https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/Florida money stories and editionshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-11-02/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-11-02/Old Florida Money newsletter editionMon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-30/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-30/Old Florida Money newsletter editionFri, 30 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-28/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-28/Old Florida Money newsletter editionWed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-26/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-26/Old Florida Money newsletter editionMon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-23/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-23/Old Florida Money newsletter editionFri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-21/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-21/Old Florida Money newsletter editionWed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-19/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-19/Old Florida Money newsletter editionMon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-16/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-16/Old Florida Money newsletter editionFri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-14/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-14/Old Florida Money newsletter editionWed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-12/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-12/Old Florida Money newsletter editionMon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-09/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-09/Old Florida Money newsletter editionFri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-07/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-07/Old Florida Money newsletter editionWed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-01/https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/edition/2026-10-01/Old Florida Money newsletter editionThu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/albritton-no-amendment-3-realtors-21-millionhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/albritton-no-amendment-3-realtors-21-millionBen Albritton voted for the property tax cut in June. Now he opposes it, while Realtor groups pay for the campaign to pass it.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/amendment-3-realtors-campaign-21-million-spenthttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/amendment-3-realtors-campaign-21-million-spentNearly all of the Realtors' campaign spending has gone to SGS Inc., a Gainesville firm that Orlando Weekly reports is owned by longtime GOP operative Patrick Bainter. Three committees fight the measure, and one was formed by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, CubaHeadlines reported.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/amendment-3-school-tax-13-districtshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/amendment-3-school-tax-13-districtsThe state’s own estimate shows Amendment 3 takes nothing off the school line of any county’s property tax bill, while counties, cities and special districts lose $4.9 billion in its first year (Florida EDR). On the same Nov. 3 ballot, at least 13 school boards, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach among them, ask voters to keep or add a 1 mill school tax, and Florida Realtors have written $19.5 million for the yes side (school board records; Division of Elections).Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/bezos-forbes-florida-residency-gravityhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/bezos-forbes-florida-residency-gravityForbes still ranks Jeff Bezos Florida’s No. 1, at about $370B on its Oct. 18 real-time mark. Blue Origin has asked the FAA to raise New Glenn launches at Cape Canaveral from 12 to 50 a year (public meeting Oct. 22, comments by Oct. 30), and on Oct. 16 it said it will add Space Coast launch pads and spend $330M on a production expansion (FAA; Reuters; Spaceflight Now). Behind him: Ellison, Peterffy, Griffin, Ross and Jaguars owner Shad Khan; Griffin has given Byron Donalds’ PAC $10M and Peterffy $1.2M (Division of Elections).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/boca-raton-adt-buyout-apollo-financinghttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/boca-raton-adt-buyout-apollo-financingThe Boca Raton home-alarm company agreed to sell itself for $10 a share in cash to Thrive Holdings, a holding company with more than 75 businesses. Funds run by Apollo affiliates have committed to lend the buyer money and invest in its parent; Apollo's funds sold their last ADT shares in May.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/boca-raton-mandarin-oriental-418m-foreclosurehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/boca-raton-mandarin-oriental-418m-foreclosureThe stalled condo tower carries the name of Mandarin Oriental, the luxury hotel brand, but may lose it. Its lender says it is owed nearly $418 million. If it wins, it gets paid before buyers who put down deposits.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-bankruptcy-490m-assured-muni-fundshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-bankruptcy-490m-assured-muni-fundsSeventeen Fortress-backed Brightline parent companies filed Chapter 11 in New Jersey on Sept. 24 over about $2.5 billion of holding-company debt; the company that runs the trains did not file. Judge Mark Edward Hall approved rescue financing of up to $257.7 million on an interim basis, with $190 million available now, and the final hearing is Oct. 29. The plan keeps muni bond principal in place but calls for deferred interest payments.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-bankruptcy-trains-run-258m-rescue-oct-29https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-bankruptcy-trains-run-258m-rescue-oct-29Brightline is Florida's private Miami-to-Orlando railroad. The company that runs its trains is not in bankruptcy and borrows the rescue loan, and about $4.4 billion of muni bonds sit behind it.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-tampa-bonds-no-haircut-first-eaglehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brightline-tampa-bonds-no-haircut-first-eagleObjections to Brightline’s bankruptcy financing are due Oct. 22, and the final hearing is Oct. 29. First Eagle, whose manager says par is preserved, marked its fund’s junior Tampa-backed bonds at 28 cents July 31.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brookfield-pembroke-lakes-mall-427m-to-112m-foreclosurehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/brookfield-pembroke-lakes-mall-427m-to-112m-foreclosureThe mall was appraised at $427 million when its $260 million loan closed in 2013, and at $112 million in April. Deutsche Bank, as trustee for bondholders, sued to foreclose and wants a receiver.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/bucs-raymond-james-tax-wellhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/bucs-raymond-james-tax-wellThe Buccaneers have floated covering one-third of a $1B Raymond James renovation, with the public paying the rest (Sports Business Journal and Pewter Report, citing the Tampa Bay Times). Tampa Sports Authority staff recommended Hussey Seating at $19.27M against a $30M seating budget, but the board’s Sept. 29 action was still unpublished as of Oct. 18 (TSA). Hillsborough adopted its budget Sept. 24. The recommended budget carries $83.7M for the stadium, and the adopted documents are not yet posted (county; Tampa Bay Times). The Bucs owe their lease decision by Jan. 31, 2027 (WUSF).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-geo-group-1m-after-950m-ice-salehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-geo-group-1m-after-950m-ice-saleThe Oct. 8 check to Donalds’ PAC came six days after GEO’s $950 million sale of a California ICE complex to Homeland Security. No record ties it to the sale, a state contract or vote.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-jolly-divest-call-optimaed-15-7mhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-jolly-divest-call-optimaed-15-7mFlorida picks a governor Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Democrat David Jolly wants Republican Byron Donalds to give up his family's interests in charter school companies if he wins. Erika Donalds, Byron's wife, runs those companies and says they are hers, not his.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-optimaed-15-7m-charter-school-moneyhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-optimaed-15-7m-charter-school-moneyA Collier County online charter school plans to pay about $15.7 million this school year, nearly all its money, to OptimaEd, the Naples company of Erika Donalds. Her husband, Byron Donalds, is the Republican running for governor, the office that signs the state budget behind part of that money.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-pac-kalshi-seminole-tribe-same-dayhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/byron-donalds-pac-kalshi-seminole-tribe-same-dayDonalds's PAC, a political committee that takes donations, got $500,000 from the tribe and $250,000 from Kalshi on Oct. 13. Five days earlier, the tribe backed New Jersey against Kalshi at the Supreme Court.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/carl-icahn-sunny-isles-endeavor-suit-755m-stakehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/carl-icahn-sunny-isles-endeavor-suit-755m-stakeEndeavor, the company behind UFC and WWE, wants billionaire Carl Icahn's Sunny Isles Beach company to give up any profit from its bets against Endeavor's buyout. Endeavor says the company broke rules for big shareholders; no court has ruled.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/crist-welch-stpete-war-chesthttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/crist-welch-stpete-war-chestSt. Pete Shines, the committee backing Charlie Crist for St. Petersburg mayor, is chaired by Michelle Todd Schorsch, who is married to Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch. From Sept. 12 to Oct. 9 it sent $299,754.90 of its $321,906.27 in spending to All Too Strategic and Extensive Enterprises, two firms state records list at the address Florida Politics gives for itself, which the committee also lists as its own (state records; Florida Politics; our arithmetic). In the week to Oct. 9, Shines raised $81,500 and Mayor Ken Welch’s committee raised nothing (state records; Florida Politics). Crist leads 53% to 32% in an Oct. 13 St. Pete Polls survey (Florida Politics). Early voting starts today, Oct. 19.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/destin-83m-guidry-350k-checkshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/destin-83m-guidry-350k-checksRobert J. Guidry’s LLCs bought the Norriego Point land for $7.9M in 2016 and 2017, and the state agreed to pay $83,326,520 for it. Division of Elections records show eight checks of $25,000 or more from his companies since February 2025, $100,000 of it this summer. Two went to the committee of Attorney General James Uthmeier, who sits by law on the trustees’ board that approved the deal.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/donalds-pac-big-sugar-gopac-jolly-matchhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/donalds-pac-big-sugar-gopac-jolly-matchFrom Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, 16 donors gave Byron Donalds’ PAC $100,000 or more each, $3,575,000 in all (Division of Elections; our sum). Then the state’s Oct. 9 matching-funds distribution sent Democrat David Jolly six times what it sent Donalds (Florida Department of State; our arithmetic).Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/donalds-pac-griffin-sports-betting-war-chesthttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/donalds-pac-griffin-sports-betting-war-chestThrough Oct. 9, Donalds’ PAC had spent $99.6M by our sum of state records, including $35M to the Republican Party of Florida in 11 payments ($4M on Oct. 5). With his campaign account he has spent $110.7M, which Florida Politics puts at “more than $110 million.” GEO Group and Fighting for Florida’s Families each gave the PAC $1M in the week ended Oct. 9. Polls reported Oct. 13 run from Donalds up 11 to a tie (Division of Elections; Florida Politics; Newsweek). The Seminole Tribe, which has given Donalds’ PAC $5.5M, is suing DraftKings, whose subsidiary gave the PAC $500,000.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/dr-phillips-center-350m-orange-hotel-taxhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/dr-phillips-center-350m-orange-hotel-taxOrange County commissioners voted 6-1 Oct. 19 to commit tourist-tax money, some of it over a decade. Hoteliers and the union Unite Here Local 737 asked them to slow down; the convention center got nothing.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/draftkings-robins-seminole-hard-rock-compact-1bhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/draftkings-robins-seminole-hard-rock-compact-1bThe Tribe paid Florida $1.04 billion last fiscal year under the compact that gives it the sole right to take sports bets. Its 72-page Broward complaint says DraftKings takes bets with no license, accuses CEO Jason Robins alone of racketeering, and alleges DraftKings secretly funded the failed court challenges to the compact, most recently joining one openly on Sept. 17. DraftKings says its prediction markets follow federal law and Pick6 is not sports betting.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/duke-energy-data-center-plan-staff-says-denyhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/duke-energy-data-center-plan-staff-says-denyA new Florida law says data centers and other giant power users must pay the full cost of serving them. In the law's first test, the state regulator's own experts say Duke has not shown its plan does that.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ellison-manalapan-assemble-macneil-lothttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ellison-manalapan-assemble-macneil-lotOracle’s Larry Ellison paid an MLS-reported $34.4M for the southern 2.15 acres at 1960 S. Ocean Blvd. It sits beside the estate and island parcel he bought together in 2022 on a recorded $173M entry, then a Florida record. As of Oct. 18 no deed has posted for either half of the split. WeatherTech’s David MacNeil took the northern slice for $32M and has spent $136.32M assembling three properties. Up the coast, Ellison has listed his Seminole Landing estate at a North Palm Beach record $165M.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ex-cia-official-palm-beach-homes-for-salehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ex-cia-official-palm-beach-homes-for-saleDavid J. Rush, a former senior federal official whose case the CIA referred to the FBI, Director John Ratcliffe says, pleaded guilty Oct. 6 to defrauding the government of about $194 million. He admits that a “highly classified” program he invented to buy South Florida real estate was a fake, and that about $102.55 million of it bought two Palm Beach houses, a Palm Beach lot and a Jupiter Island lot (Justice Department; plea papers; our sum). His plea deal hands the government each property or cash in its place. All four are listed for sale, two under contract, and The Real Deal reports broker Christian Angle is listing them on behalf of the federal government (The Real Deal; USA TODAY / Palm Beach Daily News).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/fisher-island-club-members-sue-association-over-64k-feehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/fisher-island-club-members-sue-association-over-64k-feeClub members who own no home on Fisher Island say the Fisher Island Community Association has no right to bill them a yearly fee for transportation and security. Jim Ferraro, an association board member, calls their move to federal court "a joke."Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/florida-state-mike-norvell-buyout-through-2031https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/florida-state-mike-norvell-buyout-through-2031The team had three wins and five losses this season, after two seasons without a bowl game, the postseason reward for enough wins. Reports put the public university's bill at about $47 million to $50 million, and no record yet says whose money pays it.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/fpl-nextera-robo-memo-virginia-eyes-onlyhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/fpl-nextera-robo-memo-virginia-eyes-onlyNobody has asked Virginia’s full commission to review the Oct. 8 ruling that lets parties read the 2021 “Robo Memo” about FPL and Florida politics only in person, eyes-only, at the companies’ lawyers’ offices (Virginia SCC docket). On Oct. 15 NextEra CEO John Ketchum pitched the Dominion deal in Richmond, and he and Dominion’s Ed Baine were not available to take reporters’ questions; WTVR says it has a partly redacted copy of the memo, more than 150 pages long, first leaked to Florida journalists (WTVR). Clean Virginia’s merger witness testified Oct. 16 that NextEra’s promises not to break the law are worth less than zero, citing violations NextEra acknowledged and the proposed $150 million investor settlement over its disclosures about its political activities (Virginia SCC). NextEra says its investigation found no credible evidence of illegal conduct (Virginia SCC motion).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/geo-group-boca-adelanto-ice-950mhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/geo-group-boca-adelanto-ice-950mGeorge Zoley’s company closed the $950 million sale to Homeland Security on Oct. 2 and expects about $705 million net. Its filings say about $678 million goes to redeem its 8.625% notes, and its new credit terms allow unlimited buybacks while leverage stays at or under 2.25 times. It still runs the complex for ICE; on Friday, Oct. 16, five California House Democrats who visited unannounced reported dirty showers and kitchens, and ICE calls condition claims false (GEO 8-K; LAist; KESQ; Hoodline).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/isaias-pensacola-destin-citizens-3-56b-who-payshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/isaias-pensacola-destin-citizens-3-56b-who-paysFlorida has asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration covering Public Assistance in 15 Panhandle counties and Individual Assistance in eight, Escambia among them; FEMA’s data still showed no approval on Oct. 18 (Executive Office of the Governor; Florida Division of Emergency Management; OpenFEMA). Escambia commissioners voted Oct. 15 to put AshBritt back on debris pickup, with Commissioner Steven Barry voting no, after Administrator Wes Moreno had cut the county to two haulers; the county’s repair bill is about $64 million, $54.87 million of it debris removal (WEAR-TV). Moody’s RMS now puts U.S. private insured losses at $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion, best estimate $3.5 billion (Moody’s; Artemis). Citizens had 9,052 policies and $3.56 billion of exposure in eight Panhandle coastal counties as of Aug. 31 (Citizens).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/jay-newman-sues-miami-beach-five-park-bridge-9-6mhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/jay-newman-sues-miami-beach-five-park-bridge-9-6mNewman, who spent 15 years fighting Argentina over its defaulted debt for Paul Singer's Elliott hedge fund, joined the tower's owners' association in suing. The tower's developers say buried power lines make the bridge unsafe to build as designed.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/jeff-greene-north-county-airport-30m-jet-terminalhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/jeff-greene-north-county-airport-30m-jet-terminalThe billionaire investor and 2018 candidate for governor offered $30 million for land beside Palm Beach County's North County airport, tied to a 50-year jet terminal lease. Commissioners voted 7-0 on Oct. 20 to open both to rival bids, and as of Nov. 1 nothing had been sold or leased.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ken-griffin-wynwood-1-1b-carnegie-mellon-ledgerhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/ken-griffin-wynwood-1-1b-carnegie-mellon-ledgerKen Griffin paid Moishe Mana a reported $1.1 billion for about 30 Wynwood acres with no outside debt or partners, closed Sept. 29 (Fox Business; Commercial Observer), and that land counts toward the $2 billion of his $3 billion Carnegie Mellon gift that will build a Wynwood campus (AP; Refresh Miami). On Oct. 7 he gave Baptist Health $25 million more, $75 million in all (Baptist Health South Florida). His Miami Beach helipad goes to the Planning Board Nov. 3 (Miami Herald).Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/larry-page-coconut-grove-california-billionaire-tax-votehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/larry-page-coconut-grove-california-billionaire-tax-voteCalifornia votes Tuesday on a one-time 5% tax on its billionaires' wealth, a tax Florida does not have. A UC Berkeley poll released Thursday has 42% of likely voters for it and 50% against.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/larry-page-coconut-grove-deeds-prop-40https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/larry-page-coconut-grove-deeds-prop-40Miami-Dade records show Coconut Grove deeds dated Dec. 26 to 29, 2025, to two revocable trusts. California’s Prop 40, on its Nov. 3 ballot, would tax billionaires living there Jan. 1, 2026, but not houses they hold directly or in a revocable trust.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/lennar-millrose-200m-home-sales-suithttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/lennar-millrose-200m-home-sales-suitMillrose Properties, the Miami land bank Lennar spun off in 2025, told investors it would “not, and will not, have any tenants.” A securities class action filed Oct. 9 in federal court in South Florida says that was misleading, and it rests on Hunterbrook Media’s report that Millrose bought more than 700 Lennar homes, an estimated $200 million or more, in about a month, including houses in Ocala and Wesley Chapel. Hunterbrook’s investment arm was short both companies’ stock. Millrose management described the purchases to Goldman Sachs as a rent-to-own pilot; Hunterbrook, in an Oct. 8 follow-up, says about 95% of the homes it matched were listed for ordinary rent. Lennar and Stuart Miller, whom the complaint calls Lennar’s CEO, are not defendants.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/miami-dade-sheriff-cordero-stutz-4-million-commissioner-bodyguardshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/miami-dade-sheriff-cordero-stutz-4-million-commissioner-bodyguardsSheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz says the money will help cover a budget gap she has taken to the state. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who still runs the county jails, plans to fill the job with jail officers, the Miami Herald reports.Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/moody-nixon-griffin-pajcic-super-pac-ad-warhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/moody-nixon-griffin-pajcic-super-pac-ad-warFederal filings show New Deal for All, which The New York Times reports is backed by 1986 Democratic governor nominee Steve Pajcic, spent about $3.1 million against Sen. Ashley Moody this month, while Stronger Safer Nation, a super PAC Ken Griffin gave $2.5 million, keeps spending against Angie Nixon (FEC; The New York Times; Reuters; Tampa Bay Times).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/naples-gulf-parcel-870000-in-1985-69-million-nowhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/naples-gulf-parcel-870000-in-1985-69-million-nowThe seller, a land trust, paid about $30 million for the Gulf-front property in 2022. A new house went up, and the trust just sold the house and land for more than twice that.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/nelson-peltz-wendys-take-private-1-4-billionhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/nelson-peltz-wendys-take-private-1-4-billionThe Palm Beach investor, who chaired Wendy's for 17 years, and his partners would pay cash for shares they do not own, taking the chain off the stock market. Blackwells Capital, a Wendy's shareholder, says the price dramatically undervalues the company.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/norman-braman-art-basel-miami-beach-rent-cut-500khttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/norman-braman-art-basel-miami-beach-rent-cut-500kNorman Braman, the billionaire auto dealer widely credited with bringing the fair to Miami Beach, told commissioners to send the city manager back for a better deal. The city will also pay the first $300,000 a year of the fair's police and fire costs through 2031.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/palm-beach-ham-and-cheese-house-105m-ask-contracthttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/palm-beach-ham-and-cheese-house-105m-ask-contractThe striped 1927 oceanfront landmark went under contract Oct. 20, less than two months after it was listed. Penny Antonini and her late husband, the industrialist Marion Antonini, paid about $16 million for it in 2013.Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/psc-west-palm-retreat-duke-data-center-votehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/psc-west-palm-retreat-duke-data-center-voteCommissioners Mike La Rosa and Bobby Payne blocked three July weekdays for a West Palm Beach retreat hosted by a GOPAC-tied group, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The commission says no regulated utility paid.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-owners-hillsborough-stadium-tax-campaign-moneyhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-owners-hillsborough-stadium-tax-campaign-moneyA group led by Patrick Zalupski, founder of the Jacksonville homebuilder Dream Finders Homes, owns the Rays. The news site Axios reports the owners and their companies gave to three commissioners. They vote Nov. 10 on the ballpark's sales tax.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-tampa-21m-community-benefits-4-2m-first-five-yearshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-tampa-21m-community-benefits-4-2m-first-five-yearsTampa owes up to $80 million toward public works at the Rays' new ballpark. A divided council has now approved the team's separate promise to the city, and only $4.2 million of it is fixed.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-zalupski-stadco-hillsborough-796mhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/rays-zalupski-stadco-hillsborough-796mTampa City Council deadlocked 3-3 on Thursday, Oct. 15, on asking a judge to approve up to $80 million in bonds for the city’s share of the Rays ballpark. Then Bill Carlson, absent with a stomach bug, joined virtually and it passed 4-3, with Lynn Hurtak, Charlie Miranda and Guido Maniscalco voting no (Tampa Bay Times; Florida Politics). The vote borrows nothing. Issuing bonds takes a separate council vote, the city attorney says Tampa is obligated for the $80 million either way, and the first $20 million payment is due in January (City of Tampa; Florida Politics). A binding vote on the community benefits deal is set for Oct. 29, per FOX 13. Meanwhile the Rays won Games 4 and 5 in Cleveland to lead the ALCS 3-2, with Game 6 at the Trop Monday night (MLB Stats API).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/realtors-18-million-amendment-3https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/realtors-18-million-amendment-3Seven Florida Realtors checks, Sept. 3 to 30, $19.5 million, are all of Vote Yes on 3’s money apart from $10.33 in bank interest (state records checked Oct. 13). Three committees oppose it, not two: No On 3. Protect Our Homes, chaired by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, has $201,000, all of it from Our Democracy, which brings the no side to $888,917.15 through Oct. 2, about 22 to 1 in money raised and about 19 to 1 in money spent (Division of Elections; our arithmetic). The unidentified A Better Florida now has a third WESH ad order on file. In Seminole, a legal threat from state Rep. Berny Jacques got links taken off the city’s website.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/salazar-donor-honduras-100000https://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/salazar-donor-honduras-100000Wellington businessman Lenir Pérez wrote a $100,000 check to her joint fundraising committee, federal filings show. Most of it went on to House Republicans' campaign arm.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/stephen-ross-mia-airport-hotel-240m-leasehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/stephen-ross-mia-airport-hotel-240m-leaseA venture of Related Companies, founded by billionaire Stephen Ross, and Fontainebleau Development, led by chief executive Jeffrey Soffer, won a 2023 lease for a Westin at Miami International Airport. The mayor now says the lease remains in effect, as the airport reviews what the developers say they spent.Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/stephen-ross-west-palm-hotel-26m-no-property-taxhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/stephen-ross-west-palm-hotel-26m-no-property-taxTwo West Palm Beach neighborhood groups sued Oct. 14 to void Palm Beach County’s 6-1 approval of a $26 million sale-leaseback, paid from county General Fund reserves, for a 400-room hotel Stephen Ross’s Related Ross would lease for up to 97 years without paying property tax (complaint; WPTV; The Real Deal). The suit says the item was added six days before the vote and its 715-page file was posted 90 minutes before the meeting; at the meeting the county attorney said the law requires only 24 hours’ notice, and Related says the hotel brings local jobs (complaint; WPTV; The Real Deal). As of Oct. 18 no hearing has been reported, and the county’s Oct. 20 agenda carries no item on the deal (Palm Beach County).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/trustees-72-6m-easements-carlton-ranchhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/trustees-72-6m-easements-carlton-ranchOn Sept. 29 the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved buying development rights while the owners keep their land. Our arithmetic on the state’s figures: about $6,700 an acre. A year earlier the same board approved $20.8M an acre for 4 acres in Destin, bought outright.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-hope-florida-10m-report-expungedhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-hope-florida-10m-report-expungedThe Oct. 7 appeals ruling ordering the Hope Florida grand jury report expunged is not final until the rehearing deadline passes Thursday, Oct. 22, and we found no report of a motion; the public case system does not open the court’s docket for the case (1st DCA opinion; Florida courts). The two-year campaign-finance charging deadlines the Florida Trident reads for the October 2024 checks began falling due Saturday, Oct. 17, and the last ones fall Oct. 28 and 29; no one has been charged (WLRN, Florida Trident; Division of Elections; our arithmetic). The Florida Trib counts more than $444,000 in public money paid to three private law firms hired to represent state officials in the fight, and state contract records show no new payments to them since Oct. 5 (Florida Trib; FACTS).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-kalshi-supreme-court-brief-seminole-compacthttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-kalshi-supreme-court-brief-seminole-compactFlorida was one of ten states not on the Oct. 7 brief asking the Supreme Court to decide whether states can police sports bets on prediction markets. James Uthmeier’s office declined to explain, Politico reported.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-sues-first-street-home-flood-scoreshttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/uthmeier-sues-first-street-home-flood-scoresFlorida's attorney general says First Street's scores call some homes major flood risks where federal flood maps show minimal hazard, and cost sellers sales. First Street has not answered, and no court has ruled.Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/vacchi-south-beach-condo-507m-loanhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/vacchi-south-beach-condo-507m-loanTerra and partners including Gianluca Vacchi’s GV Development bought nearly all of Bay Garden Manor deed by deed. An Elliott-backed lender has now made the construction loan; sales of 106 new condos start in 2027.Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/venetian-islands-record-48-5m-san-marco-salehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/venetian-islands-record-48-5m-san-marco-saleA couple who own a New York construction firm bought the San Marco Island lot in 2021, built a seven-bedroom spec house and sold it, furnished, to a trust. The Real Deal, citing unnamed sources, says the buyer is General Catalyst CEO Hemant Taneja (The Real Deal; Mansion Global via Haute Residence; Miami-Dade Property Appraiser).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/virginia-key-marina-lease-suntex-plans-can-changehttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/virginia-key-marina-lease-suntex-plans-can-changeMiami votes Tuesday on leasing two city marinas on Virginia Key for up to 75 years to a company half owned by Texas-based Suntex Marinas. Suntex's company has put about $3.8 million into the Yes side, and Rickenbacker Marina Corp, which runs one of them now, about $1.8 million into the No.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/virginia-key-marinas-suntex-referendum-moneyhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/story/virginia-key-marinas-suntex-referendum-moneyEarly voting opens today on Referendum 3, which would lease 27.62 acres of public waterfront off the Rickenbacker Causeway to a Suntex partnership at a $2.2 million minimum rent from a 2017 bid. City filings show Suntex has put $2.35 million into the Yes side and the incumbent marina has put $1.1 million into the No (City of Miami; Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections; WLRN; Political Cortadito).Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alphahttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alphaWeekly investing commentary. Every Monday in Old Florida Money.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alpha/xivhttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alpha/xivHedge funds dumped AI stocks. Demand held.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alpha/xiiihttps://www.oldfloridamoney.com/alpha/xiiiAI fell because hedge funds had to sellMon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT