Florida Trend Exclusive
Big Cypress: Wilderness trap
Big Cypress National Preserve sits smack-dab between Miami and Naples, its 727,000-plus acres of freshwater wetlands adjacent to Everglades National Park and almost equal in size to Rhode Island. Established in 1974, it marked the nation’s first national preserve — a new classification designed to meld ecological conservation with public recreation. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of November 1st
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
What to expect in Florida on Election Day
Once considered a pivotal swing state in presidential elections, Florida has proved reliably Republican in recent years. Election analysts will be closely watching turnout in Florida, which was pummeled by hurricanes Helene and Milton in the run-up to Election Day. [Source: AP]
Here's where Florida ranks among best states for jobs in 2024
Finding a job can be a lot of work, from updating a resume and applying for various roles to preparing for interviews and waiting to hear back. However, according to a new report, the process may be easier in some states. WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared all 50 U.S. states across several metrics related to job-market strength and economic health and ranked what it considers the best and worst states for jobs in 2024. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Jimmy Patronis wants Florida to elect Judges for business courts
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will push the Legislature next year to create dedicated courts for business matters. “We’re going to work with the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar to pursue statewide elected business courts,” Patronis said. “I want to have Judges on the bench to have an understanding and background of what it takes to do business law and have a better grasp of it.” [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› U.S. vows $390 million to build Miami-Dade County’s rail corridor
The Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit, part of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, moved closer to reality Tuesday with the Federal Transit Administration announcing that it could receive up to $389.5 million in federal grants.
› Tupperware navigates legal maze to finalize sale
Tupperware Brands Corp. edged closer to a sale of its business at a hearing this week in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Brendan Shannon agreed to approve the sale, but a handful of administrative hurdles remain before the iconic container company officially can change hands.
› Did JEA board violate Sunshine Law? Inspector general asks state attorney to decide
The city's inspector general is asking prosecutors to determine if JEA board members violated state Sunshine Law when they talked privately during the fast-moving switch from Jay Stowe to Vickie Cavey as the utility's CEO. Inspector General Matt Lascell released his report Wednesday after asking all JEA board members about their communications.
› Pinellas bus drivers became emergency responders amid hurricanes
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority served almost 570,000 riders in the days before and after hurricanes Helene and Milton. That count includes more than 100,000 riders moving to shelters before the storm — and hundreds of thousands of riders going from shelters to hospitals and dialysis centers and back in the storm’s immediate aftermath. It was the biggest hurricane-related test for the transit agency yet.
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› FWC seeks public input as it revises the permitting process for Florida's burrowing owl
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking public input on draft revisions to the Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for the Florida burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia floridana, to better protect the owls by streamlining its permit review process.
› Air France returns to Orlando airport with Paris flights
Air France is returning to Orlando for the first time since 2012. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced the airline will restart service from Orlando International Airport to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport beginning May 21. The flight will operate four times a week.
› Scientists examine how wastewater practices in Florida Keys impact water quality
Wastewater contains nutrients that can overfeed algae, leading to harmful algal blooms and pollution issues in the ocean and other waterways. A new study by researchers at Penn State tracked how these nutrients migrate from disposal sites in the Florida Keys, and the results have already informed wastewater practices in the region.
› Data startup Matia raises $10.5M to simplify AI-driven data management
At the heart of Miami’s tech scene, a data startup is quietly reshaping how companies handle their data. Matia, which is just emerging from stealth, today announced that it has raised $10.5 million in seed funding to take its ambitious ideas forward. Founded in 2023 by Benjamin Segal and his brother Geva, Matia focuses on an increasingly crucial issue for businesses today: managing data in a way that enables effective use in AI applications.