Feds say Florida sports betting ruling should move forward

The Biden administration has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to allow an appeals-court ruling to move forward in a battle about whether the Seminole Tribe of Florida should be able to offer online sports betting throughout the state. U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar last week filed a 29-page response after Chief Justice John Roberts on Oct. 12 at least temporarily halted the appeals-court ruling, which could help lead to sports betting. More from the News Service of Florida and NBC Miami.

Voting rights group says Florida redistricting ruling should stand

Readying for arguments next week in the high-stakes case, voting-rights groups have asked an appeals court to uphold a ruling that a congressional redistricting plan backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the Florida Constitution. Attorneys for the groups and other plaintiffs filed an 86-page brief at the 1st District Court of Appeal in the case, which centers on an overhaul of a North Florida district that in the past elected Black Democrat Al Lawson. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida agriculture commissioner seeks $300M for protecting rural land from development

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking lawmakers for a slight increase next year in funding for the separate Florida Forever land conservation program. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida scientists are mapping red tide fish kills to help regulate fishing afterward

Florida researchers are working to map fish kills after red tide events to help regulators determine harvesting limitations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the five-year project with about $1.7 million. Toxic red tide algae blooms can result in large fish kills. David Chagaris, a research associate professor at the University of Florida's Nature Coast Biological Station, said the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council often doesn't have enough information about the events to create safe catch levels in the following years for species like grouper and snapper. [Source: WLRN]

Florida lawmakers to return to Capitol to impose new sanctions on Iran

Florida lawmakers will return for a special session to impose additional sanctions against Iran, express support for Israel and provide additional security to protect Jewish institutions in Florida, House and Senate leaders announced. The session will also take up issues like hurricane relief, property insurance and providing more money for special needs students. More from the AP and Jax Today.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Construction is booming in downtown St. Petersburg. Will it last? [Tampa Bay Times]
Driving east on Central Avenue into downtown St. Petersburg, it’s hard to ignore the signs of growth. Cranes, scaffoldings and fenced off lots boasting “coming soon” signs seem to line every block. In just the past five years, the city of St. Petersburg has approved at least 32 major multi-family projects like this one, building permit records show. But as the economy slows, could this construction boom come to a screeching halt?

› Orlando leaders consider incentives to lure businesses downtown [Click Orlando]
City leaders are voting to approve a program aimed at luring restaurants and retailers into downtown Orlando. The financial incentive package calls for up to $475,000 for qualified high-quality dining restaurants to help with build-out costs and rental assistance. Qualified retail businesses are eligible for up to $200,000 in assistance.

› Dept. of Commerce names South Florida a national climate tech hub [South Florida Business Journal]
South Florida was named a climate resilience technology hub by the federal government, a designation that could unlock millions of dollars of potential funding to the region. It was one of 31 locations to win the label from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.

› Tampa door manufacturer buys company for nearly $300M [Business Observer]
Masonite International of Tampa bought Fleetwood Aluminum Products for $285 million in cash, Masonite says in a news release. Publicly traded Masonite is a designer, manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of interior and exterior doors. It also provides door systems for the new construction and repair, renovation and remodeling sectors of the residential and non-residential building construction markets

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› Florida bill aims to reduce costs of annual skin cancer screenings [WFTV]
A new bill could reduce the costs of annual skin cancer screenings if passed. A state lawmaker from Citrus County is looking to require health insurers to cover the cost of annual skin cancer screenings. It’s similar to another bill filled by a state senator. That would require health insurers and HMOs to cover screenings performed by dermatologists.

› Princess Cruises taps famed butcher, magicians for Florida-bound Sun Princess [Orlando Sentinel]
Princess Cruises has been revealing some of the features that will be on its new class of ship Sun Princess set to debut next year, including specialty venues tied to a famous Italian butcher and an iconic Hollywood magicians club. Foodie fans might hear the echoes of butcher Dario Cecchini exclaiming his love for carne (Italian for “meat”) as they venture into his new restaurant, a bistro called The Butcher’s Block by Dario.

› South Beach food festival announces lineup for 2024 [Miami Herald]
The lineup is here. All that’s left is to decide what you want to eat, who you want to see — and get your tickets. The 23rd annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival has announced its schedule for 2024, and its website is live for the annual browsing of culinary events, which include intimate dinners, walk-around tastings, master classes, appearances by Food Network stars and events under the big tents on Miami Beach.

› PGA Pro and former NFL player takes leadership role at Naples golf club [Business Observer]
Mike Scully, a PGA member since 1999 who has worked in leadership roles at golf clubs nationwide, has been named general manager/director of golf at Kinsale Golf Club in north Naples. The course, which will operate with a membership of 250 from October through May of each year. “is intended to have the look and feel of a links course with an almost limitless variety of challenges for golfers of all skill levels,” a release states.