In Milton’s wake, Tampa Bay picks up the pieces — again
After Hurricane Milton’s punishing rampage had ended Thursday, Florida residents turned their focus to yet another daunting recovery. The storm — which made landfall at Siesta Key on Wednesday — pounded the state before dawn with relentless wind and rain. It spawned deadly tornadoes, swamped streets with record-breaking rainfall and inundated inland communities. Barrier Island residents that barely had begun to process Hurricane Helene 13 days prior were hit yet again. [Source: The Tampa Bay Times]
State appeals in union law dispute
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is appealing after a U.S. district judge rejected a lawsuit involving federal transit money and a controversial 2023 state law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions. Lawyers in Moody’s office filed a notice that is an initial step in asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a Sept. 27 ruling by U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian that sided with the Biden administration. [Source: The News Service of Florida]
What kind of disasters does FEMA cover? How to get disaster assistance after Hurricane Milton
Just over two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene left swaths of Florida's gulf coast and regions of other southeastern states underwater and without power and took hundreds of lives. Now, another major storm, Hurricane Milton, is approaching Florida's gulf coast, where many residents who are still recovering from Helene had to pause and evacuate. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Need to go to the hospital? Texas and Florida want to know your immigration status
State Sen. Victor Torres represents predominantly Hispanic Osceola County in central Florida. At Sunday Mass at his local church, immigrants often tell him they are scared to seek health care. “They say, ‘My mother is ill, or my kid is sick, but I don’t have insurance,’’’ the Democrat said in an interview. “And I tell them, ‘You cannot be turned away. Go to the hospital. Don’t wait until the last minute when it’s too late.’” [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Milton spares Daytona Beach factory that's a critical supplier of IV fluids
A Florida factory that makes IV fluids critical to hospitals nationwide will restart Friday morning after shutting down while Hurricane Milton tore through the state. B. Braun Medical's manufacturing site and distribution center in Daytona Beach were not seriously impacted by the hurricane, said company spokesperson Allison Longenhagen. [Source: U.S. News & World Report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Justices to hear workplace shooting case
The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to take up a battle about workers’ compensation insurance benefits for the general manager of an Orlando rental-car agency who was shot while on the job.
› Miami-Dade legislation seeks way to add major new airport
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava would have to detail within 90 days how to handle the Herculean task of creating another major Miami-Dade airport under legislation a committee faces this week.
› Southlands property goes on the market for $42.5 million
Southlands — a real estate gem among sporting ranches that's considered one of the top in the south — is on the market for $42.5 million.
› Trucking company in Tampa ceases operations, lays off over 100
Midwest Transport Inc., a trucking and logistics company that contracted with the United States Postal Service, has abruptly ceased operations.
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› Florida jobless claims increase
Florida had a nearly two-year high in unemployment claims during the first full week after Hurricane Helene hammered the state’s Gulf Coast and parts of North Florida.
› Foot Locker could pick St. Pete real estate by year-end
An incentive package to entice a Fortune 500 company to move to St. Petersburg has been approved by city officials.
› Things aren’t looking too sunny for Florida’s citrus crop
Florida’s citrus industry has been battered by two storms this season. It comes as the industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, including disease and weather.
› Bavaro’s Pizza owner Dan Bavaro on 15 years in business and why 'I will never take my foot off the gas'
The Zest Podcast celebrates Italian-American Heritage Month and National Pizza Month with a visit to Bavaro's Pizza in downtown Tampa. Owner Dan Bavaro shares lessons from his 15 years in the business of making Neapolitan-style pies.
"I want to just roll with it, but I can’t. You have to rethink where you live."
The worst of Hurricane Milton had passed the Tampa Bay area when David Fletcher, 48, heard eerie gurgling outside his door. Fletcher thought he’d be safe at The Standard at 2690 Apartments in Clearwater. The 16-acre complex of squat two-story walk-ups, which lie just northwest of the Bayside Bridge, was outside Pinellas County’s mandatory evacuation zone, the building’s property manager wrote to residents Tuesday.
Read more at the Tampa Bay Times