The Florida 500: Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders

This immense, year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal, engaging look at the state’s most influential business leaders. [Source: Florida Trend]

Vouchers, disaster relief, Israel support: What to expect from Florida's special session

Here's what's coming: Disaster relief, Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, Iran sanctions and security grants. Special session legislation titled "Disaster Relief" is designed to provide relief and support for the walloped agricultural industry and others affected. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

Florida teacher fired for using gender-neutral title Mx. in class materials

AV Vary was told the title Mx. was a violation of the new law, according to school documents that Vary shared with the Orlando Sentinel. Vary, who only recently identified as non-binary rather than female, received a Sept. 15 written directive from the school that said Ms., Mrs. or Miss were the acceptable courtesy titles. Vary, 43, refused to change titles and was terminated on Oct. 24, according to a letter sent from the school. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Fort Lauderdale seller of hemp-derived CBD products says state crackdown putting it out of business

Just Brands LLC sells hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products that include gummies, tinctures, cartridges, oils and creams via mail order from its website. Some of its products also contain up to 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the ingredient that produces the euphoric high that cannabis is known for. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]

'Frustrating': Judge rejects request to block Florida's new university anti-DEI law

"This Court recognizes that the average person might find the outcome in this case frustrating," U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in a Friday opinion. "Here we have real professors who teach real subjects at a real school where lawmakers and decisionmakers have demonstrated real hostility toward certain ideas and viewpoints, and there is now a law that could or could not be used to punish them." [Source: Florida Today]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Greyhound amendment ended Florida dog racing. Five years later, some unfinished business. [Palm Beach Post]
Five years later, greyhound racing in Florida is finished, the last dogs are living in adopted homes and the closed kennel clubs are valuable property — but unfinished business remains.

› Jeff Bezos, after founding Amazon in a Seattle garage three decades ago, packs his bags for Miami [South Florida Sun Sentinel]
In a Thursday night Instagram post, the 59-year-old Bezos announced plans to return to Miami — where he spent his high school years — to be closer to his parents and his partner, Lauren Sánchez.

› Budget hawks start to circle over New College of Florida’s fiscal-fantasy business plan [The Capitolist]
Pressure is mounting at New College of Florida in Sarasota, where a controversial new business plan is causing a stir among conservatives worried as much about budgetary discipline as they are about educational innovation. And now the school’s new strategy has the potential to raise eyebrows among conservative budget hawks even if they agree that New College is desperately in need of an academic overhaul.

› Opera legend's widow to help deliver $30M performing arts center to Naples [The Business Observer]
The project, a partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, is dubbed The Theater in the Garden of Naples. It's designed to honor the world-renowned tenor, while also fulfilling the long-standing need for such a multiuse facility in Naples, according to a statement.

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› American Airlines to launch nonstop flights between Washington, D.C., and Melbourne, Florida [Florida Today]
The airline will advertise seasonal flights from Feb. 17 through May 4 between Reagan National Airport and Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Flights will occur on Saturdays and Sundays.

› Food and Agriculture Festival gives attendees a taste of the future of farming in Florida [Gainesville Sun]
Robots zipping through rows of neatly manicured crops at 6 feet a second. Drones flying overhead to take pictures and identify problem areas. A small, solar-powered box embedded into planters that can gauge temperature, humidity, plant health and more.

› The annual Lighthouse Run has evolved into a festive community event [Islander News]
The entire community – runners and non-runners alike – comes together for the event, which includes both 10K and 5K options. Participants enjoy a scenic run or walk through Bill Baggs State Park, with the 10K course extending out to Mashta Island and back.