Florida personal income grows, but national gap widens

The wallets of most area Floridians continue to grow. Just not as fast as they might like Based on all U.S. counties, metropolitan and rural alike, the nation’s average personal income rose 1.6 percent to $49,246. Statewide, Florida’s average personal income rose 1.1 percent in 2016 to $45,953. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Ronald 'Winky' Wright

The former professional boxer and two-time light middleweight world champion shares stories from his life inside and outside the ring. "Being a businessman, hands down, is harder than being a boxer," Wright said. Full story here.

Is Rick Scott distancing himself from Trump?

It would be hard finding a more enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump among top state Republicans than Florida Gov. Rick Scott. But during this week's Republican Governors Association meeting in Austin, Scott dodged questions about what Trump could mean for his political fortunes. When asked if he would want Trump to campaign with him during an expected run against U.S. Senator Bill Nelson next year, Scott replied "I don't know if I'm going to be a candidate. We'll worry about that next year." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida agriculture still reeling from Irma damage, relief sought

Irma wreaked damage on every segment of Florida agriculture, from sugar cane fields to cattle ranches, nurseries and more. The state’s beleaguered citrus industry, already battered by greening disease, was hardest hit with more than $760 million in losses. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

More secure state driver’s licenses raise eyebrows in Florida

Banks, businesses and agencies that require people to present picture identification should be aware that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has changed the look of its state-issued licenses and ID cards. [Source: Government Technology]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Nearly 2.6 million Floridians expected to travel for Thanksgiving [News release]
According to AAA, The Auto Club Group, 50.9 million Americans — 3.3 percent more than 2016 — are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday, including 2.6 million Floridians, up 3.2 percent from last year.

› Fast-growing Orangetheory Fitness says lack of space a challenge [Palm Beach Post]
Boca Raton-based Orangetheory Fitness, the fast-growing chain of gyms, is scouting for 500 locations nationwide. It’s no easy task: Despite the well-documented demise of retailers from Sports Authority to RadioShack, retail vacancy rates are at rock-bottom levels.

› H. Wayne Huizenga Jr. sells Delray Beach mansion to Office Depot CEO for $6.7M [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
H. Wayne Huizenga Jr. has found a buyer for his Delray Beach mansion — Office Depot’s CEO Gerry P. Smith. The seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom estate fetched just over $6.7 million, according to a deed made public Thursday.

› Sarasota's XG has record revenue but loss grows [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
XG Technology Inc., the Sarasota-based provider of wireless video and voice solutions, said Wednesday that it had a record $10.2 million revenue for the third quarter but suffered a net loss of $5.5 million, or 43 cents per share.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Action in Orlando prompts IAAPA to put down roots [Orlando Sentinel]
The trade association, more formally known as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, has long been an annual visitor to Orlando, throwing a massive expo at Orange County Convention Center. But as of this summer, IAAPA is a permanent, year-round resident.

› Film about golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez to shoot in Sarasota [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A film about eight-time PGA Tour-winning golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez, which will feature him as well as “Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz, will use Sarasota County as a backdrop.

› Zero Florida cities on Top 100 places to raise kids in the U.S. list [Local 10]
In the new "Best Cities to Raise Kids in the U.S." list, not a single Florida city made the Top 100. In the new "Best Cities to Raise Kids in the U.S." list, not a single Florida city made the Top 100. Not even Christmas, Florida, which sounds like a truly magical place to live.

› Everest University parent to close Tampa office, lay off more than 200 [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Zenith Education Group will permanently close the office and notified employees last week, according to a worker adjustment and retraining notification (WARN) the group filed with the state.