March 29, 2024

Tuesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/18/2022

Housing, rent and electric prices up big in Florida

Florida has long been known as a more affordable place to live than many parts of the country, with no state income tax, lower property taxes and a cheaper overall housing stock. That is starting to change, though, as housing prices have escalated rapidly, along with apartment rents, home insurance premiums and electric rates. Hurricane Ian is expected to make the problem even worse, adding to the housing pinch and sky-high insurance rates. More from the  Sarasota Herald-Tribuneand Insurance News Net

Florida Trend Extra 
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, challenger Rep. Val Demings face off in Tuesday debate

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democrat U.S. Rep. Val Demings will hold their only statewide, televised debate tonight at 7 p.m. Florida Trend is a member of the non-partisan coalition of partners sponsoring the event. “Decision 2022: Before You Vote” will air in Florida’s 10 major media markets and be streamed online at FloridaTrend.com/Decision2022.

St. Pete Pier is among best urban designs in the world, says Urban Land Institutes

The St. Pete Pier is one of six developments from around the world, and two in the U.S., that have been awarded the top honor recognizing the best new urban designs. The Urban Land Institute on Monday announced the winners of its 2022 Global Awards for Excellence. The other winners are Anken Alley in Shanghai, China; Enabling Village in Singapore; Essex Crossing in New York City; MÉCA in Bordeaux, France and Norblin Factory in Warsaw, Poland. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

More than 600,000 mail-in ballots cast

The number of mail-in ballots submitted for the Nov, 8 general election has topped 600,000. As of Monday morning, 602,949 ballots had been cast, up from 472,137 on Friday, according to data posted on the state Division of Elections website. Nearly 3.6 million additional ballots had been sent to voters but not returned. Democrats continue to have an edge over Republicans in ballots cast. [Source: ews Service of Florida]

Orlando theme parks saw attendance upticks in 2021

Attendance rebounded significantly at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld theme parks in 2021, according to the annual report released by TEA/AECOM. The figures compare last year’s trends with pandemic-hampered 2020, which experienced monthslong shutdowns and various travel restrictions. While attractions attendance was up 72% globally, the U.S. figures went up 146% over 2020, the first year of widespread COVID conditions and operational interruptions, according to the report. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Isabella Maria Lozano wants a shot at the big leagues — just not the way most people may think.

Attendance rebounded significantly at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld theme parks in 2021, according to the annual report released by TEA/AECOM. The figures compare last year’s trends with pandemic-hampered 2020, which experienced monthslong shutdowns and various travel restrictions. While attractions attendance was up 72% globally, the U.S. figures went up 146% over 2020, the first year of widespread COVID conditions and operational interruptions, according to the report. [Sponsored report]

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Mention ImageExplore: 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:

› Skyrocketing rent threatens viability of Northeast Florida restaurants and small businesses
Just like residential spaces, commercial real estate values have been increasing over the last few years — making some of Jacksonville’s most beloved small businesses feel the economic pressure. For restaurants like Southern Roots Filling Station, a potential rent hike led to an increase in community support.

› Port Canaveral has record-setting budget, rebounds from Hurricane Ian impacts
Port Canaveral started its 2022-23 fiscal year with a record-setting budget plan, after ending its 2021-22 fiscal year with a cruise-disrupting hurricane. Port commissioners unanimously approved a $153.96 million budget for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The port also projects a total of $76.76 million in combined profits and government capital grants for the current budget year.

› Cross-Bay ferry between St. Petersburg and Tampa returns
The Cross-Bay Ferry begins its sixth season sailing across Tampa Bay on Wednesday. The service, linking the downtowns Tampa and St. Petersburg, is coming off its most successful season. It attracted 62,130 riders from October 2021 to May 2022, a jump of 10,000 annual passengers. This year the ferry will run add an additional month of service and an expanded daily schedule that includes later evening runs.

› Dassault Falcon Jet announces plan to create 400 new jobs at Melbourne airport facility
Dassault Falcon Jet has announced plans to create 400 new jobs and build a $115 million aviation maintenance facility off Apollo Boulevard at Melbourne Orlando International Airport. The plan was previously labeled the secretive "Project Vista," a code name assigned by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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