Final hurricane season forecast warns storms are coming soon
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an August update to its 2025 hurricane season outlook, slightly lowering its prediction for how many storms to expect. However, the forecast still calls for this year to have an above-average season, and conditions are aligning for more tropical activity as we enter the peak hurricane period. On Thursday, NOAA said it adjusted the range of named storms from 13 to 19 down to 13 to 18. There have been four named storms so far this year and no hurricanes. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and USA Today.
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» How strong will a Gulf hurricane get? Hidden hot water, river flow may be key
Federal government cancels $156M grant to help Floridians afford solar panels
The federal government has revoked a $156 million grant received by three Florida nonprofits to help lower-income residents afford solar panels. More than 800 Floridians had already applied for these funds, at least a quarter of which had been pre-qualified, said Duanne Andrade, executive director of the Solar and Energy Loan Fund, one of the nonprofits. Eligible applicants would have been able to get grants, subsidies or low-cost financing to help pay for solar panels. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
NSU names next leader of the Levan Center of Innovation
To lead the next chapter of its innovation hub that serves entrepreneurs across South Florida, Nova Southeastern University has appointed Michael Burtov, a serial entrepreneur and ecosystem leader, as executive director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation. He will also be NSU’s chief innovation officer. Burtov is the founder of Burtov.com, an innovation consultancy that has worked with more than 1,000 startups. More from Refresh Miami.
Seminole looks to boost gas tax after raising property taxes
Fresh from voting to hike property taxes, Seminole commissioners on Tuesday will consider adding a 5-cent tax on every gallon of gas sold in the county next year. The board also will look at raising its public service tax on water and electric bills in unincorporated areas from the current 4% to 10% to help pay for public safety and other day-to-day operations. Seminole — like nearly every other local government in Florida — faces stubborn inflation, soaring insurance costs, and increasing salaries for public safety officials. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Clearwater group wants sales of public land downtown put to voters
A community coalition formed earlier this year to counter the Church of Scientology’s attempt to purchase a public roadway in downtown Clearwater wants the City Council to seek voter approval for similar future transactions. In the proposed ordinance by the Save the Garden group, the City Council could only vacate a public right-of-way in the Downtown Clearwater community redevelopment area if it passed in a municipal or special referendum. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of August 8th
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Florida Dining
Popular rum bar from New York opens Caribbean restaurant at Miami Beach hotel
On New York’s Lower East Side, Las’ Lap is a popular rum bar, known for creative cocktails. At a Miami Beach hotel, it hopes to be even more. With a name inspired by the last hour of Carnival, Las’ Lap Miami is now open at the Daydrift Hotel in South Beach. It’s a restaurant with a patio along the Collins Canal, a rooftop bar, a haven for rum-based cocktails — and the first expansion for the brand, which opened in New York in 2018 and quickly became a scene.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.