Everything you need to know, so far, about Hurricane Season 2024
Hurricane season is upon us, with a multitude of experts warning that this year’s will be very active. They’re urging the public to prepare. The season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Here’s an overview of what forecasters are saying, why the season looks rough, how to get ready, and how to save a bit of money while doing so. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of May 31st
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Next ‘Python Challenge' to take place in the Everglades set for mid-August
Florida Lt. Gov Jeanette Nuñez announced on Thursday that registration to participate in 2024 Florida Python Challenge has begun. This year’s challenge is scheduled to take place between August 9-19 in the Everglades. The annual event, which pays people bounties to capture Burmese Pythons, is organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District and has taken place since 2013. More from the Florida Phoenix and NBC Miami.
After Florida left voting system, tips about illegal voters plummeted
When Gov. Ron DeSantis opted last year to remove Florida from a multistate voter data-sharing agreement, advocates and elections officials feared it would become harder to detect illegal voting. New data shows they might be right. DeSantis’ voter fraud unit last year received 93% fewer referrals from other states about double-voters than it did the year before. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
The return of Florida's ‘pot daddy'
“Pot Daddy” is back to light up support for Amendment 3. Orlando attorney John Morgan in 2016 led a ballot drive to allow medical marijuana in Florida. So maybe it should be no surprise that on Wednesday he endorsed a November ballot initiative, Amendment 3, that would allow recreational use of marijuana. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Work on JTA Autonomous Innovation Center moving forward
Work is moving forward for Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Autonomous Innovation Center. JTA held a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday to celebrate the start of construction. The center is part of a plan to bring autonomous transit vehicles to Jacksonville as part of the Ultimate Urban Circulator project.
› ‘Bring it back’: Michael Bay wants Miami’s film industry to blow up again. This new program should help
Blockbuster filmmaker Michael Bay wants to see Miami’s movie and TV businesses booming like they did decades ago. A new county incentives program is expected to help that happen. In a one-minute video posted to X, Bay lauded Miami’s weather, sights and variety. All factored into his moving to the city in 2006, 11 years after his debut film, “Bad Boys,” hit theaters.
› Sarasota-Bradenton sees influx of college-educated residents
As people move around the country, a phenomenon called “brain drain” is plaguing some U.S. cities. That is to say, people with college educations are leaving certain areas. In two Gulf Coast metro areas, the opposite was true last year. In fact, Sarasota-Bradenton experienced the largest “brain gain” — or influx of college-educated residents — among metro areas around the country, the company reports.
› Boca Raton welcomes tech company that is working with IBM and promises to bring jobs
The city's rich history of attracting tech companies is paying off once again, drawing the software company Innovative Solutions to open a headquarters on West Palmetto Park Road in early May. The move is part of an expanding collaboration with IBM, the multinational technology giant that once commanded a vast campus south of Yamato Road. Innovative Solutions officials say the move will bring up to 100 new jobs to town by 2026.
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› DeSantis signs bills forcing Florida HOAs to allow hurricane hardening, more transparency
Your HOA may no longer prevent you from hardening your home against hurricanes, according to a new bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. But they can still tell you what color your hurricane shutters can be. Hurricane hardening means changing or upgrading elements of a building and its openings to make it more durable and "less susceptible to damage from extreme wind, flooding, or flying debris," according to an analysis of the bill.
› Wildfire season causes increased risk for drivers in Central Florida
Smoke from wildfires can impact drivers in the early morning hours. Trooper Migdalisis Garcia with the Florida Highway Patrol says drivers need to be extra cautious when they are out on the roads. One prominent reminder is that drivers should not use their high beams if they encounter smoky conditions. “It actually creates more of a reflection and it’s harder for you to see with your high beams on,” Garcia said.
› Report shows PortMiami’s economic impact topped $61 billion
Florida Ports Council recently published data regarding PortMiami’s economic impact, which was reported to be more than $61 billion. Authority recently released PortMiami’s annual economic impact has increased significantly to $61.4 billion, up from $41.4 billion in 2016, according to a new study conducted by Martin Associates.
› Finance lab expands at USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus
The finance lab at the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus is getting an upgrade this summer as the school prepares to open a second lab in Tampa. The upgrade in Sarasota will include adding 12 new Bloomberg Terminals and a new scrolling stock ticker among other improvements. The terminals are a Wall Street mainstay used by investors — and others — to access data and news from global financial markets and to place trades.