Gov. Scott won't pick three state Supreme Court justices; but here's why he wins anyway

On Monday, Florida's Supreme Court ruled that the next governor -- not Gov. Scott. -- will pick three high court justices.

But Scott's influence will be felt anyway, because the next governor will only be able to make his choices from a list of between nine and 18 names supplied by a judicial nominating commission – a nine-member panel comprising five appointees chosen directly by the governor and four more picked by the governor from lists of nominees made by the Florida Bar. Full article here -- includes profiles of each of Florida’s nine Supreme Court gatekeepers.

See also:
» Florida Supreme Court ruling raises stakes of governor’s election

Patronis warns scammers, crooks preying on storm victims

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis warned that scammers and crooked contractors are already out, preying on families in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I can’t say this enough: Hurricane Michael was catastrophic. I’ve already heard of crooked contractors who are asking for cash up front and pressuring some to sign an assignment of benefits contract." See the news release from the CFO here. Also read more at Northwest Florida Daily News.

See also:
» Experts: Hurricane Michael failed to end Florida's red tide

Uncertainty abounds as stone crab season begins

Many fishermen believe things are cyclical, with four or five good years followed by a lull — such as this past year, with grouper. If that’s the case, then the October 2017-May 2018 stone crab season catch may be a hint of another downturn. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

High demand for medical marijuana means more jobs

The medical marijuana business in Florida is booming, which means more job opportunities for you. Less than two years after state voters approved it, some analysts believe Florida’s pot industry will top $1 billion by 2020 -- and that has many investors and job seekers seeing green. [Source: WJXT]

Florida Panhandle building codes lagged behind rest of state

Unlike in South Florida, homes in the state’s Panhandle did not have tighter building codes until just 11 years ago; it was once argued that acres of forests would provide the region with a natural barrier against the savage winds of a hurricane. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

Mirroring Florida's Growth: Greenberg Traurig Serves Needs of Regional and Global Businesses

With deep Florida roots and experienced attorneys serving clients locally, nationally and globally, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., has built a reputation as the go-to counsel for protecting the interests of corporations, insurers, real estate developers, and high net-worth individuals. Story here. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Outside money now at $42 million in Florida’s U.S. Senate race [Florida Politics]
Outside groups have spent almost $17 million just in the past two weeks on advertising and other campaigning in the battle between Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and his opponent Republican Gov. Rick Scott in Florida’s U.S. Senate election.

› Vermont-based MyWebGrocer being acquired by Florida firm [US News & World Report]
A Vermont-based company that helps grocers with their online strategies announced Monday it was being acquired by a Florida company. MyWebGrocer of Winooski was acquired by Miami-based MI9retail.com.

› Central Florida authorities to trade gift cards for unwanted guns this week [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida law enforcement agencies will be offering to trade a $50 gift card on Tuesday for an unwanted firearm at the annual “Kicks 4 Guns” events. Authorities will not ask any questions or require identification from anyone who wants to surrender their firearm.

› Pasco County sets up permit process for doggy dining [Tampa Bay Times]
Six months after the Pasco County Commission approved a new dog-dining ordinance, only one restaurant had applied for a permit allowing patrons to partake with their pooches — Harold Seltzer’s Steakhouse in Port Richey.

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› Sarasota-Manatee losing its only Sears [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, buckling under its massive debt load and staggering losses. Sarasota-Manatee’s only store will close before the end of the year, according to court filings. The closing of the DeSoto Square Mall Sears is another blow for the Manatee County shopping center facing a foreclosure action.

› Everybody knows her name, but Donna Shalala is finding it difficult to get to Congress [Miami Herald]
Donna Shalala is so well known in Miami she has to tell voters it’s “really me” when she makes campaign calls. Otherwise, she says, some people assume it’s a robocall. Yet Shalala finds herself in a tight race against a political rookie for an open congressional seat that Democrats figured would be theirs.

› Trulieve launches relief drive to help Panhandle neighbors [Florida Politics]
Trulieve, one of the leading licensed medical marijuana providers in Florida, announced it would launch a statewide donation drive to help areas affected by Hurricane Michael. The Gadsden County-based company stressed the connection between the business and the Panhandle and Big Bend communities affected by the storm.

› Direct mail campaign targeted business owners, Realtors [Jax Daily Record]
The state Office of the Attorney General has filed a complaint in Jacksonville against two companies and their owner alleging deceptive trade practices designed to target owners of new businesses and licensed real estate agents.