Hurricane center tracking system likely to develop in the Caribbean
Quiet time is over in the tropics. The National Hurricane Center is now tracking a broad area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea that could become a tropical system late this week or over the weekend. There's also another area with potential for development over the weekend or early next week. This one is located east-southeast of Florida. More from the Naples Daily News and the Orlando Sentinel.
Holiday poinsettias could be harder to find, cost more thanks to Hurricane Milton
Greenhouse and nursery-grown plants, particularly holiday poinsettias, might be in short supply and cost more because of damage in Hurricane Milton. Florida’s nursery industry hopes to be included in potential federal disaster aid that is expected to address damage to ranches, citrus groves and row crops in a series of recent disasters. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Election will go on, even in face of hurricane or other natural disaster hitting.
Back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused havoc with election operations in hard-hit counties within Florida, where some polling sites are out of commission. But what if a hurricane hit Florida on or just before Election Day on Nov. 5? Each of Florida's 67 county supervisors of elections has contingencies for dealing with issues caused by natural disasters as part of a "continuity of operations plan." But those generally entail things such as moving polling places to neighboring precincts. [Source: Florida Today]
State insurance regulators add a silver lining to Helene, Milton's clouds
State law allows insurance companies to unilaterally cancel policies, as many Floridians have learned the hard way in recent years. People who have paid up in full, and have never filed a claim, have found themselves scrambling to find coverage after their insurers dropped their coverage. But the law is different, and more favorable to consumers when it comes to canceling policies as a hurricane is threatening, and after it has passed. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Florida is using opioid settlement money on an anti-marijuana ad campaign
Florida is using millions of dollars in settlement money from opioid manufacturers and distributors on an ad campaign against marijuana, according to state records. The state Department of Children and Families last month spent $4 million to pay a marketing agency for an “advertising campaign aimed at educating Floridian families and youth about the dangers of marijuana, opioid, and drug use.” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Employee value proposition: A key ingredient to gaining and retaining top talent
Do you aspire to position your organization as an employer of choice? While there are many steps to building that reputation over time, one accessible strategy that you can implement almost immediately is to establish an employee value proposition (EVP). [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Amazon shuts down 400 seller accounts, offers little recourse, says lawsuit by Miami e-commerce company
A Miami e-commerce company that creates and operates Amazon stores for clients claims in a newly filed federal lawsuit that the online retailer this summer shut down 400 of its user accounts — about half of the company’s business — with little explanation and no real way to appeal. The account deactivations are an outsize example of an issue that, according to news reports, has plagued scores of Amazon sellers in recent years.
› Decision on Rays’ interim home is pending assessment of Trop damage
A decision on an interim stadium for the Rays is awaiting a full assessment of the damage from Hurricane Milton, as well as the potential cost and timeline for repairs, to their previous home at Tropicana Field. A key factor is whether it is worthwhile to repair the Trop, which is scheduled to be demolished after the 2027 season as the Rays move into a new stadium to be built on an adjacent site.
› Sarasota's oldest restaurant sets reopening date after month-long hurricane damage closure
Columbia, which opened in 1959 on St. Armands Circle and is Sarasota's oldest full-service restaurant, has announced a reopening date following nearly a month-long closure for repairs due to damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Fourth-generation owner Richard Gonzmart, who describes himself as the restaurant group's "caretaker," said the restaurant teams and contractors worked relentlessly to bring Columbia and Cha Cha Coconuts back into service for guests.
› With millions at stake, Orlando cultural groups have their eye on Tuesday
Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners will vote Tuesday on millions in cultural spending that will help transform multiple communities, from new event space in ballfields in Apopka to new museums in Winter Park and Winter Garden. The money comes from the Tourist Development Tax, a 6% levy collected on certain overnight stays in Orange County. At stake is a lot of money: $75 million over five years.
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› Deputies arrest dozens in looting, unlicensed contracting operations on Pinellas barrier islands
Pinellas deputies have arrested scores of suspects this month in a crackdown on looting and unlicensed contracting in Pinellas beach towns after hurricanes Helene and Milton displaced many residents. In a news conference in Madeira Beach Thursday afternoon, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the severe damage wrought by the hurricanes has drawn an unprecedented amount of bad actors to the beaches.
› Why Casa de Campo is a favorite escape for Miami celebrities and other VIPs
An oasis in the Caribbean that has drawn Miami A-listers for years is celebrating half a century. Casa de Campo’s rise also marks stronger ties between South Florida and the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean nation is seeing record tourism this year, and that’s even before a new daily flight from Miami International Airport starts.
› Spirit Airlines plans to cut jobs and sell some planes amid looming financial struggles
Spirit Airlines is cutting jobs and selling off some jets worth millions of dollars as the budget carrier aims to cut costs amid looming financial struggles and an uncertain future. In a Thursday regulatory filing, Spirit said it has identified about $80 million of cost-cutting measures set to begin early next year. Those cuts will be driven primarily by a “reduction in workforce,” the airline noted. South Florida-based Spirit is the second-busiest carrier at Orlando International Airport.
› JEA sets Oct. 29 workshop to discuss rate increases
Many Jacksonville businesses would pay higher JEA bills for electric, water and sewer service under newly proposed recommendations on rates and monthly charges. JEA, which has scheduled a board workshop for 9 a.m. Oct. 29 to discuss the possible changes, said the recommendations are designed to cover the nonprofit utility’s rising costs of providing service.