Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida get new presidents

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ picks to lead state business-recruitment and tourism-marketing efforts were unanimously approved Monday by the boards of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. The votes to hire Jamal Sowell as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida and Dana Young for the same position at Visit Florida came a day before DeSantis will take over as governor. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Politics.

Florida law restoring the vote to former felons takes effect

Under an amendment passed by the voters in November, as many as 1.4 million former felons are regaining the right to vote. The referendum overturned a 150-year-old law that permanently disenfranchised people with felony convictions. [Source: NPR]

Florida Retirement System audit forecasts diminishing future returns

The Florida Retirement System performed well in 2018, but despite that, the reported figures suggest there are some choppy waters ahead. The pension fund, which covers state, county, schools, and other government workers, saw an 8.9% return on investments in fiscal 2018. It now has $161 billion in assets under management, and is 84.3% funded. [Source: Chief Investment Officer]

Justices set to hear major "Stand your ground" case

The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments March 6 in a dispute about whether a controversial 2017 change to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law should apply to older cases. The 2017 change shifted a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases --- a shift that can play a role in determining whether people claiming self-defense should be shielded from prosecution. [Source: WUSF]

Florida's population continues to grow

A recent federal report says Florida is one of the fastest growing states when it comes to population. The U.S. Census Bureau states Florida's population increased 1.5 percent from July 2017 to July 2018. That's the fifth highest rate in the country. [Source: WTXL]

Trend Mention

2019 Celebration of Reading Join the Barbara Bush Foundation for the Florida Celebration of Reading – Miami on February 7, 2019, aboard SeaFair. Featuring appearances from bestselling authors Dave Barry, Brad Meltzer, and Susan Page, the event will honor the legacy of Barbara Bush and kick off a year-long celebration of the Foundation’s 30th anniversary. Funds raised will support the Foundation’s literacy initiatives nationwide, which include 80 programs throughout the state of Florida. More here. [Sponsored]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Otronicon makes room for tech startup companies [Orlando Sentinel]
Tech entrepreneur Gordon Folkes III spent two October evenings on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, surrounded by fire breathers, ballet dancers and hip-hop artists. But that is how it goes sometimes when you run a small startup, seeking attention and potential customers to help your business grow.

› It’s back: Red tide returns to Sarasota, Manatee beaches [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The red tide has persisted in Sarasota-Manatee for 16 months, since October of 2017. Mote Marine Laboratory reported medium concentrations near its dock at New Pass in Sarasota Bay, and very low levels were found at Venice Jetty and Brohard (Dog) Beach.

› Brightline-Virgin rail service looking at Disney station along proposed Tampa-to-Orlando route [Tampa Bay Times]
Brightline, the Florida passenger train service soon to be known as Virgin Trains USA, plans a stop near Disney World along its proposed Orlando to Tampa route. The company included a map showing a planned future station labeled “Disney” in a filing late last month with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
» Related Florida Trend Content: Floridian of the Year: Brightline

› Prominent South Florida businessman, philanthropist John P. Bauer dies at 93 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
John P. Bauer fled from Nazis, went to school in Paris, served in U.S. military intelligence and became an international trade icon. Bauer, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most well-known business moguls, died Sunday at the age of 93, said his widow Mimi.

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› Tampa Bay Partnership launches initiative to improve local talent pipeline from schools to employers [Tampa Bay Times]
The initiative, known as Tampa Bay Works, is seeking businesses to take part in two employer collaboratives to provide educators and others with detailed information about workforce needs.

› Florida’s new prison chief seen as friendly to reform [Florida Times-Union]
People who study Florida prisons closely — from conservative lawmakers to reform advocates and the loved ones of incarcerated people — responded positively to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recently announced pick to run the Florida Department of Corrections.

› Pizza Hut expands beer delivery service to Florida [WPTV]
Pizza Hut is leaning into its beer delivery service to get an edge over Domino's. The pizza chain announced on Monday that it is expanding its beer delivery program to 1,000 locations by the summer.

› Young filmmaker returns to Northeast Florida for first feature project [St. Augustine Record]
Twenty-five-year-old Kaili Torres, who grew up in Fleming Island, is currently in her second year as a graduate film student with the prestigious NYU Tisch School of Arts. Last week, Torres, who serves as writer/director for the project, arrived in St. Augustine to film “Pancakes,” starring New York-based actress Isabel Mar.