Florida citrus industry ends growing season with lowest production in a century
Hammered by hurricanes and citrus greening disease, Florida's citrus industry ended the 2024-2025 growing season with the lowest production in more than a century, according to numbers released Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The final total for orange production increased slightly from a June estimate. But orange production in the 2024-2025 season was down 32.7 percent from the 2023-2024 season. Grapefruit production was down 27.4 percent, while tangerines and tangelos were down 11 percent. [Source: CBS Miami]
Tropical trouble could be brewing around Florida, hurricane forecasters say
Another potential tropical disturbance popped up on the National Hurricane Center's tracking chart on Saturday, July 12. For those who watch every potential storm closely, this initial map looks a lot like the first one that popped up for Tropical Storm Chantal. The possible development area swoops from the Atlantic to the Gulf across much of Florida, but this time the system is moving toward the Gulf. [Source: USA Today]
Gas prices have plunged by double digits in Florida. See cheapest in your area
Gas prices are down again in Florida. A week after a double-digit increase, drivers will find a double-digit decrease. As of Monday, July 14, the cost of gas is down by 14 cents a gallon in the state. Most areas in Florida are under $3 a gallon to start the week. “Florida drivers may feel some relief from the recent downturn at the pump, but that break may not last much longer,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesperson. North Florida remains the cheapest to get gas in the state. Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas. [Source: Miami Herald]
Report: Tariffs to add $10K to cost of Florida house, $7K to cars
The latest round of tariff talk from the Trump Administration is causing more agitation among Florida fiscal analysts, with worries about price increases from cars to construction and fruit to fish. Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, looked at the latest tariffs and concluded that the intent might be good, but the results less so. [Source: Business Observer]
Before it was Alligator Alcatraz, this airstrip sparked fury and changed America’s landscape
The land where Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration quickly erected the new immigrant detention center, which is expected to eventually hold 3,000 or more people, has been deeply controversial since the 1960s. The David-and-Goliath backstory of this land is rooted in dreams of the biggest jetport on the planet and a new city in the middle of the Everglades. Bipartisan outrage over those dreams (or nightmares) united an odd cross section of Floridians: birder watchers, hunters, native tribes, blue-collar plumbers and Republican advisers. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FAT Village’s big makeover: $500 million project on rise in Fort Lauderdale
FAT Village is not dead. Far from it. The long-awaited project — expected to make downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village even more hip and trendy — is on the rise in the same spot where spirited and cocktailed crowds once strolled through a muraled warehouse district lit up with funky art galleries, good food and live music. Once built, the new FAT (Food Art Technology) Village will transform the former FAT Village Arts District into a dynamic destination teeming with apartments, bars, restaurants, shops, offices, art studios and galleries.
› The Runway at FAU unveils its Venture Class 15
The Venture Program provides promising startups in South Florida with a year-long program that offers resources from FAU’s Innovation and Business Development pipeline, entrepreneurial instruction, structured team-based mentoring, networking, marketing and capital-raising assistance, co-working space, events, intern support and other vital programs.
› Pasco boom has meant construction projects galore
Pasco County has been expanding for decades, and it’s no secret the boom is probably here to stay. That will mean a continuing flow of construction project proposals for new factories, shopping plazas, strip malls and subdivisions. With several projects nearing completion, here are some of the most notable and furthest progressed.
› Space Coast looks to reap benefits of spaceport change
The nation’s spaceports can now take advantage of tax-free bonds for the first time after Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” last week, and the Space Coast looks to benefit. U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody on Friday detailed what it means for Florida from the headquarters of Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority.
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› Osceola approved $125M bond for performing arts center. It won’t be enough.
After naming the future performing arts center in NeoCity as a top priority, Osceola Commissioners are moving to issue $125 million in bonds backed by the county’s Tourist Development Tax to make the project a reality. But County Manager Don Fisher said the county will have to embark on a capital campaign to finance the project, which will be the centerpiece of the long-awaited NeoCity city center.
› Hyde Park Golf Club nearing 100 years: Jacksonville facility has stood the test of time
If a golf course can be compared to a fictional character, the Hyde Park Golf Club is the Rocky Balboa of the First Coast. The Westside facility keeps punching, gets knocked down, pulls itself from the canvas and bellows to the Golf Gods, "Give me your best!" Hyde Park has endured almost every financial and agronomic challenge a golf course can face. Not only is it still standing but it's on the verge of celebrating its 100th year.
› Cramped cells and costly solutions: inside Sarasota's jail overcrowding crisis
Sarasota County Jail is overcrowded, leading to alternative programs like the 120-day Restore program. Jail overcrowding is a national issue, driven by pretrial detention and cash bail, according to experts. A proposed $700 million jail expansion is planned, with a referendum vote scheduled for November 2026.
› Brevard approves $13 million muck dredging plan for Grand Canal near Satellite Beach
County commissioners on July 8 unanimously approved a plan that would see muck dredging in the Grand Canal continue, a project that has cost millions of dollars and lasted years. The remaining cost of the muck dredging after this week's decision would be just over $13 million and expends the remaining $5.1 million state funds that could otherwise expire.