Don't expect Florida to approve sports betting anytime soon

Since 1992, federal law has prohibited most states outside of Nevada from allowing sports betting, but the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled the law unconstitutional, meaning states can now authorize sports gambling. But don't bet on Florida to approve it soon. [Source: WWSB]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Meet Florida 'Icon' Jeff Klinkenberg

The journalist and author reflects on his life spent in Florida, with a fishing pole in one hand and and a note pad in the other, chronicling the uniqueness of the state. "I started reading because I was interested in fishing. I started reading Vic Dunaway in the Miami Herald. He was the outdoors editor. I remember reading him as a kid and thinking, ‘My God, that has to be the best job in the whole world.’" Full Icon interview here.

New website will help Florida businesses prepare for natural disasters

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the launch of a new website, FloridaDisaster.biz, to help Florida businesses prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. By providing critical information before, during and after a disaster, the website will help businesses recover and get Floridians back to work following emergencies. More in the new release from the DEO.

More Florida citrus growers turning to bamboo

Few other commodities grown commercially in Florida provide products for your plate, your chair and your wardrobe. None come to mind, actually. But bamboo fits that bill, and it’s one of the newest commercial commodities introduced to Florida. [Source: News Chief]

$53 million deal points to lucrative marijuana market in Florida

A California-based company has bought a Florida medical marijuana operation for $53 million in the latest transaction in what investors hope will be among the nation’s most-lucrative medical pot markets. MedMen will acquire Treadwell Nursery’s five-acre cultivation facility, located in Eustis, and the right to operate 25 dispensaries throughout the state. See the press release from MedMen and read more at WJCT and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Patrick Murphy decides not to run for governor, endorses Gwen Graham [AP]
Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy won’t be on the ballot for governor after floating the idea of a bi-partisan ticket and instead is endorsing former congressional colleague Gwen Graham.

› As Miami Beach battles sea-rise flooding, some neighbors feud over the fixes [Miami Herald]
Miami Beach's plan has been to eventually raise all roads above the 12 inches of sea level rise the city predicts in the next 30 years — but its increasingly clear that that ambitious goal isn't universally embraced, even among commissioners.

› McKesson moving 126 jobs out of Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Health care supplier McKesson has plans to lay off 126 workers in Orlando, according to paperwork filed with the state recently. The jobs in the company’s RxCrossroads operations here are being moved to Arizona, Kentucky and North Carolina.

› State to provide more ‘BearWise' money [Press Release]
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is making $500,000 in grants available for communities, with a preference going to those that have enacted “BearWise” ordinances requiring residents and businesses to bear-proof trash containers. Read more at WJXT.

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› Sarasota architects dominate Gulf Coast AIA Design Awards [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture and Sweet Sparkman Architects collected a total of nine of the 12 design awards presented this week as part of Sarasota Architecture Week. The biannual competition is sponsored by the Gulf Coast American Institute of Architects.

› The Zika threat has waned. But with summer rains on the way, officials still urge caution. [Tampa Bay Times]
While the number of outbreaks related to Zika have dropped dramatically since its peak in 2016, Floridians shouldn’t let down their guard, health officials say.

› Forest Service offering landowners money to boost longleaf pine population [WFSU]
The Florida Forest Service is offering money incentives to private landowners in exchange for growing and creating a friendly ecosystem for the Long Leaf Pine. Those with non-industrial land of at least five, but no more than 5,000 acres of forest land are eligible.

› Brightline announces appointment of new executive leadership team [Press Release]
Brightline announced the appointment of four executives to the leadership team. The new additions are Jeff Swiatek as chief financial officer; Ravneet Bhandari as chief commercial officer; Michael Cegelis as executive vice president of infrastructure development; and Jeff Schappert as senior vice president of technology.