No longer a ‘Flori-duh’ laughingstock: How Florida’s vote came in so fast

Floridians are watching this year’s election drama from the sidelines, repeatedly hitting the refresh button and waiting for votes to trickle in from battleground states. The Sunshine State bucked its reputation for voting mishaps and slow results. Other key states — Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania — will determine whether President Donald Trump or his Democratic rival Joe Biden wins the White House. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Much of South Florida, west coast, back in Eta's cone

An indecisive Tropical Depression Eta once again took a more direct aim at South Florida overnight with much of the region, and the west coast of the state, back in the forecast cone. Eta, which is expected to restrengthen into a tropical storm Friday, could reach the central Florida Keys early Monday as a 65-mph cyclone with 75 mph sustained winds. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Florida coronavirus: 6,257 new infections — biggest increase since Sept. 1 — as resident deaths approach 17,000

Florida added 6,257 coronavirus cases Thursday, the biggest increase in daily reported infections since September 1 — to bring the cumulative statewide total to 827,380 infected. With 39 new virus fatalities reported statewide, 16,961 Florida residents are now dead. Nationwide, new confirmed cases have climbed to an all-time high of over 86,000 per day on average, in a glimpse of the worsening crisis that lies ahead for the winner of the presidential election. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Teacher saw strange bug munching a Miami Beach seagrape. It’s Florida’s latest invader

Rachel Warren, a school teacher, was taking a nature walk in North Beach with her 5-year-old daughter one morning in August when she noticed jagged edges and strange holes on the leaves of seagrape bushes along the boardwalk. But when she looked under the leaves, she saw little black bugs. She didn’t know it at the time, but she had just discovered the latest invasive species in Florida: a glossy black insect known as the black bean bug. Originally from Asia, the bugs probably arrived recently, and may pose a threat to local crops including sugar cane, hemp and beans, which are the bug’s preferred host plant. [Source: Miami Herald]

SeaWorld reports 81 percent drop in attendance

SeaWorld’s 12 theme parks, including Tampa’s Busch Gardens, suffered a $79 million loss as the company reported that attendance dropped 81 percent in its third quarter. There were a couple of bright spots, though. SeaWorld interim CEO Marc Swanson said in a conference call with investors on Thursday that attendance at the parks improved at times during the quarter, and in-park spending increased. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa’s The Hall on Franklin will close next month [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa’s first food hall is closing next month. The Hall on Franklin will close on Dec. 15, the hall’s founder Jamal Wilson confirmed Wednesday night. “We have made the decision to close the original Hall location on Franklin Street and move forward to open a Hall in Midtown and our new site in St. Petersburg,” Wilson said in an email.

› ‘Shark Tank’ hears Volusia couple’s chainsaw carving knife pitch [Orlando Sentinel]
A Volusia County couple will make an appearance on Friday’s “Shark Tank” episode. DeBary residents Kim and Lance Burney will pitch their chainsaw-inspired electric knife Mighty Carver to the sharks on the ABC show. While the husband-and-wife duo has been selling the Mighty Carver for about two years, several people encouraged the Burneys to apply for “Shark Tank.”

› Stein Mart leaving the landscape [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Workers were removing Stein Mart’s name Nov. 5 from the Southbank headquarters building it anchored. The bankrupt Jacksonville-based fashion retailer is liquidating its headquarters inventory. Stein Mart Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Aug. 12.

› Florida families may take long-term care residents home for the holidays, state says [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities may go home with family members or friends for the holidays this year, according to loosened coronavirus restrictions outlined by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. In an email sent to long-term care facilities Wednesday night, the agency also clarified visitation rules announced two weeks ago by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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› Big set-asides cut into Miami-Dade bus routes revamp [Miami Today]
After more than two years of studies, workshops and outreach, Transit Alliance Miami’s plan to give Miami-Dade’s Metrobus route network its first comprehensive overhaul in 35 years is nearly done. But despite past endorsements, some commissioners took shots at the group’s “Better Bus Network” last month, complaining it improved service in dense, affluent areas at the expense of poorer suburban regions with large minority populations.

› Jacksonville councilman Carlucci wants outside firm to examine viability of Lot J development [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci wants an outside firm to review the viability of the proposed Lot J development that Mayor Lenny Curry negotiated with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and faces a vote by council on up to $233 million in support by taxpayers.

› Hearth and Soul reveals annual advent calendar window [Tallahassee Democrat]
Hearth & Soul is continuing its annual advent calendar window with an elaborate theme to stoke the Christmas spirit. The upscale Tallahassee boutique store debuted an 8-foot-wide acrylic turntable stage. Local singer Madison Avery belted Christmas classics while strumming a guitar as she was surrounded by dangling ribbon-tied vinyl records.

› Insurance firm CEO, co-founder to retire [Business Observer]
Heritage Insurance Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRTG) CEO and co-founder Bruce Lucas plans to retire at the end of the month and will be succeeded by Ernie Garateix, who currently serves as COO of the Clearwater-based property and casualty insurance company. Lucas, according to a press release, will remain with the company through 2021 as an executive consultant.