Task force aims to trounce algae growth in Florida's troubled waters

A group of Florida scientists met for the first time, Wednesday, to keep a toxic bacteria at bay and out of Florida waters. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the creation of the Blue-green Algae Task Force in April. It followed what experts believe was the state’s worst blue-green algae outbreak ever, last year. The bacteria has been choking fresh waterways, like the Okeechobee— a hazard for both people and animals. More from WFTS , the Florida Times-Union, and CBS Miami.

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» As toxic algae blooms spawn, suit demands Lake O discharges stop

Citrus industry sees positives as harvest wraps up

Florida’s citrus industry is wrapping up its harvest with totals that at least top the past two seasons. Numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture continued to show slight decreases from earlier forecasts for the 2018-19 citrus growing season. But with nearly the entire harvest completed, the industry maintains things are positive for growers who have struggled in recent years with issues such as citrus greening and Hurricane Irma. More from the Daily Commercial and WOFL.

Record high sales expected in Florida, across the nation for Father’s Day

Retailers across the Sunshine State should expect a boost this week with record high spending expected for Father’s Day. The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) released a report on Wednesday noting that the average family in the Sunshine State will spend $139 per person for Father’s Day, part of $16 billion in spending expected around the nation for the holiday. [Source: Florida Daily]

South Florida's comics industry thrives amid movie success

As the heroes from the Marvel and DC comics universe continue to grow in popularity, a new generation of comic book consumers has created a shift in the industry. The high-flying and brawny heroes in Avengers: Endgame shattered the box office in April. The classic comic characters brought to life on the big screen are not only boosting sales for Hollywood execs, but South Florida comic book stores are also getting a piece of the pie. [Source: NBC Miami]

Reverse mortgages: 15,000 older Florida homeowners at risk of foreclosure and homelessness

Reverse mortgages, known as home-equity conversion mortgages, are available to homeowners over age 62 who want to tap into their homes’ equity. Borrowers make no loan payments as long as they live in the home. The money isn’t paid back until the homeowner dies or moves out. But what sounds like a great deal can have serious pitfalls. [Source: TCPalm]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Ultimate Software names Adam Rogers new co-CEO [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Adam Rogers, Ultimate Software’s chief technology officer, has been named co-CEO of the Weston-based technology giant, the company announced Wednesday. Rogers, who joined Ultimate Software in 1997, will lead the company with Scott Scherr founder and now co-CEO.

› Clearwater-based KnowBe4 reaches 'unicorn' status with $1 billion valuation [Tampa Bay Times]
Home-grown cybersecurity company KnowBe4 announced Wednesday that it has raised another $300 million for its overseas expansion initiatives and along the way achieved the tech world's highly prized "unicorn" status with a valuation of $1 billion.

› Sarasota-Bradenton airport breaks passenger record [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport set a record for passenger traffic in May following a spring season when several new flights took off for the first time. The airport welcomed 161,435 passengers last month, a 39.9% increase from the same month a year before. Year-to-date passenger traffic at Sarasota-Bradenton is also up 38%, according to the airport.

› More than 100 bike racks have been installed at Orlando businesses to address a ‘definite need’ [Orlando Sentinel]
Outside his bar in Orlando’s Milk District, Danny Alvarez sees bikes locked up to fences, street signs, other bikes — “anything that’s available," he says. Anything but a bike rack because there isn’t one there. It’s a problem City Hall has been trying to address, as Orlando adds bike lanes and trails around town, and restaurants and bars look to become more bike friendly.

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› $1 billion Broward convention center keeps getting more expensive [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Even before construction has started, the price of a new Broward convention center and hotel has passed $1 billion. That’s $100 million more than the previous estimate for the new hotel, expanded convention center and outdoor waterfront plaza expected to be under construction this fall and be completed in May 2023.

› Venice continues pursuit of affordable housing [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
An impromptu brainstorming session Tuesday by the Venice City Council on the best way to promote affordable housing in the city started with the query of whether to ask Sarasota County to modify its ordinance cutting impact fees on workforce housing to include places larger than 750 square feet.

› Triple Five Worldwide gets American Dream Mall on road [Miami Today]
Canadian developer Triple Five Worldwide says it is on schedule as highway bids due this month will eventually lead to its American Dream Mall. The project is moving steadily after receiving county approval last spring, representatives say.

› Florida’s non-tribal casinos set revenue record of $569 million in 2018 [Orlando Sentinel]
Revenues flowed at record levels into Florida’s non-tribal casinos’ coffers last year with $569 million collected from gamblers, an industry trade group said Tuesday. The money represented a 4.1 percent increase over 2017, and marked the ninth consecutive year on the upside, said the American Gaming Association of Washington, D.C. , in an annual survey. Nationally, the figure hit $41.7 billion, also a record.