Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida women in leadership: Power steering

As COO, Cheryl Miller helped guide AutoNation through the recession. She’s now CEO of the company, the fifth-biggest firm in Florida and the largest firm in the state to be headed by a woman. Miller’s promotion to CEO made her the first woman to lead a publicly-traded company based in South Florida — and one of only 10 women among the 125 largest public companies statewide [Source: Florida Trend]

Red tide is back off the coast of Florida

Toxic algae has returned to the waters off southwest Florida and has begun to slowly creep up the state's Gulf coast over the past month. Scientists say it is difficult to predict where the tide is heading next, or how long it will last. But residents who experienced the last one are worried -- about their health, the wildlife and whether their businesses can endure another prolonged outbreak. [Source: CNN]

See also:
» High levels of red tide found in Sarasota County
» Red tide concerns are high in Southwest Florida

WrestleMania 2019 visitors spent $165 million. In Tampa 2020, they could spend even more.

WrestleMania’s Florida comeback is less than six months away and the Tampa Bay tourism industry is already anticipating a city takeover with more than $100 million in visitor spending. WWE on Monday released the results of an economic impact report that shows visitor spending in the New York and New Jersey region during 2019′s WrestleMania hit $165.4 million in April. But when the super bowl of wrestling comes for a week-long celebration in Tampa for the first time next April, that number could be even higher. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Oaks instead of palm trees? Florida’s iconic palms don’t cut it with climate change

South Florida’s palm trees are postcard promises of sighing sea breezes and sandy beaches, but the icon of the tropics may be an impractical adornment in an era of climate change. From the regal royal palm to the sometimes shabby cabbage, the perennial symbol of the Sunshine State offers little shade to baking urban heat islands and captures minimal amounts of carbon — a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. [Source: Destin Log]

One of the world’s largest cruise ships makes Florida debut

Miami is home to yet another of the world’s largest cruise ships. MSC Cruises brought the MSC Meraviglia to PortMiami to begin its first-ever season of sailing from Florida. The 171,598-gross-ton, 4,500-passenger vessel is tied with a sister ship as the 7th largest ship in the world. Already, PortMiami has played host to some of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class of ships, which hold the top 4 spots. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› New program to offer free legal advice to Florida veterans [WTXL]
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a new program to help veterans across the state. A statewide helpline will offer free legal advice for military veterans. The call center will be based out of Bay Area Legal Services, that's a Tampa-based non-profit.

› Beer garden, Wawa, ‘micro restaurants’ coming to Sarasota [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In many ways, Southwood Village on Fruitville Road is a lot like the 10,000 or so other mixed-use developments proposed for the increasingly scarce supply of vacant land in Sarasota-Manatee. But this pending live and play community, on 34 acres at the northeast corner of Fruitville and Coburn roads, is going to offer something a little different and a little more modern.

› Coral Gables is getting another co-working space — and it’s not another WeWork [Miami Herald]
Coral Gables is getting its second major co-working space, showing the concept remains in-demand even as giant WeWork struggles to find its footing. Miami-based Location Ventures announced it had secured a $12 million loan to convert the ground floor of 299 Alhambra Circle into a co-working space to be known as FORUM. Location Ventures already owns the five-story, 52,719-square-foot property.

› Port Tampa Bay seeks replacement for outgoing board chairman Stephen Swindal [Tampa Bay Times]
Port Tampa Bay is taking applications from people with maritime industry backgrounds who are interested in serving on the authority’s board of commissioners. A seat on the board is scheduled to open next February when board chairman Stephen W. Swindal completes his term. Swindal, 65, has indicated that he will not seek a fourth four-year term.

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› Pasco allows new development feared by town of St. Leo [Tampa Bay Times]
There is nothing grand about Grande Oaks, according to St. Leo town officials. Or is there? "We are proud of this plan,'' lawyer Barbara Wilhite said about the development proposal more than four years in the making. The dichotomy of opinions came last week before the Pasco County Commission in Dade City.

› Miami in Motion: From Jeeps to supercars, this show is making waves [Florida Times-Union]
Now in its 49th year, the Miami International Auto Show is recognized as one of the nation’s premier auto expositions. The latest edition is once again providing a platform for manufacturers to give the media and public an exclusive look at what is happening today and a glimpse around the corner.

› Impact 100 SRQ announces 2019 grant recipients [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Impact 100 SRQ awarded $228,000 in strategic, high impact grants to two local non-profits committed to improving the community. The group of local women philanthropists announced the 2019 grant recipients at Impact 100 SRQ’s annual meeting and grants award celebration in November.

› After slight rise, Florida gas prices trend back down [Florida Politics]
Gas prices in the state dropped an average of four cents per gallon this past week, according to the newest report from AAA. The news follows a recent rise of five cents per gallon, according to the group’s previous report.