SHARE:
Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
‘It has gone up a lot': Florida consumers worry about higher prices
If you look at where things were in April of last year, much of the economy was shut down and prices had dipped to their lowest point in years. But as the economy recovered, the consumer price index for all items shot up. Still, Steven Rondone, an economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says it’s too soon to tell if prices are going to stay up. “Because 2020 has been so different compared to other years … it’s really hard to mention if this April is going to be setting the new trend line or we’re just making up for 2020,” Rondone said. More from NBC Miami.
Only a sliver of South Florida’s homes are for sale — the smallest percentage ever
Here’s another way to look at how tight the housing market is in South Florida: Of all the homes in the area, less than a half percent are for sale or rent. That’s the smallest percentage ever, according to new data from Related ISG, a realty group in South Florida. A total of only 5,804 homes are available out of the 1.8 million that exist, Related ISG says. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
DeSantis signs controversial transgender athlete bill; legal challenges likely
After months of contentious debate, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a bill banning transgender females from participating in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports. At a bill signing event at the Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, DeSantis touted the ban as a way to protect the integrity of women’s and girls’ sports. The provision he signed into law would prohibit an athlete from competing in school-sponsored girls’ and women’s sports if the athlete was not assigned the female gender at birth. Elementary school athletes are not included in the ban. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
A Cocoa neighborhood comes together to celebrate — and shop — as Save a Lot reopens
When two grocery stores in the same part of Cocoa closed within a week of each other earlier this year, residents and city officials alike were concerned. Questions flowed into City Hall: What about the safety of those who walk or use scooters to get to a store in this low-income area, especially seniors? Where can they easily shop now? Can anyone out there help? More from Florida Today.
Thousands will descend on Miami for the world’s largest crypto conference. Is the hype real?
Miami is about to play host to what may be the largest cryptocurrency conference the world has ever seen. Thanks to a confluence of calendar, COVID and Miami’s soaring reputation as a tech hub, organizers are expecting as many as 50,000 to descend on the county for Bitcoin 2021. Headliners include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, legendary pro skater Tony Hawk and a cavalcade of crypto gurus. Kicking off Thursday, the event is already sold out. More from the Miami Herald.
Development Trends
Seminole looks at stronger tree protection rules
To restrict developers from clear-cutting every tree on a tract of land before erecting a subdivision of new homes or shopping centers, Seminole has started updating portions of its land development rules to provide broader arbor protections and protect tree canopies around the county. As part of that process, Seminole commissioners are considering hiring an urban forester who would be charged with recommending tree preservation conditions on rezoning requests, applications for land use changes and preliminary plans for new residential developments.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Profile
Storm shutter business is seeking opportunity in a 'plywood' town
First Coast Hurricane Shutters is preparing for the storm season by moving into a new headquarters and fabrication facility. The company that was formed by Brent Durban in 2019 bought a 9,500-square-foot facility for $525,000. The company previously operated out of Durban’s home in the St. Johns Bluff area. With sales of about $2 million last year, Durban wanted to find a place to store materials and do prefabrication work.
» Read more from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
In case you missed it:
