Florida voters say there's room for a more centrist third party

In the final weeks before the midterm elections, most Florida voters have lost confidence that Democrats and Republicans can work together and nearly half think there's room for a more moderate third party. That's according to a new University of South Florida survey of 600 Florida voters that shows 46% of Florida voters would be at least somewhat likely to vote for a third-party candidate who held centrist views for president in 2024. More from Axios and USF

Tolls resume on Alligator Alley and others nearly one month after Hurricane Ian suspension

Tolls on Alligator Alley and two other roadways were reinstated on Tuesday, almost one month after Hurricane Ian slammed into Southwest Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation announced that tolls had also resumed at the Pinellas Bayway and the Sunshine Skyway as of 11:59 p.m. Monday. With these reinstatements, all storm-related toll collection suspensions have ended. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Elections officials grapple with misinformation, myths

First came a contagion of disbelief in election results. Then, a surge of public-records requests seeking details such as voting-system security processes. Now, fears of being arrested for voting. Elections supervisors in Florida have grappled with these and other issues as they oversaw the state’s August primary elections and prepared for the Nov. 8 general election. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Study reveals best, worst US cities for remote workers

Unsurprisingly, given the region’s surge of popularity during the pandemic, Tampa Bay ranks No. 3 on the list, behind only Frisco, Texas, and top-ranked Plano, Texas. Eight of the top 10 cities are in the South, including No. 9 Jacksonville, thanks to factors such as low or no state income taxes and quantity and quality of outdoor recreation spaces. [Source: Business Observer]

With less reinsurance for reinsurers, prices set to rise again for Florida carriers

Above and beyond the tragic ongoing personal and economic hardship wrought, Ian will leave a troubling legacy in Florida’s insurance and real estate markets. Prior to Ian, homeowners insurance premium for Floridians was already three times the national average. The state’s property insurance market was already faltering and under extreme stress, with half a dozen insurance carriers in the state declaring insolvency in 2022 alone. And this is just the beginning. [Source: Insurance Journal]

Trend Mention

The Poynter Institute's Bowtie Ball: Nov. 12, 2022 Fifty years ago, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s dogged reporting of the 1972 Watergate break-in changed the course of American history and fortified journalism’s role in democracy. The Poynter Institute will present these two legendary journalists with the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism at the organization’s Bowtie Ball on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Carl Bernstein will be attending to accept the honor. Tickets for this celebration of journalism and democracy are available at poynter.org/gala.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts announces new executive director [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, Inc. has announced Zora Carrier as its new executive director. Carrier, who has decades of experience as a cultural strategist, was previously the executive director of the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa from 2014-2022. The organization Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) connects businesses to the arts community, recognizing the “positive economic impact of a vibrant arts and cultural sector on the community at large,” according to a news release.

› Space Florida may lease land in Santa Rosa to help create aerospace and aviation jobs [Pensacola News Journal]
Santa Rosa County is looking to partner with Space Florida — a relatively new state agency meant to drive aerospace economic development — in bringing new jobs and opportunities to the county's Whiting Aviation Park. The county is looking to lease 15 acres slated for Leonardo Helicopters — the park's keynote tenant — to the state agency for 20 years. Space Florida would then lease the land to Leonardo Helicopters, which is planning its customer care facility in the park. The two will work together to fundraise, finance and build the facility.

› Orlando maps out tech industry growth goals at Synapse innovation summit [Orlando Inno]
Orlando's innovation ecosystem mapped out its future on Friday. Tech and innovation summit Synapse Orlando on Oct. 21 returned to the City Beautiful for the third time since 2019, drawing more than 2,000 registrants and 85 exhibitors showing off the latest in gaming, crypto, venture funding, entertainment tech and more. Specifically, regional economic development organization Orlando Economic Partnership shared its goals to grow tech companies and funding in the next five years.

› Fort Myers cancer services company aims to go public in $500M deal [Business Observer]
A Fort Myers-based cancer treatment and services company is set to go public at a valuation of nearly $500 million, after completing a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. The company, American Oncology Network, has created a national network of community-based oncology practices across the U.S., in an effort to bring economies of scale to individual offices and compete with bigger hospital systems. As of October, the company had 107 physician customers across 24 practices, representing 71 physical locations in 18 states.

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› Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday. Here’s where to dispose of expired, unwanted medications [Orlando Sentinel]
If you have any unused prescription medications, several Central Florida sites will take them off your hands. Health care facilities are offering anonymous and safe disposal of drugs including opioids on Saturday. The event, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration. All Veteran Affairs facilities across the country are open for dropoffs on Friday and Saturday, according to the VA’s website.

› Matching funds top $11.55 million [News Service of Florida]
Florida has parceled out more than $11.55 million in matching funds in this year’s statewide campaigns, with about $10.75 million going to gubernatorial candidates, according to data posted on the state Division of Elections website. As of Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis had drawn nearly $6.56 million for his re-election campaign, while Democratic challenger Charlie Crist had received about $3.25 million.

› Disney: Thunderbirds flyover set for Magic Kingdom [Orlando Sentinel]
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team will again make a flyover of Walt Disney World on Thursday. The Thunderbirds will do two passes over Magic Kingdom theme park beginning at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting. The team will conclude with their delta maneuver, where they rapidly go in different directions. Disney says the event leads into National Veterans and Military Families month in November. It notes that Walt Disney and his brother Roy Disney served in the military during World War I.

› Creativity on display: Brevard artists to show and sell works at Cocoa Beach library [Florida Today]
They come from very different backgrounds, but the members of the Central Brevard Art Association share a common goal: To promote and encourage the arts. Their upcoming annual Christmas Art Show and Sale will do just that, and provide some memorable holiday gifts too. The show, which runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 4 to 6, at Cocoa Beach Public Library, will showcase the unique talents of dozens of artists working on a variety of media, from photography and sculpture to jewelry and fiber.