The battle to save Florida’s last thriving coral reef
In the turquoise waters just off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, a silent, ancient struggle is unfolding. While much of the Florida Barrier Reef has succumbed to a “death by a thousand cuts”—warming oceans, acidic waters, and lethal diseases—a remarkably resilient stretch of reef near Port Everglades has remained a stubborn stronghold of life. Now, that life faces a man-made existential threat. More from the South Florida Reporter and the Washington Post.
South Florida emerges as beauty industry hub
South Florida is emerging as a strategic hub for cosmetics and dermatology brands, with global and emerging skin care companies expanding their headquarters, manufacturing and distribution across the region. Beauty industry executives cite international connectivity, access to Latin America, a dense medical spa network and expanding production capacity, which are transforming the area from just a consumer market into a hub for corporate leadership and logistics. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Florida bill would force some on Medicaid to work but at what cost?
Only the lowest paid Floridians qualify for Medicaid in the Sunshine State, the result of eligibility rules that are among the strictest in the nation. The result is that the vast majority of the almost four million Floridians enrolled in the federal health benefit program are children, disabled individuals and adults who stay home to care for young children or the elderly. Despite that, Florida may be about to adopt a work requirement program that critics say could violate federal law. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida universities face H-1B hiring freeze
The panel that oversees public universities in Florida is set to meet Monday to approve a one-year ban on hiring new foreign faculty through the H-1B visa system – a move critics said could harm research and education in the state. The popular visa program, established in 1990, allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals with highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. More than 500 foreign nationals were employed at Florida public and private universities under the program as of last year. [Source: Florida Politics]
Spring training's economic impact extends beyond ticket sales and hotels in Grapefruit League cities
For decades, Florida’s Grapefruit League has been easy to summarize: six weeks of baseball, a surge of visitors, full hotels and busy restaurants. The pattern is familiar, and the season can feel like a recurring footnote in the regional economy. But talk to the business owners, tourism executives and local officials who live with spring training year after year, and a more complex picture emerges. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
5 steps to avoid litigation before a contract’s signed
Corporate litigators are known for skillfully and persuasively advocating on behalf of their clients. Yet their greatest achievement is often preventing disputes from ever reaching a courtroom or mediation table. Well-drafted and reviewed documents, saying little in digital correspondence that could later be construed as terms of an agreement, and keeping the legal team advised of potential issues can help avoid situations that could spark litigation. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Will Florida gas prices rise in Mideast conflict?
Gas prices rose slightly on Monday in South Florida as drivers get back to their commute. But the big question is: Will prices increase with conflict in the Middle East? “Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekend’s U.S.–Iran attacks,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. For now, Miami-area prices are 2 cents a gallon lower than a month ago and 12 cents lower than a year ago.
› Central Florida food banks try to keep up with demand as prices rise
The demand for help with buying food continues to rise in Central Florida, with more people showing up at food pantries amid rising grocery prices. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida said its school-based pantries have handed out 30% more meals in the last six months than they did a year earlier. A food pantry in Lake County recently put out a “critical shortage” notice, urging residents to donate canned goods and other items because so many more people were showing up needing food.
› Family-owned businesses endure across Southwest Florida
In Southwest Florida, family-owned businesses tend to come and go. As trends and tastes change, and as private equity increasingly buys out the founders of successful entities, watching family-owned businesses continue operations from one generation to the next has become the exception, not the rule. But Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties have such exceptions.
› Nearly 4,000 Miami-Dade businesses sent compliance notices over Cuba-related activity
Close to 4,000 Miami-Dade County businesses have been issued compliance notices as part of a county review of commercial activity involving Cuba. According to the Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office, 3,909 notices were sent to businesses that may be engaged in transactions, services or other commercial operations connected to Cuba. The notices require companies to confirm whether they conduct such activity and, if so, identify the federal legal authority that permits it.
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› The Wolf of Winter Park: Florida crypto CEO's $328M house of cards collapses
A 34-year-old Florida CEO who alleges he traded a trailer park upbringing for a life of Lamborghinis is now facing his third act: federal prison. Federal agents say the man who marketed himself as a blockchain baron was actually orchestrating a massive $328 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme between January 2023 and January 2026 that defrauded investors from Winter Park to Dubai.
› L3Harris lays off 63 workers as it sells Orlando laser facility
Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies will lay off all 63 employees at its Orlando Advanced Laser Systems Technology (ALST) facility following the unit’s sale to Perimeter Solutions Group, according to a Feb. 27 WARN notice filing. The Melbourne-based company stated in the filing the layoffs are due to the sale of ALST to Perimeter Solutions Group, a Tampa-based commercial fence installation and gate automation platform company.
› JTA approves new fares for Connexion Plus
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority board has approved a revised fare structure for Connexion Plus, as well as adjustments to other expenses to stabilize the budget. The Connexion Plus rate adjustment comes after the community protested earlier plans to reduce the private-ride service, followed JTA’s commitment to continue the service.
› Maritime innovation ‘Hub’ plans $34M expansion to fuel growth
The Maritime and Defense Technology Hub – “The Hub” – in St. Pete’s Innovation District is inching closer to a massive overhaul in design (Hub 2.0) and an expanded footprint to accommodate the growing demand for space in marine tech, coastal resilience and ocean economy industries flocking to the area. The estimated $34 million redevelopment represents a significant economic investment in positioning St. Petersburg as a leader in Florida’s rapidly expanding blue economy as well as facilitating new research and technology start-ups.