May 19, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/28/2023

Data shows Florida's population older, becoming more diverse

According to recently-released data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida is becoming even more diverse as its population gets older. Florida is currently the third largest state, population-wise, in the U.S., behind California and Texas and has become the fastest-growing state. The vast majority of the 2022 population in Florida was non-Hispanic White with 11.6 million residents, with Hispanics the second-largest group with 6.035 million, an increase of over 300,000 in two years. [Source: The Center Square]

Property insurance fraud investigations and arrests are up but they’re still a drop in bucket

From double dipping — filing claims for the same damage to two different companies — to buying homeowner insurance for properties operating as assisted living facilities, there’s no end to schemes some policyholders, public adjusters, contractors and agents will employ for financial advantage. Fraud is one of several reasons that insurance rates in Florida have skyrocketed over the past five years. But even as the state increases its fraud-fighting resources and investigates more complaints each year, the number of arrests and convictions that result from those investigations is surprisingly low. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

2024 promises fewer competitive congressional races

Since the Tampa Bay Times began its congressional vulnerability rankings in the 2010 election cycle, we’ve seen a bunch of competitive contests for the U.S. House of Representatives. But now that the most recent round of redistricting has created a surplus of safe seats, fans of hot-and-heavy House races in the Sunshine State might be a bit disappointed over the next two years. That’s the takeaway from our first rankings of the 2024 campaign cycle — the eighth cycle we’ve undertaken this project. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Malaria alert issued in Florida. Why infectious mosquitoes have led to statewide concern

Five cases of malaria have been confirmed in Florida and Texas, the first time the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease has been locally acquired in the United States in 20 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. The four Florida cases, along with one in Texas, have been diagnosed over a period of two months, the agency said. More from Reuters, NPR, and the Miami Herald.

After years of inequality, Black farmers may finally get a license for medical marijuana in Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that may finally allow Black farmers to get involved in the medical marijuana industry, despite years of disrespect and frustration in the Black farmers community. The bill (HB 387) was originally crafted to allow physicians to use telehealth methods to renew medical marijuana certifications for qualified patients. But in the last week of the legislative session, the measure was amended and language was added to address the lingering issues surrounding the issuance of Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) licenses to Black farmers who had been litigants in the federal Pigford v. Glickman class action lawsuit. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Gritty Overtown getting big lift with $350 million housing, retail, office project
Construction has reached the top floor on a $350 million high-rise residential, retail and office complex in Overtown that will bring 578 much-needed apartments for senior citizens and 1,100 jobs. Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk, which is being developed by Swerdlow Group and Coastal Construction Group, is situated near a major public transit hub and Interstate 95. The transit access is crucial for the development intended for seniors with lower incomes seeking affordable housing.

› What will South Hillsborough growth bring? Some fear ‘chaos’
Plans for an 1,800-home development proposed for the outskirts of southern Hillsborough County include: a pedestrian and bicycle trail, an elementary school site, 180 affordable housing units and a public park. What it won’t include is a plan to generate jobs in close proximity. That’s no longer a county requirement. But, what nearby residents fear it will entail is more traffic for State Road 674 in the heart of the hamlet of Wimauma.

› Landowners get nearly $1 million for land taken to expand Legacy Trail
Two property owners together received almost $1 million from the federal government earlier this month as compensation for their property being taken for expansion of the popular Legacy Trail. The payments are tied to the last cases in play for one of two law firms representing landowners in lawsuits filed against the federal government seeking compensation for property seized in 2017 and later converted into the Legacy Trail for hiking and biking under the National Trails Act of 1983.

› Task force favors Orange County Convention Center expansion, four other proposals
A task force created to recommend how Orange County should spend hundreds of millions in future tourist-tax revenue will send five proposed projects forward, giving the highest marks to another convention center expansion and a plan to add seats and a roof to Camping World Stadium. The appointed board also gave a collective thumbs-up to an Amway Center renovation, a makeover of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts campus and UCF’s proposed sports village.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

Tags: Daily Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

FloridaCommerce responds to questions about management of Rebuild Florida program
FloridaCommerce responds to questions about management of Rebuild Florida program

Reporter Jennifer Titus sits down with FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly and Office of Long-Term Resiliency Director Justin Domer.

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Do you think recreational marijuana should be legal in Florida?

  • Yes, I'm in favor of legalizing marijuana
  • Absolutely not
  • I'm on the fence
  • Other (share thoughts in the comment section below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.