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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Feds say Florida sports betting ruling should move forward
The Biden administration has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to allow an appeals-court ruling to move forward in a battle about whether the Seminole Tribe of Florida should be able to offer online sports betting throughout the state. U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar last week filed a 29-page response after Chief Justice John Roberts on Oct. 12 at least temporarily halted the appeals-court ruling, which could help lead to sports betting. More from the News Service of Florida and NBC Miami.
Voting rights group says Florida redistricting ruling should stand
Readying for arguments next week in the high-stakes case, voting-rights groups have asked an appeals court to uphold a ruling that a congressional redistricting plan backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the Florida Constitution. Attorneys for the groups and other plaintiffs filed an 86-page brief at the 1st District Court of Appeal in the case, which centers on an overhaul of a North Florida district that in the past elected Black Democrat Al Lawson. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida agriculture commissioner seeks $300M for protecting rural land from development
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking lawmakers for a slight increase next year in funding for the separate Florida Forever land conservation program. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida scientists are mapping red tide fish kills to help regulate fishing afterward
Florida researchers are working to map fish kills after red tide events to help regulators determine harvesting limitations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the five-year project with about $1.7 million. Toxic red tide algae blooms can result in large fish kills. David Chagaris, a research associate professor at the University of Florida's Nature Coast Biological Station, said the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council often doesn't have enough information about the events to create safe catch levels in the following years for species like grouper and snapper. [Source: WLRN]
Florida lawmakers to return to Capitol to impose new sanctions on Iran
Florida lawmakers will return for a special session to impose additional sanctions against Iran, express support for Israel and provide additional security to protect Jewish institutions in Florida, House and Senate leaders announced. The session will also take up issues like hurricane relief, property insurance and providing more money for special needs students. More from the AP and Jax Today.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Construction is booming in downtown St. Petersburg. Will it last?
Driving east on Central Avenue into downtown St. Petersburg, it’s hard to ignore the signs of growth. Cranes, scaffoldings and fenced off lots boasting “coming soon” signs seem to line every block. In just the past five years, the city of St. Petersburg has approved at least 32 major multi-family projects like this one, building permit records show. But as the economy slows, could this construction boom come to a screeching halt?
› Orlando leaders consider incentives to lure businesses downtown
City leaders are voting to approve a program aimed at luring restaurants and retailers into downtown Orlando. The financial incentive package calls for up to $475,000 for qualified high-quality dining restaurants to help with build-out costs and rental assistance. Qualified retail businesses are eligible for up to $200,000 in assistance.
› Dept. of Commerce names South Florida a national climate tech hub
South Florida was named a climate resilience technology hub by the federal government, a designation that could unlock millions of dollars of potential funding to the region. It was one of 31 locations to win the label from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
› Tampa door manufacturer buys company for nearly $300M
Masonite International of Tampa bought Fleetwood Aluminum Products for $285 million in cash, Masonite says in a news release. Publicly traded Masonite is a designer, manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of interior and exterior doors. It also provides door systems for the new construction and repair, renovation and remodeling sectors of the residential and non-residential building construction markets
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