More people leaving Florida than ever, but state continues to grow
As Florida continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country, more people are leaving the state than ever before — especially workers, according to a new report from the Florida Chamber Foundation. The 2024 Florida Migration Trends Report showed that while 637,000 people moved to Florida from other states in 2023, the state also lost 511,000 — its largest outflow of residents ever. Florida saw more people leave than any state except for California. More from WFLA and WEAR]
Florida and oranges have been a pair for decades. Now the industry has sour prospects
For decades it was the signature taste of Florida: orange juice from the state’s plentiful groves advertised to a thirsty nation as “your daily dose of sunshine”. But now another hyperactive hurricane season, paired with the dogged persistence of an untreatable tree disease known as greening, has left a once thriving citrus industry on life support. [Source: The Guardian]
Florida studies use of gold and silver bullion as legal tender
A state study will determine how gold and silver bullion can be used as legal tender in Florida, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced last week. Currently, gold and silver can be purchased as investment vehicles but cannot be used as money to buy goods and services. [Source: Miami Today]
Milton farm losses could top $600M
Agricultural production losses in Florida from Hurricane Milton could reach $642.7 million, pushing the state’s potential crop and livestock losses from three hurricanes this year to nearly $1 billion. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS, on Friday released a preliminary estimate of losses from Milton, which plowed into Sarasota County with 120 mph maximum sustained winds on Oct. 9, crossed the state and affected 55 counties. [Source: News Service of Florida]
EPA backs controversial pilot project to use radioactive material in Florida road project
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a controversial proposal that would lead to using phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of the phosphate industry, in a road project. The EPA on Friday issued a notice of approval for Mosaic Fertilizer, a subsidiary of The Mosaic Company, to move forward with the pilot road project on company property in Polk County. The possibility of using phosphogypsum in road projects has long drawn opposition from environmental groups, which have argued it could pose risks to people working on roads and to water quality. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Will Florida county send paramedic drone to treat your 911 emergency? What to know.
More than seven months after Manatee County launched a pilot program for a drone that can quickly respond to medical emergencies, 911 dispatchers have yet to use it. The program, which is a partnership between Manatee County government, Tampa General Hospital and Archer First Response Systems, aims to deploy a drone in situations where it could arrive ahead of EMS personnel and allow a caller to begin rendering aid.
› Jaguars are valuable but lag Jacksonville’s big companies
The Jacksonville Jaguars may be financial world beaters, once again making Forbes magazine’s annual list of most valuable global sports franchises. But the football team’s value pales in comparison to Jacksonville’s big public companies. Forbes estimates the Jaguars’ value at $4.6 billion, making it the 43rd most valuable sports franchise in the world.
› Pinellas aims to have most beaches, parks open before the new year
The reopening of Pinellas County parks and beaches has been slow moving since hurricanes Helene and Milton battered the coastline, and some areas will likely not be complete for several months. But most locations will reopen by January, the county said last week.
› ‘Time is our enemy’: Fort Lauderdale promised $200 million in park upgrades. 5 years later, residents still waiting.
Fort Lauderdale promised to give its parks a makeover to the tune of $200 million if residents agreed to foot the bill. Voters embraced the idea. But now, five years later, there’s not much to show for it. The city has only spent a fraction of the money, with most of the promised projects still stuck in the design phase.
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› New Glenn at it again: Blue Origin rocket sees more prelaunch testing from Cape Canaveral
Spectators watched throughout Saturday afternoon and into the night as Blue Origin's big new rocket, New Glenn, was once again spotted venting steam— an indication more testing was underway. After completing a possible wet dress rehearsal on Thursday, Blue Origin seemed to be taking what could have been the next step toward the inaugural launch of their New Glenn rocket − a hot fire.
› Former Winn-Dixie headquarters site sold for $36M
A group under a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and management company purchased the former Winn-Dixie headquarters and warehouse for $36.4 million from an affiliate of New York-based Zurich Alternative Asset Management, county records show.
› Pfizer to lay off 62 in Tampa
Global pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer is cutting 62 jobs at its Pfizer Connect facility in downtown Tampa. The company announced the cuts Dec. 20 in a letter to the state to meet federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification requirements. According to the letter, which refers to the layoffs as “colleague separation activity,” the cuts are permanent and expected to begin Feb. 24.
› How Orlando theme parks like Universal, Disney are tackling long wait times
Orlando’s theme parks are bustling with visitors at this time of year — and with the influx of crowds come long wait times for park entry and rides. Here’s the problem: Nobody likes waiting in line. Technologists at the major theme park companies are constantly devising two kinds of solutions.