Hurricane Idalia strengthens to Category 4, barrels toward the Big Bend area
Hurricane Idalia rapidly strengthened to a Category 4 early Wednesday and is expected to bring “catastrophic” storm surge when it makes landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida this morning. Life-threatening storm surge is likely along portions of the Gulf Coast where a storm surge warning is in effect, which includes Tampa Bay, the National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday. Between the Wakulla/Jefferson County line and Yankeetown, storm surge could reach 16 feet above ground level. More from Tampa Bay Times and the Weather Channel.
New York, California lose $1 trillion as financial firms decamp to Florida, Sun Belt
During the pandemic, many wealthy citizens flocked from expensive coastal markets in New York and California to tax-friendly enclaves in Texas and Florida. Financial firms moved too, taking trillions of wealth with them. In the last three years, New York and California each lost firms that managed approximately $1 trillion worth of wealth to different pastures. More from the Real Deal and Bloomberg.
Hurricane Idalia's deluge brings increase of mosquito-borne illnesses
With two sentinel chickens already testing positive for the antibodies to West Nile virus in early August in Brevard County, health officials urge the public to take precautions as Hurricane Idalia's rains forge more fertile ground for mosquito breeding. While there are no West Nile virus illnesses yet in Brevard, acquired in Florida, there have been three cases acquired in Florida: two in Escambia County with onset in July (2) and August and one "asymptomatic positive blood donor" cases reported in Bay County in August. [Source: Florida Today]
Nearly 100 springs advocates speak out against state's 'harm rule'
Ever since the passage of the Springs and Aquifer Protection Act in 2016, DEP has been working on clarifying language that defines what constitutes harm to what are known as Florida’s outstanding springs, 30 freshwater bodies that require additional protections. Last March, before the first workshop for the rule, the Florida Springs Council urged regulators to consider the council’s version, which Executive Director Ryan Smart said would more explicitly prevent permits that allow overpumping. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Here's where all the wealthy, young people are moving this year
Wealthy, young Americans are flocking to Florida, Texas, and New Jersey — and away from New York and California. For young high earners, Florida was the most popular destination, as the state had a net gain of nearly 2,200, bringing the number of high earners in this cohort to over 23,500. [Source: Business Insider]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 'World-class centrifuge': Draper building unique missile-testing facility in Titusville
Draper, which designs guidance systems for U.S. Navy missiles, is building one of the world's largest centrifuge facilities in Titusville. Tuesday morning, roughly 90 people gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the roughly $50 million future Strategic Enhanced Ground Test Facility. Draper CEO Jerry Wohletz said the centrifuge campus will employ 150 highly skilled workers.
› Messi’s new soccer home, Miami Freedom Park stadium, is finally under construction
If all goes according to plan, Lionel Messi will have a permanent, proper 25,000-seat stadium to play in at some point during the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Inter Miami, which has been playing at DRV PNK Stadium, a temporary facility in Fort Lauderdale, announced Monday night that construction began on Miami Freedom Park earlier this month. Fencing has gone up, crews and heavy equipment are now on site, performing earthwork and site work. The new stadium, adjacent to Miami International Airport, includes a 58-acre public park and entertainment district and is scheduled to open in 2025.
› Sanford moves forward on contamination ordinance after 1,4-dioxane was discovered in water wells
Sanford commissioners on Monday unanimously gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that requires anyone who causes or knows about a pollutant or toxic chemical being spilled or dumped on the ground or into a water body to quickly report it to the city and other authorities. It’s an effort to protect the area’s groundwater, including the Floridan Aquifer, which is the primary source of drinking water for the region, according to city officials.
› Record flooding feared along Alafia River in south Hillsborough
Hillsborough County is preparing for “record flooding potential on the Alafia River,” the county’s top emergency official said Tuesday. “This storm brings some unique and dangerous threats to Hillsborough County,” Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley said during a morning news briefing. The county could see a storm surge of up to 7 feet from Hurricane Idalia.
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› LGBT+ club to open in almost 100-year-old cigar company building in downtown Jacksonville
Inside Jacksonville's Hardwicks Bar downtown, you can look through its tall floor-to-ceiling windows across Ocean Street for a great view of the former Haydon Burns Library, the multi-finned, mid-century modern masterpiece of the late architect Taylor Hardwick. The owners of the new LBGT+ bar, which opens in about a month, are preservationists — their club is in a renovated 97-year-old building of some distinction — and fans of Hardwick's work, which also includes the Southbank's Friendship Fountain.
› Kimco Realty agrees to buy RPT Realty, creating a portfolio of six Jacksonville properties
Kimco Realty and RPT Realty, both based in New York, announced a merger agreement Aug. 28 for Kimco to buy RPT for about $2 million in an all-stock transaction, combining two shopping center owners that together have six properties in Jacksonville. The transaction is expected to close in early in 2024, subject to RPT shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions.
› International CPA turns Fort Myers into her global business hub
Marie Grasmeier's path to a Southwest Florida international accounting and consulting firm went through three continents before landing at Fort Myers. Since she became an American and international accountant, Grasmeier has seen change not just in her career course, but in the course of her U.S. and international tax clients, something that delights her.
› José Andrés Group to open new Mediterranean restaurant at luxury Miami Beach hotel
Chef and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés is returning to Miami Beach: His restaurant group plans to open a new restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach hotel. The José Andrés Group will be taking over all food and beverage operations for the luxury hotel, a Forbes Four-Star property at 1 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, including the restaurants, lobby bar, Ritz Club lounge and in-room dining.