Florida lawmakers seek exemption to minimum wage mandate
A proposal to carve an exemption in the state’s voter-approved minimum wage has resurfaced for the 2026 legislative session that begins in January. Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, on Friday filed a measure seeking to allow people to voluntarily accept pay below the minimum wage when employed in positions deemed a “work-study, internship, preapprenticeship, or other similar work-based learning opportunity.” Proponents argued the proposal would help people gain skills through entry-level work experience that isn’t available at the state’s minimum wage. Opponents countered that employers would simply redefine entry-level jobs as “internships.” More from the News Service of Florida, Central Florida Public Media, and Orlando Weekly.
Florida offers test site for flying cabs
Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue hope to land the next generation of air transport companies at a testing facility in Central Florida. Perdue for years has championed advanced air mobility, which would involve establishing “vertiports” in urban areas that could serve as hubs for short aerial commutes by battery-powered aircraft that have characteristics of airplanes and helicopters. [Source: News Service of Florida]
NFIB survey: Small-business owners growing anxious about economic outlook
Small businesses are growing more pessimistic about the economy, according to a new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The Small Business Optimism Index tracked by the NFIB dropped by 2 points last month to 98.8. The September figure is the first drop in optimism in the last three months. NFIB officials note that the optimism index is still above the average of 98, a level that has held for about 52 years across the nation. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida legal pot campaign sues state for trying to remove 200k petitions
The Florida group pushing to legalize recreational marijuana is accusing the state of meddling with its ability to get the issue in front of voters. Smart & Safe Florida, a political committee trying to again put a recreational marijuana constitutional amendment on the ballot, filed a lawsuit against state Secretary of State Cord Byrd last week, accusing him of trying to invalidate about 200,000 petitions without any basis in law. Those petitions make up about one-third of the verified signatures the campaign has collected so far. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Who are Florida’s largest landowners? The top private landowner owns up to 679,000 acres
It's easy to think of Florida as a string of little beachside towns and white-sand beaches with a few big cities, the occasional speedway or theme park here and there. But there are hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland and timber across the state and someone's holding the deed. Who is the biggest private landowner in the Sunshine State? [Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› The 'calm before the storm:' How consumer expectations are trending in Jacksonville
Consumer sentiments continued declining on the First Coast in the third quarter, but bigger shifts could be on the horizon as 2026 approaches. That's according to the Metropolitan Consumer Sentiment Index, a quarterly index published as part of a partnership between Jacksonville Business Journal parent company American City Business Journals and global decision-intelligence company Morning Consult. The index tracks consumer and business sentiments in more than 40 major metro areas, based on more than 5,000 daily interviews.
› Orlando’s expanded Camping World Stadium will light up the night
Orlando’s redesigned Camping World Stadium makes a statement with its ribbons of aluminum encircling the structure. And the new lighting package is the exclamation point. DLR Group lead architect Ryan Freeland unveiled a new look at the $400 million project featuring color-changing LED lights during Thursday’s meeting at the city’s Appearance Review Board. The board unanimously approved the stadium expansion, which is slated to begin in early 2026.
› Applications now open for ‘People First’ hurricane recovery program in Pinellas
Applications are now open for Pinellas County’s People First Hurricane Recovery Programs, established to provide aid to those impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton. The programs provide funding to repair damage, prevent long-term displacement and to make housing safer and more affordable. The programs are open to all Pinellas County residents, except those who live within the city of St. Petersburg, which has its own recovery program called Sunrise St. Pete.
› How a developer's shock offer could solve PortMiami's billion-dollar crisis
PortMiami is the formidable engine of Miami-Dade’s economy. Far more than a scenic backdrop, the 520-acre island powerhouse supports over 341,000 jobs statewide and contributes over $61 billion to the regional economy. But this vital economic driver is facing a critical threat. The port’s sole fuel supply facility, a decades-old terminal on adjacent Fisher Island, has been sold to a private developer, creating a potential "fuel crisis" that could stall the entire operation.
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› Longtime Orlando attraction to close in 2 weeks, while another reopens
After a 35-year run of dishing out murder along with dinner, Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows announced this weekend it will close its International Drive theater for good on Nov. 4 “We loved providing Orlando with laughs for over three decades and are grateful for all of our guests who came to play with us to help solve tens of thousands of murder mysteries,” the company posted on its social-media sites. Manager Donna Ernbro said every effort had been made to keep the business — thought to be the longest-running mystery dinner theater in the country — going, and the decision to close was “heart-wrenching.”
› These volunteers make Hillsborough’s water quality the most monitored in the state
Lake Carroll is one of Hillsborough County’s largest lakes. It’s also one of the most sampled water bodies in the state, thanks to Lakewatch volunteers. The lake-monitoring program has helped manage Florida lakes, estuaries, rivers and springs for 40 years. Program data shows about 80 water bodies in Hillsborough were sampled in 2024, the most of any Florida county. Lakewatch conducts its testing through the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the school’s Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program.
› PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announces staff additions, promotions, retirements
The PGA Tour announced changes to its senior management team under Chief Executive Officer Brian Rolapp on Oct. 17, with two key additions: Dhruv Prasad as Chief Commercial Officer and Paul Hicks as Executive Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Policy. Andy Weitz will expand his role to become Chief Marketing Officer and Neera Shetty, Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Social Responsibility, will take on interim oversight of additional administrative functions.
› Want a job starting at $70,000 a year? A Miami college trade program can help
Finding a job can be difficult, but gaining an apprenticeship at Miami Dade College can make the process easier. Apprenticeships are learning programs that allow students to learn new trade or job skills while getting paid for their work. After completing a one-year or two-year program, apprentices can earn as much as $70,000 when they start in their career fields. “Continuing technical education programs like apprenticeships are very much in high demand,” said Alexia Rolle, Miami-Dade College dean of career and technical education.