Federal Lawsuit Challenges Downtown Orlando Ordinance

Three Orlando businesses that own seven downtown bars have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Orlando and Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, challenging the city’s after-midnight alcohol sales land-use permit ordinance.

Approved in March 2023, the ordinance requires certain businesses in the downtown entertainment area to pay for police protection between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on weekends.

The bar coalition argues that the cost of paying for police is “unconstitutional governmental overreach” and a financial burden, sometimes reaching more than $12,000 per month.

According to the lawsuit, of the 55 businesses affected, 23 reduced their occupancy, began selling food or other goods, or stopped alcohol sales at midnight to skirt the cost of hiring police per the ordinance.

Treated Wastewater Flowing into Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal

Treated wastewater has been flowing into the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway since Monday night after a subcontractor unintentionally drilled into a 54-inch pipe at Port Everglades. 

While the wastewater is treated and deemed non-hazardous by local officials, locals are concerned about the environmental impact, as treated water can still affect marine life and ecosystems. 

City crews are working to repair the pipe and mitigate environmental impacts. Signs are posted warning people to avoid the affected area.

The mayor said the contractor, Ricman Construction, is taking full responsibility for the subcontractor’s actions and will pay for the costs and expenses related to the drilling.

Miami Dolphins Owner ‘Nears’ Sale of Minority Stakes

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is in talks to sell separate minority stakes in the $8.1 billion NFL franchise and other assets to Ares Management and Joe Tsai.

The deal with Ares would include a 10% stake in the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix, and a portion of Ross’ 50% stake in the Miami Open tennis event.

Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, is in talks to buy a 3% stake in the team.

These would be the first private equity deals in the NFL since the league allowed select firms to invest in teams in August. Ares, which was approved by the league, is buying the maximum stake allowed.

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➤ Tallahassee: President Biden landed in the state capitol on Thursday and traveled to Perry to tour the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He was joined by Sen. Rick Scott, while Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference on hard-hit Anna Maria Island. (More)

➤ Statewide: Minimum wage in Florida went up a dollar this week, rising from $12 to $13 an hour for non-tipped employees and $9.98 an hour for tipped employees. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: A brain surgeon and researcher dean at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, will have his life story turned into a movie by Plan B Entertainment for Disney+. (See Photos)

➤ Orange County: A petition against Disney’s affordable housing project in Horizon West is gaining traction, with locals arguing it’s not the right location to build more than 1,000 new apartments. (See Video)

➤ Lake Worth Beach: A 14-year-old boy from Pompano Beach has been accused of killing a man who ran a Lake Worth brothel, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. (See Details)

➤ Miami: Legislators presented $168 million in new funds to Florida International University last week to create a cutting-edge medical facility on campus. (More)

➤ South Florida: Israel Defense Forces reservists gathering in Hollywood are preparing for combat again after Iran attacked Israel. The soldiers have already served combat tours in Gaza. (See Details)

➤ Miami Dolphins star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for the entire 2024 NFL season. It’s the second consecutive year Phillips has had his season cut short due to injury. (More)

➤ Florida State, UCF, and No. 8 Miami all have late start times for their Week 6 matchups on Saturday. Florida State will be heavy underdogs against No. 15 Clemson, while Miami is expected to dominate Cal. Florida faces in-state rival UCF. (More)

➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars are debuting their throwback “prowler” uniforms this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. (See Photos)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | PGA

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➤ Breeze Airways announced this week it will launch four new Florida routes this winter, including three to Orlando and one to Tampa. (See Routes)

➤ X-Golf West Palm Beach, the first of the franchise to open in Florida, offers simulated play on golf courses around the world in a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. (More)

➤ Florida marijuana firm Trulieve sued state GOP, accusing it of misleading voters with ads about Amendment 3, which would allow recreational marijuana. (More)

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➤ The Sunshine State ranks No. 11 among the 20 states with the highest gas taxes in the U.S. (See List)

➤ Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida donated more than 100,000 pounds of food to people recovering in Tampa Bay, the Big Bend, and Georgia following Hurricane Helene. (See Video)

➤ Orlando Science Center is one of America’s Absolute Best Science Museums, according to Google and TripAdvisor reviews. The hands-on museum welcomes an average of 670,000 annual visitors. (See List)

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Have you ever visited Fernandina Beach?

1. Yes
2. No
3. No, but I’d like to

Thursday’s Results:

Have you ever ordered food using Uber Eats?

1. Yes: 24.3%
2. No: 50%
3. No, but I’ve used another food delivery service: 25.7%

Where in Florida does the End of the Line mural tell a tale of local history with an outdoor painting of Isaac Trabue and a locomotive?

Show me the answer