Florida’s next governor may have budget surplus to work with

Florida's next governor may inherit a small budget surplus during his first year in office, according to an annual forecast by state economists. The new forecast released late Friday shows the state is expected to bring in enough money in 2019 to meet its needs for public schools and health care programs while leaving $1 billion available for reserves . [Source: AP]

See also:
» Florida’s economy is a top issue in campaign for governor

Florida governor on hurricanes: 'Now is the time to get prepared'

After a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Florence, Governor Rick Scott is urging Floridians to get prepared. Florence strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Sunday morning and is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane by Monday and approach the southeastern U.S. coast later this week. Currently, there is no part of Florida under a hurricane or tropical storm warning. More from WTXL and Action News Jax.

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» Gov. Scott says Floridians can expect "extremely dangerous surf conditions including life-threatening rip current along the east coast."

After 18 years, USF president Judy Genshaft expected to announce retirement today

University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft, who in her 18 years at the school’s helm has steered the research powerhouse along a swift upward trajectory into a new era of ‘preeminence,’ is expected to announce her retirement Monday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» USF climbs to its highest ranking ever from U.S. News & World Report

One year after Hurricane Irma: Florida Keys’ society unraveling

People whose grip on Eden was tenuous before Irma blew their homes apart, are feeling it slip away entirely in the face of strict rebuilding codes that require raised structures fortified to withstand Mother Nature’s worst. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Sarasota is popping

From Andy Corty, Florida Trend's Publisher: I took an Urban Land Institute tour of downtown Sarasota and was amazed at all the construction — a good mix of commercial space along with apartments for the younger set and higher-end developments. Corty's full column is here.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Local businesses put pressure on the Jaguars to bring home another successful season [Action News Jax]
The Jacksonville Jaguars took home the first win of the season against the New York Giants Sunday, but it's not just the team bringing home success. “Any time the Jags do well, people come out and buy our stuff,” Jam Clothing co-owner, Joshua Garrett said. “Another thing, we have unique stuff you can’t find anywhere else.”

› Second bank says no to Florida candidate who supports pot [AP]
Florida's Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner says a second bank has terminated her campaign account because she supports medical marijuana.

› Self-storage proposal could mean the end of bitter saga over Tamarac land [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A development scandal that rocked Tamarac City Hall and left three commissioners accused of corruption is almost nearing an end. And the finale to that bitter saga may come in the form of a self-storage project.

› Red Tide arrives in Pinellas, killing hundreds of thousands of fish [Tampa Bay Times]
Pinellas County environmental officials have reported hundreds of thousands of dead fish on and off the coast of area beaches stretching more than 20 miles from Clearwater to St. Petersburg, confirming that Red Tide has reached the Tampa Bay area.

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› More than a dozen Florida craft beers and wines to try at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival [WTSP]
Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival has been like the foodie Superbowl for the past 23 years. This year’s event, which began at the end of August, brings 75 days of culinary creations and craft drinks to Disney World. Alongside international dishes and foodie workshops is a stocked lineup of craft beer and wine from Florida.

› Shark fishing regulations might be coming soon [TCPalm]
The state of Florida could soon have new regulations for shark fishing from shore. There has been public outcry by beach goers and shark researchers. Regulations are under review by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

› Phillip Frost, Miami science museum’s namesake, charged with securities fraud [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Phillip Frost, the founder of pharma giant OPKO Health and the namesake of the Phillip Frost science museum, has been charged with securities fraud. According to the SEC, from 2013 to 2018, Frost, along with nine other South Florida investors, allegedly manipulated the share price of the stock of three companies.

› Urban agriculture takes root around Tampa Bay, but rules haven’t kept up [Tampa Bay Times]
Urban agriculture, by definition, tends to be a small-scale enterprise, but the Tampa Bay area has a vanguard of city-based farmers, with more expected. Trouble is, local rules — can you grow food in a commercial district? can you sell your produce where you grow it? — haven’t kept up.