Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Daily Pulse

Michael forecast to strike Panhandle as a midweek hurricane

Tegu in a trap

Michael - click to enlarge map

 

A tropical storm that formed rapidly off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula has gained strength and could become a dangerous Category 2 hurricane with an expected midweek strike on the Gulf Coast over the Florida Panhandle, forecasters say. More from, CBS News, the Tallahassee Democrat, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Miami Herald.

See also:
» Florida declares emergency in 26 counties as Tropical Storm Michael approaches
» Tallahassee braces for potential hurricane impact
» See the latest advisories here.

Florida Trend Exclusive
2018 Florida Elections: Blue surge or red surprise?

Gillum - DeSantis

A number of competitive seats statewide could set the tone nationally. There's no sharper contrast on the ballot this year than the race for governor, where the Republican, U.S. Rep. Ron De- Santis, is a hard-line conservative and Donald Trump devotee, and the Democrat, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, is an aggressive liberal and a favorite of the Bernie Sanders crowd. Full story here.

Related quick poll:
» Which of these Florida candidates do you favor for U.S. Senator?

State political candidates owe millions in student loan debt

Candidates for state office in Florida owe millions of dollars in student loans, a reflection of a soaring student loan debt crisis affecting young people across the country. State candidates owe an eye-popping $3,826,920 in student loan debt, based on a review of all the candidates’ financial disclosure forms. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

State receives influx of cash for child care

Low-income families across the state will have greater access to child care, thanks to $60 million in new federal funding that the state’s Office of Early Learning is distributing largely based on how many children are waiting for services in each county. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

State offers rebates for advanced septic systems

Efforts to clean up polluted springs in Florida now include a state rebate for homeowners opting to replace their septic systems with models that perform better. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is offering as much as $10,000 to offset the cost of installing septic-tank systems that significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen pollution they discharge. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

FSU successfully 'Raises the Torch' for the future

FSU

Eight years ago, Florida State University embarked on the most ambitious fundraising effort in its history. Raise the Torch: The Campaign for Florida State was launched to attract $1 billion in philanthropic support to implement bold ideas that would continue to distinguish Florida State as a preeminent university and positively affect the future for students, faculty and alumni. Full story here. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Business owners near the beach glad to see customers return
For the first time in months red tide has eased up on the South Florida coastline, and that is good news for business owners and beachgoers. The latest red tide map shows concentration are lower in southern Lee and Collier Counties.

› Puerto Rican evacuees in Central Florida seek stability
For perhaps all but the wealthiest and best-connected of the displaced Puerto Ricans, starting over has been a struggle. There is unfamiliar bureaucracy, school transfers, job and career reboots, and a jarring shift from a culture that was vibrant and embracing to one that, at times, feels cold and resentful.

› How to live with coyotes? That's the challenge for Southwest Florida
It’s fall, which means coyote yearlings are on the move, seeking their own territory. That’s a mixed blessing at best. Some research suggests these creatures help control the rats and mice we'd rather not have in our homes and yards. But although humans have little to fear for their own safety, there are other risks.

› Explosive growth of St. Johns County hasn’t affected Putnam yet, but leaders say it’s coming
A couple generations ago, St. Johns and Putnam counties were similar in size and not too different in prosperity — with the exception of the upscale Ponte Vedra Beach section of St. Johns County. In 1980, both counties had about 50,000 residents. The difference between the two places is that St. Johns County was poised for explosive growth. Putnam County? Not so much.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Its cargo business booming (thanks, Amazon!), Tampa International Airport makes room for more
Thanks largely to Amazon, Tampa International Airport’s cargo business is booming, with 42 percent more cargo in August than in the same month last year.

› As seen on TV: Boca company donates 'Buddy Bench' to school
A Boca Raton company is making what schools call a “Buddy Bench.” The company’s version of this type of bench — recently featured on the “Steve Harvey” TV show — is meant for schools and parks to provide a place where children can go when they are feeling left out or bullied.

› Voters report fraudulent calls urging them to send back ‘excess’ ballots
With the first mail ballots for the Nov. 6 election now on their way or arriving at voters' homes, so are voter suppression calls – outreach aimed at hampering votes.

› Ex-Disney Epcot chef opening ramen shop in downtown Orlando
The former chef at Disney Epcot’s Japan Pavilion is opening a new ramen bar and Japanese restaurant downtown near the Orange County Courthouse. Chef Shuichi Tanida is building out his new eatery The Ramen at the former spot of Philly Connection in the Crescent Central Station building.