Forecasters call for ‘near-average’ Atlantic hurricane season through September
The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season could stay “near-average” through September for the U.S., according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The forecast does not assess October through the end of November. October is often an active storm month. The analysis projects approximately 12 named storms through September. According to the National Hurricane Center, the average season between 1991 and 2020 had 10 storms through September, and 14 total. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Study eyed for property tax changes
Expect an economic impact study as a first step as discussions ramp up about the future of property taxes in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent weeks has called for cutting property taxes, while also criticizing spending by local governments. Meanwhile, lawmakers have proposed a series of measures that would ask voters in 2026 to expand the homestead property-tax exemption. But lawmakers and DeSantis this week have indicated that a final proposal might not emerge this year. They could approve a proposal during the 2026 legislative session in time to put it on the November 2026 ballot. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Homeowners looking to elevate their homes after flooding from last year's hurricanes
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is hosting a series of educational sessions to inform homeowners about Elevate Florida. The program is a first-of-its-kind, statewide residential mitigation program. If approved, the program may cover up to at least 75% of the cost to raise your home. [Source: WFTS]
DOGE cancels $28 million of Florida's federal office leases. See where.
Millions of dollars in federal office leases have been canceled, including three Central Florida spaces, according to the Department of Government Efficiency. The organization created by President Donald Trump published on its website all real estate leases it has canceled or declined to renew, with 29 of them in the Sunshine State. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Hemp industry supports regulation, but wants it to be fair
Panelists from the Florida hemp industry and business executives who interact with it offered insight on how best to protect consumers while also creating a level playing field at all levels of the industry, from seed to buyer. The group included farm owners, retailers and beverage industry executives, and each offered varying words of caution — from too much self-regulation of crops to kids being able to get their hands on potentially dangerous products containing THC. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Inflation again drove higher sales at Publix in 2024. But operating profit ticked down
Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. reported its 2024 results on Monday showing sales of $59.7 billion, a 4.6% increase from $57.1 billion in 2023. Comparable-store sales for the fiscal year ended Dec. 28 increased 2.9%, Publix said in a news release. Net earnings for the fiscal year ended Dec. 28 were $4.6 billion, compared with $4.3 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.6%.
› First look: 2025 Epcot flower and garden fest
If nothing else, the gray, sometimes rainy, often windy conditions on the first day of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival sure made the blooms pop. The 30th edition of the Walt Disney World event began Wednesday with many trademark attractions, including topiaries, flower towers, floating gardens, butterfly garden, Garden Rocks concerts and outdoor kitchens. But there’s also newness to be found in the beds, on menus and inside the theme park’s new CommuniCore Hall.
› JTA: Discrepancies in ridership numbers related to differences in reporting criteria
In response to a Jacksonville Transportation Authority board member demanding an explanation of what she described as discrepancies in the reporting of ridership numbers, the JTA staff issued a memo saying the organization is reporting its statistics correctly. In the memo, the JTA said the information provided to the board and to federal authorities differs but is accurate in both cases.
› Measles case confirmed in South Florida
A confirmed measles case at Miami Palmetto Senior High School has health officials on alert as the highly contagious virus spreads in several states. This is Florida’s first reported case this year. Measles cases are rising across the U.S., with Texas reporting 159 infections in an ongoing outbreak. Florida is now the 10th state affected.
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› Florida sends team to South Carolina to help fight wildfires
The Florida Forest Service is sending dozens of its workers to South Carolina to help fight ongoing wildfires, according to Florida Commissioner Wilton Simpson. Around 35 personnel from the Florida Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT), which specializes in managing large-scale and complex wildfires, has been deployed to help battle the wildfires and protect the community.
› Tom Brady is coming back to Hertz
Tom Brady is making another comeback. This time the football legend is not headed back to the huddle to quarterback a team but to a role he seems better suited for at his age, 47: selling used cars. Brady is once again working for Estero-based global car rental giant The Hertz Co. having been hired as a pitchman to promote Hertz Car Sales, the company’s used car division.
› South Florida business owners pushing back against anti-DEI trend
The federal government’s push to shut down Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, known as DEI, has also been impacting the private sector. If you go by the current political climate, you might think it’s risky for a business to spend money on a cause going against what may appear to be the trend, especially doing so publicly. But a growing number of small business owners in Miami are willing to take the risk.
› Sarasota's Climate Adaptation Center founder: Too soon to judge impact of NOAA cuts
The founder of the Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center said that it’s too soon to say how the firing of about 7% of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's staff will impact hurricane forecasting for the 2025 season and beyond. The highest profile service provided by NOAA involves forecasting the weather and tracking hurricanes but its varied roles also includes monitoring fisheries and and funding ecosystem restoration efforts.