Tropical system in Atlantic expected to develop, head towards Florida

Forecasters expect a system of showers in the Atlantic Ocean to develop into a tropical depression or storm this week and forecast models show the system heading in Florida’s direction. Shower activity associated with a broad area of low pressure more than 1,000 miles east of the Windward Islands has an 80 percent chance of developing into a tropical storm or depression in the next 48 hours and a 90 percent chance in the next five days, according to the National Hurricane Center. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida agriculture leaders call for USMCA fix

On July 1, the vaunted United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade pact came into force. The NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) replacement was supported by many agricultural segments across the country. But for Florida specialty crop producers, the agreement offered no new protections against an influx of product from Mexico. More from Growing Produce.

Clearwater asked 50 developers to pitch ideas for its waterfront. Two responded.

In May, city consultants invited local and national developers to submit preliminary ideas for redeveloping three sites along the downtown waterfront. Amid 20 city-owned acres set to be transformed into Imagine Clearwater, a $64 million park overlooking the Intracoastal waterway with a garden, a bluff walk, concert green and event plaza, are three parcels — ripe for hotel, residential and retail development. But of the 50 developers the city contacted for ideas, only two responded with proposals. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Local investigation into JEA sale attempt nearing end; status of federal investigation unknown

In the year since the JEA board voted in July 2019 to put the utility up for sale, the attempt has gone from being potentially the biggest deal in the history of city government to becoming one of the most investigated ventures. The collapse of an attempt to find a buyer for JEA in December was just the beginning of wide-ranging probes that have put the failed venture under scrutiny by a federal grand jury, a special City Council investigative committee and the city Inspector General’s office. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Orlando airport’s new south terminal: Spacious, light-filled, prepped for COVID-19

Rising from hundreds of acres south of the air-traffic tower at Orlando’s airport, and amid a raging pandemic, the new south terminal may be Central Florida’s biggest bet ever on its future. Showcasing the airport’s trademarked “Orlando Experience,” the new terminal will emphasize for travelers that they have landed in a fantasy land under sunny skies, surrounded by water and draped in Florida landscape – all in an alluring, if not entirely real, presentation. More from the Orlando Sentinel.