March 29, 2024

NOAA predicts ‘near-normal' 2019 hurricane season — but that's still a lot of storms

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/24/2019

NOAA predicts ‘near-normal’ 2019 hurricane season — but that’s still a lot of storms

Hurricane experts are predicting a “near-normal” 2019 Atlantic hurricane season with up to 15 named storms. But don’t let “near-normal” lull you into a sense of complacency. One word for Floridians: Michael. Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season will be about average. The environmental agency released its 2019 seasonal forecast Thursday, calling for nine to 15 named storms and four to eight hurricanes, of which scientists think two to four will be major hurricanes. See the full announcment from NOAA and read more at the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.

NASA chief says planned lunar landing mission will bring the Space Coast to ‘another level’

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine unveiled Thursday a major piece of the agency’s accelerated efforts to return humans to the surface of the moon by 2024, highlighting the Space Coast’s future as a central hub for the planned moonshot. “This is a significant step in bringing the Space Coast to another level,” Bridenstine said. “And this administration is very committed to the long-term exploration of space in ways that I think are going to be magnificent for this area and the state of Florida in general.” [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Column: A hack, a phish — and money’s gone from your business. Insurance could’ve reduced risks

Cybercrime is on the rise, and large corporations are not the only target. One form of cybercrime is becoming increasingly common, and it’s having a direct and immediate financial impact on small business owners. This method starts with a hack, moves onto a phish, and then tens of thousands of dollars disappear in an instant. [Source: MIami Herald]

In some states, including Florida, 15% of the population collects Social Security

The first wave of baby boomers began reaching retirement age in 2011 impacting U.S. demographics dramatically. Two years earlier, no state population had more than 15% of social security retirees but that’s all changed. Last year, 14 states had a population made up of more than 15% retirees. Vermont, Maine and Florida had the highest proportion. [Source: Bloomberg]

Theme parks have more visitors than ever. It’s no surprise they have long lines, too

Florida’s theme parks saw a big jump in attendance in 2018, a fact that will come as a surprise to no one who stood in line for a roller coaster, the train to Hogwarts or a character meet-and-greet. In Florida, which gets more theme park visitors than any country in the world or any state in the U.S., 87.5 million people visited its eight biggest parks last year, the largest number on record. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› BBX Capital Corporation announces it will not proceed with merger with Bluegreen Vacations
BBX Capital Corporation announced that it has made a determination not to proceed with its previously announced merger which would have taken Bluegreen Vacations Corporation private. BBX Capital will continue to hold its approximately 90% interest in Bluegreen Vacations.

› Disney will pick up tab for workers to enroll at UCF
For the first time, Disney workers who want to get a free education can enroll at UCF, the state’s largest university and one that’s only a short drive away from Walt Disney World Resort. Disney and the University of Central Florida announced Thursday the Orlando school is the latest option for workers who may choose certain schools and programs to further their education paid upfront by Disney.

› Hollywood wanted everyone to pay for sewer work. Trouble is, that’d be illegal
For nearly two years, Hollywood officials had what they thought was the perfect plan to get the entire city off septic tanks to help prep for sea-level rise and redevelopment: Borrow the $320 million needed to install the missing sewer lines, then make everyone pay by raising rates. There’s just one very big hitch, Hollywood officials learned just days ago: It’s not legal.

› Yuengling might open a beer hotel next to its Tampa brewery
The Yuengling brewery has long offered tours to the public, but now 'America's Oldest Brewery' has plans to turn its Florida plant into a tourism hub that could include a beer garden and 150-room hotel.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

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