Thursday's Afternoon Update
Forecasters predict active hurricane season while system brews in Gulf
The official NOAA hurricane season forecast just released calls for an active hurricane season, with 10 to 16 named storms. Of those, five to nine could be hurricanes; one to four hurricanes could be "major" with sustained winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph). See the forecast from NOAA here. Also today, in the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters say chances are increasing for the first tropical weather system of the year. A mass of low pressure in the western Caribbean is given an 80 percent chance of becoming a subtropical or tropical depression by late Saturday. Statement from Gov. Scott: "State preparing for torrential rain, severe flooding this weekend." Also read more at the AP, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Ocala Star-Banner.
Visa among investors in YellowPepper's latest multimillion-dollar funding round
With the close of its Series D financing, Miami-based YellowPepper has raised another $12.5 million. The financial technology firm, which has garnered more than 60 clients in six countries since its founding in 2004, touted payments giant Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) as being among the investors in its latest funding round. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Florida census: Fruitland Park, Jacksonville led state in growth
Fruitland Park last year grew by more than a third of its population, making it the fastest-growing city, town or village in Florida, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. In pure numbers, Jacksonville's 11,000-resident increase was the most of any Florida city or town last year. More from the AP, the Florida Times-Union, and WJXT.
See also:
» Population up in Sarasota, Manatee counties
What effect will KLX sale have on Wellington’s economy?
The recent acquisition of a Wellington-based aerospace company has some wondering how the loss could affect the village’s economy. But officials are hopeful the effects will be minimal as KLX Inc. had a relatively small number of employees based in Wellington. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Miami-Dade on alert for disease-spreading mosquitoes as rainy season kicks into gear
Two years after the first Zika outbreak in the continental United States landed in South Florida, Miami-Dade County officials say they're in full-blown battle mode as this month's heavy rain kicks mosquito season into high gear. More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
Airbnb for horses?
The online platform called Staller.com, which launched in Florida a couple of years ago, has recently expanded into the Lower Hudson Valley where top equestrian events, such as the Old Salem Horse Shows and HITS in Saugerties, attract hundreds of competitors and their mounts.
» More from the USA Today Network.
End of an Era
Cee Bee’s Citrus Emporium
Science is close to -- if not a solution -- a variety of work-arounds that allow orange trees infected with greening to live for years. Some experiments are bearing especially exciting results. But it's too late for Cee Bee’s. After almost 100 years, the last commercial grove in Tampa Bay is closing.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.