Trump wins back White House, Scott retains Senate seat
Democratic hopes of flipping Florida’s U.S. Senate seat and clawing back enough districts to end the Republican supermajority in Tallahassee were dashed Tuesday, as the state solidified its status as a red bastion. Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott easily defeated former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to win a second term Tuesday, and he will now look toward running for Senate leadership.Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the AP, and the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida voters reject measures to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana
Florida voters rejected ballot measures Tuesday to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana, handing victories to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and solidifying the state’s new reputation as a conservative stronghold. DeSantis used state resources and campaigned heavily against each issue, telling voters that whether they were for or against marijuana or abortion rights, the measures were flawed, poorly worded and would likely never be repealed if enshrined in the state constitution. [Source: AP]
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» Results for all 6 Florida 2024 constitutional amendments, explained
Rafael to hit Cuba as a hurricane and bring heavy rain to Florida
Tropical Storm Rafael is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday, making landfall over Cuba before moving into the Gulf of Mexico later this week, the National Hurricane Center said. As Rafael moves north, it is expected to bring rain to Florida and parts of the southeastern U.S. on a track toward the U.S. Gulf coast. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
National insurers report multibillion-dollar hurricane losses
More large national insurance carriers have released figures of the expected financial impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton, and many face steep losses despite significantly cutting back their business in Florida in recent years. USAA, Liberty Mutual and Chubb reported nearly $2 billion in combined losses from Helene last quarter and estimate an additional $868 million in losses from Milton this quarter, according to the latest figures. Some estimates place insured losses from Milton at up to $50 billion. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Environmental groups tell federal court to uphold Florida wetlands permitting decision
Environmental groups Friday urged a federal appeals court to uphold a district judge’s ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2020 improperly shifted permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, in a February ruling, found that the shift violated the Endangered Species Act. He vacated the EPA’s 2020 decision and gave the permitting authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Florida and the federal government appealed. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fort Lauderdale firm inks deal to distribute marijuana in Germany
Flora Growth entered into a supply agreement with a subsidiary of Curaleaf so it can supply medicinal marijuana products to the German market. Fort Lauderdale-based Flora Growth is partnering with Northern Green Canada Inc., according to an agreement signed Oct. 31. All of the cannabis products distributed by Flora Growth in Germany must be used for medicinal purposes.
› Study links volume of water released from Caloosahatchee River to expansion of red tide
Expansion of red tide blooms from Estero Bay in Lee County to northern Sarasota Bay can be directly linked to the volume of nitrogen-rich water released from rivers following hurricanes, according to a new study published in the Florida Scientist, a peer-reviewed journal.
› This famous Colombian hot spot just opened its first U.S. location in Miami Beach
Over the past 40 years, the lively restaurant Andrés Carne de Res has become an institution across Colombia, from Chia and Cartagena to Bogota and Medellin. Now, the hot spot with the party-all-night vibe has opened its first location in the United States in Miami Beach.
› Orange County's highest-paid government employee is not an elected official — and may surprise you
Orange County government's highest-paid employee is neither its mayor, county administrator or county attorney, according to data provided by the county. Instead, that distinction goes to its medical examiner. For more than 8,403 employees, the average hourly pay in Orange County government was $27.43.
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› What’s being built there? New Fort Lauderdale condo building will offer yacht-inspired luxury living
“Riva Residenze” is being dubbed the first-ever yacht-branded residence. The 20-story development features 36 private homes. Riva is an Italian brand of yachts, with an international reputation, and the homes will be reminiscent of luxury sailing, said Peter Jago, the managing director of GCF Development.
› FWC warns boaters to remain cautious as manatees trek to warmer waters for the winter
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking boaters to remain aware of the state’s beloved manatees as they begin their seasonal trek to warmer spring waters for the winter. Celebrating November as Manatee Awareness Month, Michelle Pasawicz, FWC’s manatee management program coordinator, said manatees need to be in waters warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to survive.
› Fort Myers' The Club at Renaissance to get multimillion dollar upgrade
Concert Golf Partners, an Orlando company that recently bought the Golf Club of the Everglades in Naples, is about to begin a major renovation at one of its other local courses. The company is planning a multimillion dollar upgrade to the clubhouse at The Club at Renaissance, the private golf and country club in Fort Myers.
› Northeast Florida's hottest housing markets
Neptune Beach is the hottest housing market in Northeast Florida. ZIP code 32266 stretches from the Intracoastal Waterway to the shores of Neptune Beach, sandwiched between Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach. Proximity to the ocean is a driving factor in home sales, leaving those waterfront ZIPs essentially unaffected by market factors like days on the market.