Homebuyers still moving to 'affordable' Florida amid high rates, prices

Since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida has remained one of the top destinations for people to relocate and start a new chapter in their lives. A recent study from Redfin confirms that despite high rates and prices for homes, people are still looking to buy here in the Sunshine State. The housing market has cooled quite a bit during the second half of the year, due in part because of high mortgage rates, inflation and a less-than-stellar economy. These conditions are deterring many would-be homebuyers and sellers. But not all of them. More from WTSP and FOX 35 Orlando.

See also:
» Data shows Florida needs more than 500K new homes in 8 years

Florida gas prices likely to keep tumbling into Christmas

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Florida was down to $3.15 on Monday, and motorists could see more relief as they travel for the holidays. The $3.15 average was down from $3.57 a month ago, according to the AAA auto club. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement the average could be below $3 a gallon “before Christmas Day.” More from the News Service of Florida and  WFTV.

Florida legislators work on property insurance but warn there aren’t quick, easy fixes

Could Floridians see lower property insurance rates? Probably. Eventually. That was the testimony by Florida’s insurance regulator, who gave a tepid endorsement on Monday to Republican lawmakers’ latest plan to address Florida’s insurance crisis, the fourth in as many years. More from the Miami Herald and the AP.

Red states, blue states choose sides on Florida's education law

The legal battle over a Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation is pitting red states against blue states. Republican attorneys general of 14 states last week sought approval to file a brief supporting Florida in a fight about the new law. That came after Democratic attorneys general from 15 states and the District of Columbia this summer filed a brief supporting the bill’s challengers. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Crocodiles in Florida? They're making a comeback. Here's what you should know

Say the word crocodile and many people think of Australia, the Amazon or even those National Geographic specials showing huge reptiles ambushing wildebeests crossing rivers. But there are American crocodiles and there have been recent sightings in Sanibel and an eight-foot crocodile in Brevard County on Florida's East Coast. As development continues to expand in the Sunshine State, more sightings are likely. [Source: Florida Today]

Another celebration decades in the making!

At the recent 10-year celebration of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida in Orlando, an inaugural award was unveiled —The Robert D. Bridges “Elevating Children’s Health” Award. Fittingly, its first recipient was Robert D. Bridges, CPA, Executive Vice President, Chief Executive of Florida Operations, who will retire from Nemours Children’s at the end of 2022 after 24 years of service. The award will be bestowed annually to a community champion who shares Bridges’ vision and passion for pediatric well-being. [Sponsored report]

Special Advertising Section

Explore: Research at the University of Florida Explore engages readers in the journey of scientific discovery, research, scholarship and creativity at the University of Florida. We invite our readers along for the adventure as faculty and students pursue knowledge in the laboratory, in the field and in the studio.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Local entrepreneurs expand program to help Miami students find gigs today, prep for jobs of the future [Refresh Miami]
For Miami-based entrepreneur Matthew Mottola, the path to landing a job at Microsoft was far from as linear as you might expect. “I could not have gotten into Microsoft right out of school,” Mottola told Refresh Miami. Having gone to a public university in Massachusetts, Mottola said that his school did not appear on the drop-down list on Microsoft’s HR program. So how did Mottola get his foot in the door at one of the world’s largest tech companies? “I showed up and said ‘hey, I have five years of management experience,’” he explained. This experience spoke volumes.

› St. Petersburg fires three directors, one manager but won’t say why [Tampa Bay Times]
Three directors and one manager were fired from City Hall this month. The fired employees are: Alfred Wendler, real estate and property management director; Diana Rawleigh, pavement and traffic operations director; and, Blair Barnhardt, pavement and traffic manager. Nina Mahmoudi, the city’s marketing director of eight years, submitted her resignation Dec. 2, saying it was effective immediately. City spokeswoman Erica Riggins said the city does not comment on personnel matters.

› OptiView 360: A futuristic Central Florida venue showcasing technology and art [Orlando Sentinel]
It’s hard to describe the experience of visiting OptiView 360 without actually being there. Step into this Longwood venue and see cyborgs, giant flowers, orbs, art and immersive screens that light up and pulse to music. The space is never stagnant and always changing in what feels like a futuristic lounge. It’s one part venue and one part art gallery that’s designed for full immersion.

› Brevard employment market remains strong, with more balance between jobs, job-seekers [Florida Today]
Even with a relatively high inflation rate and a pullback in the national economy, Brevard County's job market remains strong. The local unemployment rate was 2.6% in October â?• the latest-available figure. That marked the ninth consecutive month of a jobless rate under 3%, including a record low of 2.2% in April. "I still would describe it as a very, very low rate," said CareerSource Brevard President Marci Murphy. "I feel like we still have labor shortages."

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Orlando airport frets fuel pinch as tanker trucks added, inbound jets carrying extra fuel [Orlando Sentinel]
With Orlando’s airport stirring national news about a pinch in fuel supply, officials said additional supplies are being brought in by truck and airlines are being told to keep their jet tanks as full as possible when inbound. Spokesperson Carolyn Fennell said Orlando International Airport “is not out of fuel, and fuel is being delivered after extended weather issues. "

› St. Petersburg small businesses asking you to shop local [CBS News]
The Florida Retail Federation projected more people than ever did their holiday shopping this Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. And moving forward, St. Pete businesses are just asking you to 'Find it in Florida'. "This year, it's been a little bit on the slower side," explained Alexis Conway whose family owns Shandy Style Boutique in St. Petersburg. Small family-owned businesses like this one say it's not always an easy sell.

› JPMorgan Chase commits $7.45 million to Miami-Dade’s affordable housing push [Miami Herald]
Banking giant JPMorgan Chase on Friday announced a commitment of $7.45 million to help increase the supply of climate-resilient affordable housing in Miami-Dade County, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. The grant money is part of JPMorgan’s national plan to spend $400 million by 2026 to close the wide gap in home affordability among people of color.

› Venice council to discuss resident challenge to land development rules [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Venice City Council will discuss a recommendation Tuesday from its outside counsel that the city reject a petition to place recall of the new land development regulations on the November 2023 ballot, because doing so would put the city in violation of state law. The citizen’s group Venice Unites started the push to recall the land development regulations -- technically ordinance 2022-15 because they felt a majority of the City Council discounted public testimony during hearings on the new land development regulations.