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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
New hurricane forecast cone will include inland areas, where damage can outstrip coasts
The “cone of uncertainty” produced by the National Hurricane Center to forecast the location and ferocity of a tropical storm is getting an update this year to include predictions for inland areas, where wind and flooding are sometimes more treacherous than damage to the coasts. The Miami-based hurricane center said Thursday on the social media platform X that the new, experimental forecast tool will be ready around Aug. 15, just before the traditional peak of the hurricane season that begins June 1. More from the AP, the Palm Beach Post, and the Orlando Sentinel.
Avelo Airlines accepted $230K in incentives but still pulled out of Melbourne market
The billboards stayed longer than the planes: Less than seven months after Avelo Airlines launched flights at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, the low-cost carrier ceased service after passenger counts fell short of expectations. But not before the Space Coast Office of Tourism spent about $180,000 in three markets to promote the airline's Melbourne-bound flights. That money came from Brevard County's 5% tourist development tax on hotel rooms, vacation rentals and other short-term rentals. More from Florida Today.
South Florida startups will test solutions for sargassum seaweed
Four startups have been tasked with finding sustainable solutions for sargassum, a type of seaweed that piles up on South Florida beaches during the summer. Those companies are the winners of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority's first Public Innovation Challenge. Created by the office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the nonprofit launched in 2023 with seed funding from Miami-Dade County, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin. More from Miami Inno.
Tampa airport CEO announces he will step down in 2025
Tampa International Airport Chief Executive Officer Joe Lopano received a standing ovation Thursday morning when his retirement was announced. When his current contract ends in April 2025, Lopano will leave the airport to spend time with his grandchildren, travel and go fishing, he said during a Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board meeting. “People talk about everything we’ve accomplished and they give me credit,” Lopano told the board and a crowd of dozens at the airport SkyCenter One boardroom. “But everything we do involves us as a team, and it has been a privilege to be a part of that.” More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Broward tourism industry looks for growth, higher visibility as rival destinations vie for business in 2024
Broward County hoteliers, restaurateurs and public officials all say they are looking forward to a third straight year of profitable visitor traffic in 2024. But they are still mindful that competition from elsewhere around the state and South Florida, as well as external factors such as inflation and even politics, requires proactive measures to keep the Greater Fort Lauderdale area fresh in the minds of tourists who have lots of choices for spending their travel dollars. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of February 2nd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Event
See a 7-foot-tall robot, shows and more at the Space Coast Strawberry Festival this weekend
Looking for a “berry” good time? Look no further. The Space Coast Strawberry Festival is back Saturday and Sunday in Viera, with live music, a craft village and more. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, there will be lots to do and check out.
» Read more from Click Orlando.
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