Could Florida’s nasty algae problem have an upside? That green slime is valuable commodity

Could algae, the fish-killing bane of Lake Okeechobee and Florida’s coastal waters, actually become a valuable state product? Think orange juice, except green, slimy and terrible tasting. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and private partners think there is a possibility. The thick mat of green gunk could have commercial value, used for everything from producing fuel to yoga mats and even sneakers.[Source: Miami Herald]

Florida outlines plans to use VW settlement money

Florida wants to use $166 million in Volkswagen settlement money to install electric vehicle charging stations along Florida's Turnpike and to replace diesel buses and shuttle vans with electric models. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Wednesday at a turnpike service plaza in Ocoee. DeSantis said three of the eight turnpike service plazas have vehicle charging stations. [Source: AP]

Forbes’ most-valuable list not kind to Florida sports franchises

Forbes’ 2019 list of the world’s most valuable sports franchises is an embarrassment of riches, from the top-ranked Dallas Cowboys to the 50th-ranked New Orleans Saints. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find Florida teams on the list. Just two of the nine major pro teams to call Florida home made this year’s list: the Miami Dolphins, 33rd in the world with an estimated value of $2.6 billion; and the Jacksonville Jaguars, 49th in the world with an estimated value of $2.1 billion. [Source: Florida Poliitcs]

Florida's tax-free back-to-school weekend starts Aug. 2. Here's everything you need to know.

It’s almost time to hit the books, and the store. Florida’s tax holiday begins on Aug. 2. Shoppers will be able to buy the bulk of what their children need for school without having to pay sales tax. The Florida Retail Federation estimates Floridians will save a combined $36 million from the tax break and spend an average of $600 on back-to-school items. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Tongue-in-cheek ‘Unhappy New Yorkers’ website lures transplants to Florida

Miami may be locked in a serious battle to draw high-earning transplants from the Northeast, Midwest and other areas, but who’s to say it can’t be fun? Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners; Jim Carr, a principal, along with Mr. Codina, in CC Homes; and Ron Shuffield, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty CEO, traveled to Washington, DC, and New York City a few months ago to extoll Miami’s virtues. [Source: Miami Today]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Late-night South Florida sushi hotspot set to roll out nationwide franchises [Florida Trend]
Sushi Sake, a popular late-night Asian cuisine hotspot in South Florida for over a decade, is spreading its Miami vibes across the nation. In addition to standing out with premium quality seafood and infusing Latin flavor into select menu items, Sushi Sake restaurants offer a flexible model that can be either a combo of a traditional Japanese Teppanyaki house/sushi bar – or a local neighborhood sushi bar.

› Two out-of-state companies to build major distribution center in the Tampa Bay area [Tampa Bay Times]
Construction is expected to start in August on a 303,006-square-foot distribution center in Seffner. Built on speculation for an undisclosed cost, the facility will have distribution/warehouse space for one or two tenants and enable them reach customers throughout the Southeast.

› DeSantis launches probe of office overseeing professional guardians after death, resignation [Orlando Sentinel]
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday his administration is “vigorously” investigating the state office overseeing professional guardians in the wake of its director’s sudden resignation, adding he may ask for legislation to address the beleaguered system.

› Miami International Airport adds seven airlines [Miami Today]
Seven new airlines have been added to the 65 that carry passengers into and out of Miami International Airport. At the same time, seven of its existing large carriers have registered double-digit passenger gains in 2019 compared to last year. Overall, the airport’s passenger traffic has risen slightly this fiscal year, according to eight-month figures supplied by Miami-Dade’s Aviation Department.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida on pace to have worst year ever for boat-related manatee deaths [WTXL]
Last year, Florida boat operators killed more manatees than ever before—stats from the state show. The mortality data, recently finalized by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, lists 123 of the mammals as killed by watercraft in 2018 . Officials also said 2019 is on pace to exceed that.

› South Florida is a top home buyer’s market for millennial veterans, study finds [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Millennial veterans and service members looking to put down some roots are keen on South Florida. A new study found that the Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Pompano-Beach metro area ranked No. 6 nationally in the number of millennial veterans purchasing homes.

› How local law enforcement agencies are handling Florida's new hemp law [WFTV]
Florida's new hemp law went into effect three weeks ago. It made hemp legal up to .3% THC in the state. But investigative reporter Karla Ray has learned that there's no way for local law enforcement to determine the difference between hemp and marijuana. Some agencies are now warning their officers not to make custodial arrests for suspected marijuana at all.

› New Brew Helps Protect Endangered Owls [Florida Trend]
Efforts to protect endangered Burrowing Owls are getting a boost from Big Storm Brewing Co. and its customers. A portion of the proceeds from the brewer’s new Kentucky Common Burrowing Owl beer will go to support the non-profit Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) and its work to save the threatened species.