Florida legislators say no deal on special session

Florida legislators are going to leave the question of whether to expand gambling up to voters in November. After weeks of backroom diplomacy, legislative leaders announced Wednesday they couldn't agree on how to update gambling laws and therefore won't hold a special session in the next month. More from the Times/Herald and the AP.

Duke Energy announces new Florida leadership

Harry Sideris, currently president of Duke Energy Florida, is leaving the post to take a new role with the parent company of the electric utility. Catherine Stempien, currently senior vice president of corporate development, will take over as the company’s Florida president. Full announcment from Duke Energy, here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

Federal court sides with Florida in voting rights battle

The decision by the court came less than two hours before Scott and GOP officials were scheduled to hold an extraordinary late-night meeting of the state's clemency board where they were poised to adopt new rules. The meeting was scrapped after the appeals court sided with Florida in a split decision. [Source: AP]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Sports business in Florida: Soccer goals

The ‘beautiful game' is making inroads throughout Florida, but its professional business affairs are — complicated. This article has updates on soccer in Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville and more. Full story here. Photo is of Orlando City's Scott Sutter.
» Read earlier installments in our series on sports business

Your turn:
» Do you think professional soccer will catch on, and grow in Florida? (quick poll)

EarthNow satellite plan will boost Central Florida space manufacturing cluster

An emerging manufacturing hub for satellites and rockets near Kennedy Space Center is already getting a boost from a new player called EarthNow that’s planning to build many more satellites there. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Bealls is launching a new chain of home decor stores [Press Release]
Bradenton-based Bealls Inc. announced Wednesday that it is launching Home Centric, a new chain of stores featuring a continually changing assortment of home products at a great value. Also read more at the Bradenton Herald.

› The theme park industry is booming [Bloomberg]
More people are streaming into theme parks during what was long considered the off-season. Amusements parks also are turning to food festivals and updated loyalty programs to drive attendance -- and spending.

› Former Electronic Arts Orlando-based exec's sports platform to pitch 'Shark Tank'-style event in New York [Orlando Sentinel]
A small Orlando tech company run by a former Electronic Arts executive has been chosen to present at a “Shark Tank”-like competition in New York that focuses on sports- and entertainment-based startups.

› Miami seeks to retain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Miami Today]
Miami city commissioners are urging the federal government to retain the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Headquarters at its current location on Virginia Key. NOAA is reportedly considering relocating its Southeast Fisheries Science Center to St. Petersburg.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› After Zika and Hurricane Irma, Miami Beach looks to insure tourism tax revenue [Miami Herald]
Miami Beach's tourism industry has suffered one blow after another in recent years. Now, the city is considering a novel solution: an insurance policy for resort tax revenue to help make up for unexpected budget shortfalls.

› Rick Scott seeks extension to disclose personal finances [Tampa Bay Times]
Gov. Rick Scott will not be detailing his personal finances any time soon after the U.S. Senate candidate on Tuesday filed for an extension.

› Florida ignored law in rejecting oil well in Everglades, lawyers for landowners say [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A South Florida family seeking oil wealth in the Everglades accused the state of ignoring the law in rejecting their application for an exploratory well in western Broward County.

› Jacksonville riverfront reconstruction cost rises by $1 million [Florida Times-Union]
The long-awaited demolition of the parking deck behind the old county courthouse and the reconstruction of Coastline Drive and Liberty Street could cost $1 million more and take months longer to finish than originally anticipated.