Florida protest laws could be harshest in nation under new proposal

Protesters arrested in Florida could face the harshest punishments in the nation if a new proposal from Gov. Ron DeSantis becomes law. The sweeping policy changes would make felonies out of participating in protests that result in property damage or blocking roads, and anyone who organizes or donates money to protesters would risk to liability under the state’s racketeering laws. At the same time, it would grant protections to people who drive cars into crowds of protesters, even if someone is injured or killed. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» DeSantis' protest bill questioned by Tampa Bay’s top cops, not just ‘far left’

Hedge funds head for Florida with taxes on rich rising elsewhere

Hedge funds are planning to expand their presence in Florida, adding to a migratory trend as wealthy residents of northern states face the threat of higher taxes. Chicago-based Balyasny Asset Management, with about $8 billion of assets, intends to open an outpost in Miami, according to people familiar with the matter, and Bluecrest Capital Management, which has offices in New York, recently opened a Miami office that now accommodates about 10 portfolio managers. Paul Singer’s Elliott Management Corp. is also contemplating opening an office in Florida, other people said. [Source: Accounting Today]

Florida is about to mail out 5 million ballots, testing Biden and Trump’s strategies

For months, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have strategized on voter turnout, elections officials have braced for an autumn like that no other, and the postal service has vowed to be ready to handle a record number of mail ballots going out in the nation’s largest swing state. Now it’s time for millions of Floridians to vote. [Source: Miami Herald]

Early reports show Florida businesses suffered over $4 million in damages from Sally

The newly appointed director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity was in Pensacola Tuesday, assessing Hurricane Sally's damage to businesses. Dane Eagle is in his second week on the job. He's inherited the COVID-19 economy and the stigma of the unemployment debacle six months ago. And now, he's got a hurricane. [Source: WEAR]

Florida’s housing market makes up ground in august

Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, more new pending sales, higher median prices and more new listings in August compared to a year ago despite the ongoing pandemic, according to Florida Realtors’ latest housing data. According to a Florida Realtors report this week, single-family existing homes sales rose 8.8 percent compared to August 2019. [Source: Florida Daily]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› These 18 entrepreneurs are helping create South Florida’s future [Miami Herald]
While Miami’s Black community suffers from persistent inequities overall, Miami’s Black startup community has seen rapid growth over the last 10 years. That’s due in large part to the work of CodeFever, Blacktech Week, and with organizations like Black Men Talk Tech, Venture Café, Dibia’s STEM Saturday’s, Black Girl Ventures Miami and newly formed Black Angels Miami.

› Hotel Haya is about to find out what it’s like to open during a pandemic [Tampa Bay Times]
As the pandemic waged on, so did a $52 million project to create Hotel Haya. The Ybor City boutique hotel, opening Thursday at 1412 E 7th Ave., spans century-old buildings with 178 rooms, a massive lobby and a bar and cafe. The hotel’s owners have chosen an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony rather than a full party to celebrate.

› Free virtual workshops to learn how to do business with Broward County [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Office of Small Business and Economic Development will be offering workshops in both Spanish and English. Although all workshops will be delivered in English, the development office will be presenting a Spanish version of its popular workshop “Doing Business with Broward County” from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The free workshops will be held virtually.

› Young filmmaker comes back to Jacksonville for his first feature film, a hometown affair [Florida Times-Union]
The day after graduating from the University of North Florida in 2019, Jake Pearthree left his hometown of Jacksonville, driving out to Los Angeles to try to make it in movies and TV, as so many before him have done. When it came time to make and star in his first movie, he came right back home to where he had the family, friends and connections to make it happen as efficiently — and cheaply — as possible.

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› Tampa General Hospital is partnering with Philips on new technology [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa General Hospital is partnering with Philips, the global electronics company, to update its fleet of medical equipment, from imaging to vital sign monitors, in a new partnership. The seven-year agreement will provide “millions of dollars worth" of new health care technology for the hospital, according to a press release.

› Amazon 4-star store opens at Mall at Millenia on Wednesday [Orlando Sentinel]
An Amazon store showing off the online retailer’s top products opened Wednesday at Mall at Millenia. The Amazon 4-star store, at 4200 Conroy Road, is the first of its kind in Orlando. Its offerings are either top sellers, new and trending on the online retailer’s website or rated with at least four stars. They include kitchen products, electronics, books and toys.

› Shipping container apartments units begin landing in downtown Jacksonville [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The first of three livable shipping container deliveries arrived Downtown on Sept. 18 at JWB Real Estate Capital’s Ashley Street Container Lofts project. JWB President Alex Sifakis said Sept. 21 that project contractor ShayCore Enterprises Inc. delivered containers to the site with a partial build-out complete. “There will be three ‘drops’ total,” Sifakis said in an email.

› Uber now delivers Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más groceries in Tampa [Tampa Bay Times]
Uber is entering Tampa’s grocery delivery scene via a new partnership with Winn-Dixie parent company Southeastern Grocers. That means Tampa shoppers can have Uber drivers deliver groceries from Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más stores. The new delivery option is also available in Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami.