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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Major legal fights over longstanding commission practices may upend Florida's real estate business
The decades-long practice of property owners paying real estate commissions is being seriously challenged in courts nationwide and the legal fallout could dramatically change how much money buyers and sellers of homes pay real estate agents in the future. The repercussions will be especially pronounced in Florida, which has more real estate agents than any other state in the nation. More from WLRN.
Tampa Masonite’s $3B deal with Gulf Coast rival falls through
A Florida Gulf Coast deal worth $3 billion was on its way to not only combine two of the largest public companies in the region but also two of the nation’s largest door and window manufacturers. But the sale that would have been historic for Tampa-based Masonite International Corp. is no longer happening. Another major company in the door and window industry placed a higher offes for PGT Innovations. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Lakeland will pay $6.5 million to cap landfill storing coal waste
Lakeland will pay nearly $6.5 million to have Lakeland Electric's landfill capped, sealing away the final traces of the city's former coal plant. The commission approved a $10.75 million contract with Thalle Construction Company Inc. on Monday to construct the final cover of Lakeland Electric's Byproduct Storage Area for the decommissioned McIntosh Unit 3. Lakeland will be responsible for paying 60% of the cost, with Orlando Utilities Commission, paying for the remainder. More from the Laleland Ledger.
SeaWorld Orlando brings back free beer, but it won’t last
Free beer at SeaWorld Orlando dates back at least to the era when the attraction was owned by Busch Entertainment Co., a division of Anheuser-Busch, and that company’s products were frequently available for sampling. The brewer got out of the theme-park business in 2009, although it remains part of the name of Busch Gardens theme parks, including one in Tampa. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Miami motorists could collect a share of millions in parking refunds after ruling
Thousands of people who paid a 15% parking tax imposed by the city of Miami over the past five years could qualify for a share of what potentially could add up to millions of dollars in refunds. And that’s only one expensive blow facing the city after a judge ruled a long-controversial parking surcharge unconstitutional. Next up, the city faces an injunction seeking to block it from continuing to collect the fee at government-owned parking lots, garages and other facilities. More from the Miami Herald.
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'Let’s Get Trashy' group dives to clean up coral reefs across South Florida
Trashy Girls Collective is a group formed by three women scuba drivers. Once a month, they go diving across South Florida in an effort to clean up coral reefs. Sunday, Jan. 21, they will be diving in Boynton Beach. The founder and co-founder of the group stopped by WPBF studios to talk more about their initiative.
» More from WPBF.
Entertainment
Step right up! Creepy Paranormal Cirque returns for Central Florida tour stops
Step right up, if you dare. Paranormal Cirque is back and making stops in Central Florida this week, with a one-of-a-kind production featuring “death-defying stunts, creepy creatures and haunting performances.” The show promises to transport guests to “a dark world inhabited by creatures with incredible circus art abilities.”
» Read more from Click Orlando.
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