'Short fuse storms' are a major concern as Florida prepares for hurricane season
Heading into what’s expected to be another busy Atlantic hurricane season, forecasters and emergency managers said Wednesday improvements in forecasting mean the public will have more time and information than ever before to prepare. What they continue to dread are the short fuse storms that rapidly intensify. Scientists worry that as climate change warms the planet, these storms will become more frequent. More from WLRN and WUSF.
Business Beat - Week of May 17th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida jobless claims increase
The number of first-time unemployment claims filed in Florida last week was the highest total since January. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that estimated 7,051 jobless claims were filed in the state during the week that ended May 11, up from a revised count of 5,893 during the week that ended May 4. Nationally, an estimated 222,000 claims were filed last week, down 10,000 from the previous week. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Biochemical company develops nontoxic protectant spray to counter citrus greening
In Florida, the citrus industry has faced significant challenges due to citrus greening, a disease spread by a tiny foreign insect. The impact of this disease has been profound, with the state's orange production dropping from 148 million boxes in the 2005-2006 season to just over 15.8 million boxes in the 2022-2023 season. A breakthrough has come from Missouri-based biochemical company Elemental Enzymes. [Source: Fresh Plaza]
Drowning deaths are on the rise, according to CDC; a new Florida law could help
Greater access to swimming lessons is key in curbing the rise in unintentional drowning deaths as more than 4,500 people have drowned each year from 2020-2022, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A law Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month will give low-income families vouchers for swimming lessons. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› High hopes: Aviation exec sees South Florida travelers riding his electric air taxi service and new Zoom! airline
So you want to start an airline. How about two? That’s what Miami airline executive-entrepreneur Ed Wegel proposes to do as he orchestrates what he calls “the last rodeos” of a commercial aviation career that dates back to the 1980s. Wegel has plans to start a South Florida air taxi service using eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, and a Miami-based scheduled airline that would serve small cities in the Northeast and Midwest, as well as destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.
› What’s stalling Miami Beach road-raising projects? Complaints about parking, to start
In 2016, the Miami Beach City Commission voted to proceed with a major resiliency project on First Street, a low-lying area in a city deeply vulnerable to the effects of sea-level rise. But eight years later, and four years after officials approved a roadway redesign, construction has yet to begin.
› Tampa tech leader helps protect Florida Wildlife Corridor permanently with financing deal
Hundreds of acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor have been permanently protected by a partnership of conservationists and Tampa software magnate Arnie Bellini. A group of government and conservation groups concluded a financing plan on May 9, buying the land back from Bellini for permanent protection. The space will now be called the Bellini Preserve and become a public park.
› NBCUniversal technology hub leans heavily into Orlando themes
When the Golf Channel left Orlando in 2019, it left an empty space, literally. Since then, NBCUniversal has converted those studios and other spaces on Golf Channel Drive near Sand Lake and Kirkman roads into a sports and entertainment technology hub. The building recently finished a refurbishment that goes all-in on shout-outs to the City Beautiful.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Rogue Valley Microdevices to invest $70 million into Brevard County microchip plant
Rogue Valley Microdevices has decided to more than double its investment into its new Palm Bay semiconductor fabrication facility that's still under construction. Initially, President and CEO Jessica Gomez said the factory would represent a $25 million capital investment, but a game-changing decision upped that number.
› Melinda French Gates-backed organization shuts down in Miami
An organization focused on bringing more women into the technology industry is closing its doors in Miami and other cities. Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities announced it is disbanding after five years in operation. Headquartered in Chicago, the national initiative aimed to create pathways to bring more under represented groups into the largely white and male-dominated technology industry.
› Challenge to Manatee County wetland buffer rollback dies. Is new Florida law to blame?
A legal challenge to Manatee County’s controversial decision to reduce local wetland protections and allow more development on environmentally sensitive land has been dropped. At the suggestion of a developer interest group, commissioners voted 5-1 in October to eliminate the county’s extra layer of wetland protections, drawing heavy criticism from environmental advocates and hundreds of residents.
› MSC Cruises to bring a 2nd ship to Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral’s cruise ship plate is getting bigger with the announcement Thursday that MSC Cruises will bring in a second ship for the first time starting next year. MSC Grandiosa will begin seven-night Caribbean itineraries in December 2025 for the winter sailing season while MSC Seashore remains, but sailing short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings to Nassau and the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay.