BAR EXAM The University of Florida Levin College of Law now leads the rest of the Sunshine State’s law schools for students who passed the Florida Bar exam on their first try. The UF law school had a 90.6 percent passage rate. Florida State University’s rate was 87.4 percent; 85.1 percent of the University of Miami’s students passed; Stetson University’s rate was 77.9 percent; and Cooley Law School in Riverview had the lowest rate of 51.6 percent.
STUART BRIGHTLINE STATION In early September, the City of Stuart voted 3-2 to back out of a deal where Brightline, the high-speed rail connecting Orlando to Miami, would build a station near its downtown. Two weeks later, the Commission voted to reenter negotiations. They argued the terms of the deal were inadequate and would require the City to pick up all the costs for the station and associated amenities.
RIDESHARE EXPANSION inDrive, a ride-sharing service and global mobility platform, announced its expansion in Florida with the target of Tallahassee as its second U.S. market location. inDrive is known for its unique bid-based business model, allowing passengers and drivers to negotiate and agree on the price of each ride.
RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS Over $122 million has been awarded to small county governments through the Florida Department of Transportation’s Small County Outreach Program and the Small County Resurfacing Assistance Program. Thirty counties will benefit from the funds, a third of whom were affected by Hurricanes Debby or Idalia.
SUPPLY CHAIN GRANTS Five projects aimed at enhancing Florida’s supply chain and increasing storage for critical infrastructure received $18 million in funding. These are the first grants out of a total $100 million to be invested over a five-year period.
AQUACULTURE Following damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Florida Disaster Fund has granted $1 million to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida to help restore fishing and aquaculture infrastructure. The funding will enable rebuilding of fisheries. Additionally, short-term fishing and hunting licenses will be discounted to encourage outdoor activities and fishing in Florida’s waters.
DISNEY TICKETS Walt Disney World has raised prices on all annual passes by an average of 7 percent. There are four annual passes with prices starting at $469 going up to $1,549. And starting October 23rd, Walt Disney World and Disneyland premiered a new skip-the-line pass in very limited quantities. The “Lightning Lane Premier Pass” will cost park goers $137 to over $400 per day, depending on which park is visited and the number of visitors in the park. The “Lightening Lane” will be available for the most popular attractions at each park.