From coronavirus to terrorists, officials say they are ready for any Super Bowl threat

As the world’s eyes turn to South Florida, officials say they are ready for any potential threat to Super Bowl 2020 — from a terrorist attack to a new virus that is spreading rapidly in China. The state is activating emergency operation centers in Tallahassee and Miami-Dade and Broward counties as a precautionary move, said Jared Moskowitz, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, WJXT, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida-based cruise companies cancel China itineraries as coronavirus spreads

Florida-based cruise companies are canceling trips to China as the number of people infected with the Wuhan coronavirus rises. Cruise companies Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and MSC Cruises all have ships that visit Chinese ports mostly geared toward a Chinese traveler. [Source: Miami Herald]

Banking mergers, rebranding recalibrating financial markets

Further evolution in the banking industry is occurring, nationally and right here in Florida, with mergers and rebranding impacting the financial market. Further evolution in the banking industry is occurring, nationally and right here in Florida, with mergers and rebranding impacting the financial market. [Source: Miami Today]

Florida's CFO pushes for faster hurricane settlements

Over a year has passed since Hurricane Michael tore through the Panhandle and nearly 16,000 claims remain outstanding. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is pushing for legislation that would require companies to settle most claims in 90 days or less, but a handful of Michael survivors have said companies only settled after pressure from regulators. The legislation being proposed still lacks some specifics, but the CFO says it is a step in the right direction before another storm. [Source: WBBH]

Big corporations dispute sponsoring a Florida police charity that mainly pays telemarketers

A Florida charity that raises money in the name of fallen police officers touts the support of several major businesses and sports franchises in its marketing materials. But at least four of these organizations — Southwest Airlines, the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Universal Orlando Resort — say they have no record of sponsoring the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund, the charitable arm of the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› JEA will ask senior executives to give up unusual benefits in employment agreements [Florida Times-Union]
JEA will attempt to renegotiate unusual employment agreements with the utility’s top tier of executives so they won’t be guaranteed months of consulting fees on top of 20 weeks of severance pay if they lose their jobs. The JEA board voted this week to authorize the Office of General Counsel to conduct those negotiations as JEA tries to move past the tumult of the now-abandoned attempt for a potential sale of the city-owned utility.

› After launching Disney Plus, Disney is lobbying Florida lawmakers to cut taxes on streaming video [Orlando Sentinel]
Two months after launching Disney Plus, the Walt Disney Co. is lobbying Florida lawmakers to slash taxes on video streaming services and other technologies -- a move that could cost local governments nearly $200 million a year.

› Tampa’s fifth Super Bowl offers small businesses a get-in-the-game opportunity [Tampa Bay Times]
Next year’s Super Bowl likely will bring several million dollars worth of contracts to Tampa Bay area businesses, and some of those companies have a path to improve their chances to win some game-related work. But to take that path they need to act in the next two weeks.

› Miami’s top food-delivery startup is opening a new kitchen. You won’t be able to eat there [Miami Herald]
Miami-based REEF Technology, a combination food, real estate and technology business valued at more than $1 billion, has purchased a space in Midtown where it plans to build a commissary kitchen to satisfy local food delivery and retail orders.

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› Cigar City Brewing is the most popular brewery in Florida, survey says [Orlando Sentinel]
Cigar City Brewing is the most popular brewery in Florida when measured by social media followers and Yelp presence, according to a new survey. The Tampa-based brewery, which was founded in 2007 and produced its first commercial batch (Maduro Brown Ale) in 2009, is known for its ales and lagers.

› ‘We don’t do Swan Lake.’ New Tampa dance company rethinks ballet [Tampa Bay Times]
The Tampa City Ballet is at work on a trilogy highlighting the rich immigrant history of Ybor City. They’ve also performed ‘If I Cry’, a journey inside Frida Kahlo’s mind, inspired by her diaries.

› Miami Beach seeks interest in running one of oldest buildings [Miami Today]
It’s one of Miami Beach’s oldest buildings. Now, city commissioners want to drum up ideas for use of the Carl Fisher Clubhouse. Mayor Dan Gelber and the city commission discussed the clubhouse’s potential Jan. 15 and agreed the city will seek letters of interest to attract potential ideas for the site.

› Former JEA board member who received $75,000 contract discussed working for utility prior to resigning [Florida Times-Union]
Alan Howard, a former JEA board member whose law firm was hired by the city-owned utility last year to help its ill-fated efforts to sell itself to a private operator, discussed working for JEA with its now-ousted CEO Aaron Zahn while he was still on the board.