Florida is getting opioid settlement money. Here’s how it’ll be spent.

Florida is set to receive an estimated $3.2 billion in settlement money from opioid manufacturers and distributors. This year begins the rollout of most of that money, which comes after yearslong, nationwide lawsuits. All across the country, states are getting money they can use to try to curb the opioid crisis. Now, states and municipalities are deciding exactly how to spend their money, and how to weigh the different needs of a community when it comes to fixing the opioid crisis. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Disturbance forms off the southeast U.S. coast. Here’s what Floridians should know 

A new disturbance is taking shape off the southeast U.S. coast on Monday while a tropical wave is getting closer to the Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center. Environmental conditions are expected to become marginally conductive for some gradual development of this weak low pressure as it moves towards the southeast U.S. coast later this week and into the weekend, the weather agency said in its 2 p.m. advisory. [Source: Miami Herald]

In 'Our Changing State,' Florida Matters explores the state's transforming landscape

On July 25, WUSF Public Media debuts a new Florida Matters series called “Our Changing State.” It will explore six topics — housing, environment, transportation, economy, politics, and culture — and the impact Florida's growing population has had on them. WUSF’s Sky Lebron sat down with Matthew Peddie, who hosts Florida Matters, about what the audience can expect from the show over the six weeks. [Source: WUSF]

Could sharks make good hurricane hunters? Why scientists say they can help with forecasts

You may have heard of Sharknado. Now consider "Hurrishark." But unlike in the popular sci-fi comedy film, where sharks fall from tornadoes in man-eating frenzies, researchers are finding a real-life stormy drama in which sharks' heightened senses at sea offer huge untapped potential to improve hurricane forecast models — a prospect far from science fiction. [Source: Sarasotq Herald-Tribune]

Florida tries to keep up as calls to 988 suicide line increase

One year after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, many Floridians still don’t know it exists and about 25% of the calls in the state are going unanswered. When you dial 988, it will route you to one of about 200 crisis call centers throughout the country based on your area code. From a Fort Lauderdale crisis center, counselor Brenda Mann-Kelly receives calls from a 754 or 954 area code. Over the last year, Mann-Kelly and the staff at Florida’s 13 crisis centers answered more than 82,000 calls to 988. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› New partnership offers new help to struggling theme-park, arts workers [Orlando Sentinel]
A new partnership between a local nonprofit and a more than century-old national assistance organization will strengthen the safety net for local entertainment-industry workers in times of trouble — and include theme-park employees under a special arrangement. Formed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down theaters, theme parks and other entertainment-based businesses, GOPAR — Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief — was designed to provide financial and other support to those who saw the majority of their income unexpectedly disappear.

› Miami-Dade Innovation Authority launches first project, seeks tech to rid sargassum from our shores [Refresh Miami]
Having launched in March, the Authority is tasked with launching three public challenges each year to attract the most innovative startups that can help to address some of our county’s most pressing problems. Its first public challenge, in partnership with the Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Nature Conservancy, is all about repurposing sargassum for beneficial use. Three companies will receive a $100,000 equity investment and the opportunity to test and validate their solution in collaboration with Miami-Dade County during next year’s high season for the seaweed.

› Orlando-based Simply Self Storage to be sold by Blackstone to Public Storage for $2.2B [Orlando Business Journal]
An Orlando-based self-storage company will be sold for the second time in three years — this time trading for $1 billion more than the last transaction. Glendale, California-based self-storage giant Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) announced July 24 that it had entered into an agreement with Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, or BREIT, to buy Simply Self Storage for $2.2 billion. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

› Wimauma class empowers Hispanics with labor skills during uncertain time [Tampa Bay Times]
Mireidy Hernandez knows about the struggle to survive. She came to the United States from Guatemala eight years ago, escaping the violence and poverty of her country. She worked in the fields, picking tomatoes for $9 per hour. She started at 5 a.m. and worked until late afternoon, sometimes at locations two hours away from her home in Wimauma. But Hernandez, 27, dreamed of becoming a subcontractor in the construction industry. Four months ago she took her first steps towards that goal.

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› Trailblazing attorney: Sarasota lawyer first to be elected as Florida Bar president [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Lining the walls of an office in the law firm of Syprett Meshad on Ringling Boulevard are plaques for awards and recognitions for F. Scott Westheimer's achievements in the legal community for close to 30 years. Among some of the awards include the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star and SRQ Magazine Elite Top Attorney, each award seemingly a stepping stone in Westheimer’s career and a nod to his passion.

› Gainesville-based company aims to help fans find parking for Gator games easier [Gainesville Sun]
It’s no secret that football game day parking on the University of Florida’s campus can be a hassle, and a new website called Perch may be the solution residents and visitors need. Created by JJ Paulsen and Dustin Karp, the start-up company Perch partners with local businesses and residents to advertise available parking spots on its website, simplifying UF game day parking. The platform provides the ability to purchase parking in advance of UF's football game day instead of battling thousands of others for spots around town.

› Kissimmee-area property sold to Brightline train parent company Fortress Investment Group for big bucks [Orlando Business Journal]
A Kissimmee-area property that has been the headquarters for a garden supplies manufacturer and distributor has sold in a high-dollar trade. Nursery Supplies Inc. sold the property at 2050 Avenue A for $13.8 million to FNLI Plants LLC, an entity related to New York-based Fortress Investment Group, according to a deed posted to Osceola County public record.

› St. Petersburg ‘Cocoon’ home is for sale for $11.5 million [Tampa Bay Times]
The pool at 1446 Park St N. couldn’t make Wilford Brimley look any younger. But in director Ron Howard’s 1985 Academy Award-winning movie “Cocoon,” that St. Petersburg pool was able to help Brimley’s character and other senior citizens feel younger after aliens turned it into a fountain of youth. For $11.5 million, the pool and the nearly 10,000-square-foot, six-bedroom pink home is for sale.