Floridians' IRS tax deadline pushed to May 1 due to hurricanes
There wasn't a lot of good news for the many Floridians affected last year by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which slammed into the state within weeks of each other, leaving widespread flooding and power outages, spawning tornadoes, destroying homes and buildings and causing damages well into the billions along with loss of life. It's not a lot, but it's something: your tax deadlines this year have been pushed back. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
2025 will likely be a ‘major’ seaweed year, experts say
You can expect a “major” year for seaweed, raising the chances that more will wash up on Florida beaches in 2025, experts say. Researchers at the University of South Florida used satellite imagery to determine monthly amounts of sargassum in the Atlantic Basin, and found that December had exceptional amounts of the seaweed. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida cancer care: Flexible approach
With a goal to make recovery from head and neck cancer surgeries quicker, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville has added a single-port robotic surgical system to help remove head and neck cancers. The system adds to its toolkit of robot-assisted surgeries for prostate, abdominal, colorectal, lung, thoracic, cardiovascular, gynecological and other malignancies, says Dr. Ron Landmann, chief of colon and rectal surgical oncology at Baptist MD Anderson. [Source: Florida Trend]
Feds propose keeping Florida manatees listed as ‘threatened' species
Federal wildlife officials Monday released a proposal that would continue to classify Florida manatees as a threatened species, after environmentalists argued they should be reclassified as endangered. Florida manatees for decades were considered endangered species, which can receive more protections than threatened species. But in 2017, federal officials reclassified Florida manatees as threatened. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida AG announces new tools to increase reports of human trafficking to law enforcement
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a new incentive that will train Florida truck drivers on how to spot and report human trafficking. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody traveled Tuesday afternoon to an I-75 rest stop in Ruskin to announce the "Highway Heroes" program and other new tools and incentives designed to increase reports of human trafficking to law enforcement. The Sunshine State's interstates and highways are commonly used to move victims, according to the attorney general. [Source: WTSP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Last hurricane season cost Tampa Bay billions. Here’s the breakdown.
Unlike past hurricane seasons, few areas of Tampa Bay went untouched by storms in 2024. Hurricane Debby dropped heavy rains, Helene pushed ashore deadly storm surge and Milton dealt a third, painful blow to the already water-bloated region. The storms are likely not the priciest on record for the state, but the collective cost of the 2024 hurricane season, when all is officially tabulated, will almost certainly be the highest on record in Tampa Bay.
› Brightline attendants serving line to Orlando vote to unionize
Onboard workers at Florida’s privately-owned high-speed passenger rail service Brightline voted Tuesday to join the Transport Workers Union of America, becoming the largest newly organized group of railroad workers nationwide in over 20 years, the union announced in a news release. About 100 onboard and lead attendants provide services to passengers traveling the line from Miami to Orlando, such as selling food and beverages. It is the first union formed by Brightline workers in Florida.
› Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix powerboat races not returning in 2025
One of Sarasota-Manatee's largest annual events has announced that it will not take place this year. Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, which features powerboat races along Lido Beach and a Pit Party in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot, will not return in 2025 but will instead "revisit opportunities in 2026," according to a press release.
› City of Jacksonville set to approve naming rights deal with Jaguars for football stadium
The Jaguars will have a new head coach next season but at least one name won't be changing at the football stadium. It will still be EverBank Stadium for the 2025 through 2027 seasons, according to legislation that will go to City Council for approval of the naming rights deal between the Jaguars and the Jacksonville-based EverBank. As has been the case since 2014, the city won't get any cut from the revenue the Jaguars will generate from the naming-rights agreement.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Tampa names new director for Housing and Community Development
The City of Tampa announced it has appointed a new director of Housing and Community Development, Jeffrey McKittrick. McKittrick comes from Pasco County, where he served as the assistant director of Housing and Community Development and previously oversaw redevelopment in Kingsport, Tennessee. There he worked on the agency’s homeless grants and redevelopment projects. He also sought to expedite housing applications for people without housing.
› Emcor Group buying Miller Electric Co. for $865 million
Emcor Group Inc. announced an agreement Jan. 14 to buy Jacksonville-based Miller Electric Co. for $865 million in cash. The Norwalk, Connecticut-based company said 97-year-old Miller will remain headquartered in Jacksonville when the deal is completed with its leadership in place. Emcor is a Fortune 500 company with projected 2024 revenue of $14.5 billion.
› Seminole sees spike in medical complex investments
An out-of-state investor bought two medical office complexes in Seminole County as the asset class grows in demand, according to experts. Lucia Hedke, a medical real estate broker with JLL who wasn't involved in these sales, said medical offices increasingly are attracting investors. "The health care sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by population increases, aging demographics and rising demand for quality care and improved access," she said.
› Gainesville awarded $11 million federal grant to fund new EV charging stations
The city of Gainesville has been awarded $11.65 million in grant funding through the federal Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced this month. The funds will enable the city to build 47 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the area.