Proposal seeks to eliminate Florida's real estate commission, sparking concerns
A new bill is making waves in Florida’s real estate sector, proposing the elimination of the commission that oversees the state’s realtors. If passed, the legislation could significantly impact anyone buying or selling a home in the Sunshine State. For many Floridians, a home is the largest investment they’ll ever make. Every sale in the state is typically overseen by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), which regulates realtors, brokers, and even the schools that train them. However, House Bill 1461 is now before the state legislature and proposes eliminating FREC completely. [Source: WFLA]
Federal judge says local police must follow order to halt enforcement of Florida immigration law
A federal judge told attorneys for the state of Florida on Tuesday that an order freezing the enforcement of a new state immigration law absolutely did apply to all of the state’s local law enforcement agencies, despite a recent letter to the contrary from the state’s attorney general. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams said during a hearing in Miami that she planned to issue a preliminary injunction against a state statute that makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented migrants to enter Florida by eluding immigration officials. [Source: AP]
How much stinky seaweed will we see this year? What Florida forecast means for your health
Researchers who track seaweed blooms expect 2025 to be another “major sargassum year” for the Atlantic Basin — but how much seaweed washes ashore on Florida beaches depends on winds and currents. In the ocean, seaweed offers an important habitat for marine life. But when seaweed washes ashore, the rotten egg smell can put a damper on beach days. Washed-up seaweed can also cause health problems for people with chronic respiratory conditions. [Source: Miami Herald]
Alzheimer's disease: The good, the bad and the ugly in Florida
With its aging population, Florida historically is considered second among states for incidences of the illness that is costly for the health care system and leads to considerable emotional and financial stress among family caregivers. Health care advocacy organizations at the national level on down to community-based support groups collectively say communities need more help to handle increasing incidence of the disease and the impact to families. [Source: Naples Daily News]
Water fluoride ban heading to DeSantis
The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and take aim at labeling of plant-based products as milk, meat and eggs. The bill came amid debates in cities and counties across the state about ending the decades-old practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies to improve dental health. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Out-of-state movers cool on Central Florida as housing costs, insurance rise
Out-of-state homebuyers aren’t flocking to Florida like they used to. Central Florida has seen less in-migration from other states, with real estate company Redfin reporting the state's homebuyer demand is being diminished by rising costs, natural disasters and economic uncertainty. Net domestic migration to Orlando was 779 in 2024, down over 15,000 from the previous year, according to the report.
› Jacksonville expo showcases builders' jobs; kids compete to show skills
As many as 2,000 young people could visit Jacksonville’s Prime Osborn Convention Center this week for a skills contest and a career expo meant to spotlight job opportunities in the building trades. The expo organized by the workforce nonprofit Construction Ready is happening alongside the SkillsUSA state championship competition for students to showcase their abilities in fields ranging from masonry to electrical wiring.
› Fort Myers-based NeoGenomics posts $26M net loss in Q1
Fort Myers-based oncology testing services company NeoGenomics Inc. reported a $26 million net loss for the first quarter, a 4% year-over-year decrease, according to an earnings report. Consolidated revenue was $168 million, an 8% increase, officials said, primarily due to higher volume, partially offset by lower nonclinical revenue.
› Sales launch at Waldorf Astoria condos, St. Petersburg’s new tallest tower
Want to live in the tallest building in St. Petersburg? Now’s your chance. Sales have launched at the Waldorf Astoria Residences, a 50-story luxury condominium tower planned for downtown St. Petersburg. The project is backed by national real estate firm PMG and local developer Feldman Equities along with City Office REIT. Smith & Associates Real Estate will handle sales. Once completed, the Waldorf Astoria Residences will rise above the 46-story Residences at 400 Central, making it the tallest building in the city and St. Petersburg’s first first five-star branded condo.
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› Southwest Florida Symphony calls it quits in Fort Myers
After 64 years, Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida Symphony is calling it quits. The professional orchestra will permanently close at the end of June, it announced Tuesday. The orchestra blames departing leadership, rising costs and repeated cash shortfalls. “The unfortunate fact is that classical music is struggling to thrive across the country,” the orchestra said in the April 29 news release.
› Tampa Riverwalk ranked second-best in the U.S.
Tampa’s Riverwalk has once again captured national recognition, recently being voted the second-best riverwalk in the United States in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Stretching 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River, the Riverwalk connects some of Tampa’s most vibrant attractions, including the Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Armature Works, and several waterfront parks.
› With $60M in new funding, 1NCE is building the future of IoT from the inside out
For a company built on the idea of making connectivity invisible, 1NCE has been anything but quiet lately. Fresh off raising $60 million in new funding, the Miami- and Germany-based IoT company is gearing up for a major leap forward. The funding round, its largest yet, will fuel the launch of a next-generation SaaS platform, new AI features, and further expansion across the U.S., Latin America, and Asia.
› AI-powered Orlando firm lands $919M government cybersecurity contract
Fortress Government Solutions LLC, an Orlando-based team of cybersecurity experts, engineers and data analysts, was awarded a $919 million contract April 15 to provide the federal government with supply chain risk management (SCRM) over the next 10 years. The contract gives the U.S. General Services Administration access to the company’s suite of artificial intelligence (AI) third-party risk management, SCRM and security products and services.