Will the 2025 hurricane season be bad? What early forecasts say
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season won't start for another three months, but if history is any indicator, it's probably a good idea to start preparing as early as possible in Florida. WeatherBell, a meteorological consulting firm that predicted an active 2024 hurricane season, has already put out its preliminary look at the 2025 hurricane season – and it has some good news. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be a bit less active compared to last year, similar to the 2018 season. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]
Federal rail, airport grants in Florida appear intact as cost-cutting drive unfolds
Millions in federal grants awarded to airports and rail operations in Florida during the presidency of Joe Biden seem to be intact after the Trump Administration launched its campaign to slash the cost of government, local officials said this week. There are multiple examples of rail and aviation grants for Florida, a state that was among the largest recipients of the previous administration’s transportation funding programs. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Lawmakers look to 'make it right' for wrongfully incarcerated
Florida is the only state with a wrongful incarceration compensation program that excludes people with prior felonies, a restriction that makes the vast majority of exonerees in the state ineligible for payments. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 91 people in Florida have been exonerated since 1989. Five of those exonerees have received compensation. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida’s elderly guardians operate with little oversight, ‘shocking’ state audit finds
Oversight performed by the state agency created to police Florida’s long-troubled professional guardians is so poor that one of the state’s top auditors likened it to allowing students to grade themselves. A stinging report from Florida auditors concluded last month that the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians had virtually no method for overseeing the 566 professional guardians registered with the state between July 2022 and January 2024, the audit’s time frame. [Source: Miami Herald]
Wildlife officials weigh possible bear hunt
Bear hunting has long been a controversial issue in Florida, but calls have increased for wildlife officials to approve the first hunt in a decade. Supporters say, in part, a hunt could help better manage bear populations as the animals interact with humans and point to a voter-approved ballot measure in November that enshrined hunting and fishing rights in the state Constitution. Opponents have argued that hunting doesn’t reduce human-bear interactions and say the state should use non-lethal options to address bear populations. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› How will Miami Beach cover $1B in resiliency projects? Higher water bills may be coming
Miami Beach residents could soon face substantial utility rate increases to fund more than $1 billion in infrastructure projects that officials say are essential for keeping the coastal city dry. Under a proposal from the city administration, water and sewer rates would increase by 9% and stormwater rates would rise by 22% this year, followed by additional hikes each year until 2030.
› Leon County, Tallahassee commissions split on timeline for comprehensive redevelopment plan
Tallahassee and Leon County commissioners were split in adding a few weeks to their timeline for additions to the "comprehensive plan" that lays out the blueprint for the next few decades of urban development throughout the area. As part of a joint workshop on the plan, however, the 11 commissioners present were torn between sticking to a March 11 policy discussion deadline or pushing talks back three or four weeks for feedback from constituents and other stakeholders.
› SeaWorld Orlando security guards seek to join union
Security guards employed by United Parks & Resorts Inc. at the company’s SeaWorld Orlando theme park have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize, according to publicly available NLRB case information. The petition, submitted Feb. 20, seeks to represent 60 security officers.
› Final Four will bring free concert, games, fun to Tampa for tournament week
With Tampa set to host the NCAA Women’s Final Four for a record fourth time April 4-6, the city aims to show its experience with a series of free tournament week events for fans. At a news conference with city, university and NCAA officials Tuesday, Tampa outlined its plans to host the tournament, including a free concert with what is promised to be a notable artist in Curtis Hixon Park on Saturday, April 5.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Miami-Dade County well prepared for a bird flu yet to arrive
Bird flu has raised concerns for many, as healthcare professionals in the county take preventive measures to ease worries. Although concerns have risen, Dr. Jyoti Somani, Jackson Health System’s medical director for infectious diseases and associate medical director, said that Miami-Dade County has not had any cases. Additionally, Jackson has taken the necessary steps in light of the bird flu, he said.
› HGTV declares this small Florida town as one of the most charming in America
Planning a weekend getaway in Florida but rather skip the crowded theme parks and active night life? HGTV recently put out a list of every "charming small town" in each state, with Florida's tucked away on the Gulf Coast. HGTV highlighted the small city of Crystal River as the state's most charming, claiming it draws visitors who enjoy boating, diving, fishing and eco-touring.
› Cocoa Beach hikes fees to operate vacation rentals
Cocoa Beach has nearly tripled the fees to operate a short-term vacation rental, making it the highest such cost of any municipality in Brevard County. The beachside city had found itself overwhelmed by vacation rentals with city officials, at one point, estimating that one in every five single-family homes might be in use as a vacation rental.
› Alachua County Commission approves raises for law enforcement, detention officers
The Alachua County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a raise for sworn law enforcement officers and certified detention officers and deputies. Alachua County Sherriff Chad Scott said the raise, which will increase the agency's starting salary from $53,000 to $55,000 per year, will help to alleviate the sheriff office's challenges of compression wages and retention.