daniel Wallach says this means online sports betting could relaunch as soon as Monday. More from NBC Miami.
National Hurricane Center tracking 3 systems, including one off Florida, Hurricane Nigel
Nigel strengthened into a hurricane overnight and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Closer to the U.S., a new system has popped up immediately east of Florida. Forecasters said the system "could acquire some subtropical characteristics this weekend." As of now, it's expected to remain offshore as it moves slowly north or northwest. More from the Gainesville Sun and the Orlando Sentinel.
Lee Health moves forward with plans for new medical destination in Fort Myers
The Lee Health board of directors approved updated plans to build a new medical campus and health care destination in the city of Fort Myers on Challenger Boulevard. Tentatively known as Lee Health Fort Myers, the property will be on 52 acres between Colonial Boulevard and Winkler Avenue. The new campus will be built in phases over several years. More from Gulfshore Business.
Office Depot parent company appoints temporary CEO
ODP Corporation, the parent company of Office Depot, named a new CEO to take over for Gerry P. Smith as he begins a medical leave of absence. The Board of Directors appointed Joseph S. Vassalluzzo to the leadership position until Smith recovers from a medical procedure "that requires several weeks of recovery," according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Vassalluzzo has been the company's non-executive chair of the board since 2017. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
SpaceX expansion will claim more wetlands and scrub habitat at Kennedy Space Center
Some wetlands and scrub habitat at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are slated to make way for continued SpaceX expansion. SpaceX proposes to expand its Roberts Road Operations Area within Kennedy Space Center, upgrade the utilities, and widen Saturn Causeway to support vehicle transport to and from launch facilities. NASA's environmental impact study of the proposed expansion said it will have long-term "moderate" environmental impacts. NASA has spelled those out in a 231-page report, required under federal law. More from Florida Today.
Sports Business
Rays set to announce deal for new downtown St. Petersburg stadium
The Rays are expected to make a major announcement Tuesday regarding completion of a deal to build a new stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. The stadium would be built near the current Tropicana Field site as part of the redevelopment of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District and open for the 2028 season.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Center Square.
Out of the Box
Contain yourself! Creative and versatile, container parks prove popular around Florida
When Greg Walker and the team at Tavistock Restaurant Collection began formulating the idea of an outdoor food and entertainment hub, they visited shipping container parks from Las Vegas to London to see the many ways in which these event venues were set up — and how they could create their own special space in Orlando’s growing community of Lake Nona. Across the state, shipping containers are enjoying new life as leisure venues and folks are loving the versatility.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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