Florida braces for hurricane season with $850 million ‘catastrophe bond’ issuance
Forecasts of a ”potentially explosive” hurricane season and high operating costs continue to dog Florida’s home insurers. But there are positive signs for the state’s $76 billion market, which is quietly growing after a period of contraction and is starting to feel the benefits of new laws designed to help cut down on their costs. The weightiness of insurance has become more important as Florida’s population continues to grow by roughly 300,000 per year. More from Fortune and Yahoo Finance.
Business Beat - Week of May 3rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
‘Kind of a crisis’: Florida STD rates surpass pre-pandemic levels
The pandemic did what public health officials have struggled to do for the past 15 years — put a dent in the number of reported cases of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases in Florida. But in just two years, the combined rate of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis has rebounded and surpassed pre-pandemic levels, Florida Department of Health data shows. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Could a special session bring lawmakers back to Florida Capitol for abortion, immigration?
Gov. Ron DeSantis and some Republican lawmakers are talking about holding a special legislative session this month – possibly to enact another strict immigration law and add ballot proposals to November that might complicate the abortion access measure. “We’ll be getting involved in different ways,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Tampa, without offering specifics. More from the Gainesville Sun and the Tallahassee Democrat.
Florida credit unions now can take part in $34 billion-plus state deposit program
Credit unions in Florida on May 2 got the ability to grow their deposits, thanks to a newly signed law. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 989 at a ceremony Thursday in Jacksonville at VyStar Credit Union's headquarters. The bill allows credit unions to become qualified public depositories, which can accept deposits from state agencies and departments along with institutions like universities and colleges. More from WDAE and the Orlando Business Journal.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Businesses, fishermen excited about extended Gulf red snapper season in Florida
Florida's red snapper season in the Gulf will be the longest on record this year. Governor DeSantis announced this year's season will be 103 days -- up from 87 last year. The state says the longer season is due to the "data driven management" of the red snapper fishery on the Gulf Coast. They believe there are enough red snappers out there to support the extra fishing.
› Study offers $2.1B plan to make room for SpaceX, other rocket company fleets at Port Canaveral
More Space Coast rocket launches mean a crowded fleet of support ships are already pushing Port Canaveral’s limits. So the state commissioned a study that suggests a $2.1 billion solution to give companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin dedicated places to dock. Space Florida, the state’s aerospace agency, released Thursday the Florida Spaceport System Maritime Intermodal Transportation Study that’s been in the works for more than a year.
› Florida Supreme Court sides with Calusa residents in development fight
The Florida Supreme Court has denied an appeal from a Miami-Dade developer, effectively stopping plans to build 550 homes on 168 acres of land in the Calusa neighborhood, a former golf course that has fallen into disrepair. Some nearby homeowners and advocates who have been fighting to protect the property’s wildlife, including endangered species, say it’s a significant victory.
› UNF adds fintech programs to meet worker training demand from Jacksonville-area businesses
The University of North Florida will offer both graduate and undergraduate programs in fintech starting this fall, the school said Tuesday. University officials billed the debuts of the master’s degree in fintech through the Coggin College of Business and the undergraduate fintech concentration in the School of Computing as steps to build a talent pipeline connecting students to in-demand jobs.
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› In Seaquarium eviction, county prepping to take custody of park’s animals if needed
As an eviction fight ramps up, Miami-Dade County said Wednesday it will be ready to take custody of the sea lions, dolphins, birds and other animals belonging to the Miami Seaquarium. “The county is currently putting together a contingency plan in case we do have to care for the animals,” Melanie Spencer, an assistant county attorney, told a federal judge during a Wednesday afternoon hearing on a Seaquarium effort to block the eviction notice Miami-Dade issued two weeks ago.
› Records reveal JEA draft agreement for new CEO hire
An initial draft contract for hiring Vickie Cavey as JEA's top executive showed a three-year term and a $575,000 salary for her employment, but that contract did not come up during the April 15 special meeting when the board hired her as interim CEO. The board left up in the air how long she will serve in that role, what her compensation will be, and what plan the board will use to search for the next CEO of the agency that provides electric and water service to several hundred thousand customers.
› Officials: Sawfish swimming in circles have been dying less
Fish have been exhibiting erratic behavior over the last few months by swimming in circles and then dying. Now, officials are seeing a decreased amount of incidents. Researchers have been trying to figure out why the endangered small-tooth sawfish are exhibiting abnormal behavior and dying in unusual numbers in Florida waters.
› Noted Tampa investment banker, lawyer joins bitcoin company’s board
Longtime Tampa area lawyer and investment banking executive Marty Traber has joined the board of Tampa-based bitcoin mining company LM Funding America. Traber, who was previously on the board from 2015-2021, replaces Todd Zhang, who is retiring from the board, according to a statement.