Will Florida be ready for the 2020 Census?

Florida, as we know, is decidedly not California. The two coastal giants, Nos. 3 and 1 among states in population, are competing for congressional seats and federal funding in the 2020 Census, and they’re going about it differently. California has budgeted more than $100 million and has more than two dozen people working to reach traditionally hard-to-count communities. Florida? It doesn’t appear the Sunshine State has any committees organized around the census. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

Cuba bets on tourism as new U.S. travel and economic restrictions take hold

The battle for Cuba's economic future is being waged on its beaches. And at its all-inclusive resorts, dive sites and cobblestoned colonial plazas. As most of Cuba's economy stagnates or declines, the country has launched a full-scale effort to turn virtually the only bright spot — tourism — into an engine that can pull the rest of the communist island out of its worst economic crisis in two decades. [Source: Miami Herald]

Gov. DeSantis signs bill for 3 major Florida toll highways

Florida will begin planning three new major toll highways through mostly rural areas under a bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday over the objections of environmentalists who have otherwise praised him since taking office. The roads would take traffic off heavily congested Interstates 75 and 4, allowing drivers in southwest Florida cities like Naples and Fort Myers to bypass Tampa when they travel to Orlando and northeast Florida. [Source: AP]

Potential tropical storm brewing with hurricane season still two weeks away

A potential tropical storm may form off the Bahamas over the next few days, less than two weeks before the official start of hurricane season. If the system reaches tropical storm strength, which means a sustained wind speed of 39 to 73 mph, it would be named Tropical Storm Andrea. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald.

Hundreds of immigrants no longer coming to Florida

The Trump administration has halted plans to send thousands of people who entered the country illegally across the Mexican border to Broward and Palm Beach counties, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw announced Saturday. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and WINK News.

Florida transportation industries take off with natural gas

Nearly 30% of total U.S. energy consumption is in the transportation sector — mainly fuels used for automobiles, rail, aircraft, ships and barges. ­­ Most of these fleets can use natural gas to reduce costs, lower emissions and strengthen resiliency. And in Florida, many do. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Disney World firefighters ‘stretched to the max’ amid growing attractions, union leader says [Orlando Sentinel]
The coming attractions to Walt Disney World Resort include gondolas taking to the skies, a Star Wars-themed land and several new rides and hotels. But that expansion is raising concerns among who respond to emergency calls on Disney property, said Tim Stromsnes, president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association.

› Ultimate Software picks Sunrise to expand offices [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Ultimate Software is a Weston-based software developer designed to make companies’ human resources management “simpler.” Companies use Ultimate Software’s products to manage their human resources functions, including payroll, benefits, time and labor management.

› Tampa Bay airports look to Latin America for new flights [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa International Airport officials see Latin America as a market with a lot of potential and some unique challenges, and they aren't alone. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is undergoing renovations with an eye on possible flights to Mexico or other international destinations.

› Lakeland’s airport could become Amazon freight hub [Orlando Sentinel]
Lakeland Linder International Airport may become an air freight hub for online giant Amazon in a deal that could create 1,000 jobs. The proposal, which will by voted on by the Lakeland City Commission on Monday, calls for Amazon to lease at least 47 acres from the airport for a 283,000-square-foot complex of buildings.

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› Clermont builds on Olympic ties with sports-themed community called Olympus [Orlando Sentinel]
Athletes from around the world will have a Central Florida hub to train, compete and live in a planned 243-acre sports-themed community dubbed Olympus that plays off Clermont’s popularity as a practice spot for Olympic athletes. Plans for the newly-approved project — touted as “Epic. Every Day” — include multi-sport training and competition venues; wellness, health and fitness facilities; a village of hotels, restaurants and shops; and a residential area of townhomes and apartment buildings.

› New Ca’ d’Zan curator will offer fresh perspectives at Ringling Museum [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The new curator of Ca’ d’Zan describes herself as an art history detective. Marissa Hershon explores libraries and archives for research on architecture and decorative arts. She looks for new and different connections and perspectives. Then she brings what she’s learned to the public in museum programs and exhibits.

› Clearwater rejects Scientology’s bid for former fire station [Tampa Bay Times]
The Clearwater City Council decided to postpone demolishing former Fire Station 45 on Franklin Street, which has been vacant since 2014, to explore adaptive reuse of the building instead. The hope was to attract a brewery or restaurant to the old fire house, helping the city’s ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.

› Downtown Orlando information center prepares to reopen as ‘Discover Downtown.' It’s bigger and brighter than before. [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando wants more than just downtown visitors to stop in its revamped information center. Under the new name of “Discover Downtown” the space on Orange Avenue at Church Street has merchandise from local artists and retailers including Orlando-themed shirts, prints, decorative pillows, water bottles, Black Bee Honey and even stuffed swans named Queenie and Buddy.