Legislature finally settles its differences on condo bill
Lawmakers in both chambers of the Florida Legislature voted unanimously Wednesday to pass a bill addressing rising fees for condominium owners, which is one of the items that has sprouted criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis. With the scheduled end of the session looming mere days away, the Legislature approved a bill, HB 913, that allows condominium associations to secure credit lines and invest funds to pay for building repairs instead of immediately raising large amounts of cash from owners. More from the Florida Phoenix and the News Service of Florida.
Column: Don’t roll back relief that Florida truckers, consumers are finally seeing
Chances are, everything in your home — from groceries to clothes to appliances — arrived there thanks to a trucker. Every truck on Florida’s roads represents a team of skilled professionals who keep our economy moving. The industry is literally where the rubber meets the road, and when overhead costs like insurance increase, it translates to higher costs for truckers, which in turn leads to higher costs for everyday goods. [Source: Florida Politics]
Fate of the Florida state parks bill comes down to the wire
The Florida Senate amended and then unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to prohibit building golf courses, hotels and other amenities on state park land amid speculation and uncertainty about the popular bill’s future. Although the Senate vote would have normally represented its penultimate hurdle before heading to the governor, it has another obstacle to pass before time runs out for this year’s legislative session, scheduled to end Friday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida drought conditions worsen and the news isn't good for May
The Florida Department of Emergency Management summed up what's happening in the state with these succinct words: "Drought conditions throughout the Peninsula continue to worsen following warm temperatures and lack of rainfall. Three separate areas are suffering from extreme drought conditions, according to NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System. Extreme drought conditions have expanded in South Florida. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida's VPK program is now 20; but not every 4-year-old enrolls
Since Florida's first VPK program began in 2005, more than 2.6 million children have enrolled. Nationwide, though, Florida ranks 45th in paying for its VPK program, despite being in the top three for the number of children enrolled, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research 2023 State of Preschool report. The report, issued in 2024, points to the fact that states have increased funding, enrollment and quality since before the COVID-19 pandemic, but urged states to do better. [Source: TC Palm]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FC Barcelona to move its commercial operations in America from New York to Miami
FC Barcelona announced Wednesday that it will relocate the club’s commercial operations to downtown Miami the epicenter of soccer business in the United States and a hub for connection with Latin America, from New York City,. This move comes after the Club received a business incentive grant from the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and will continue to elevate FC Barcelona’s presence in North America.
› Busch Gardens to get new additions, upgrades with $40 million transformation
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will have new rides, animals, habitats, food and much more with an almost $40 million investment and a new park president. Park officials announced sweeping additions and upgrades including the debut of Wild Oasis at Jungala in May and a major transformation of Adventure Island. Jeff Davis, the new president, said the money will help solidify the park's status as a "premier destination."
› Former 'Potato Capital' Hastings seeing downtown resurgence
About four years ago, local real estate brokers Jena and Allyn Dennis took a chance on buying up some of the historic buildings of downtown Hastings with the idea revitalizing the area. Thanks to additional public and private investing and the effort to receive Main Street designation, the Main Street corridor is becoming a lively place for the first time in decades.
› Pushback over TMH, FSU integration existed long before reaching public eye
The possible fusing of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare into Florida State University has captivated the attention of many local leaders and community members in recent weeks, but conversations about the two entities coming together has been in the works for years. And pushback and "cultural differences" between the two local institutions were anticipated from the start.
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› Tampa startup Improving Aviation leverages Google partnership to scale AI-driven safety tools
After wrapping up its yearlong participation in the Google for Startups Founders Accelerator, as part of its first exclusively artificial intelligence-focused cohort, the startup is now using Google Cloud and Gemini to power SkyTL, its AI-driven mission management platform and WindTL, a wildfire prediction tool that models real-time fire behavior and supports public safety efforts.
› Southeastern University in Lakeland will receive another $12 million from Graper family
Southeastern University in Lakeland will receive $12 million from the late Robert and Sandra Graper, as part of their planned end-of-life giving, the school announced. The funds come as the second installment of a gift that established the Graper Family Scholarship Endowment earlier in 2025. The gift brings the total amount given by the Graper family to more than $16 million this year.
› Luxury apartments are headed to Hollywood, and that means retail spots are out
Locals strolling Hollywood’s Young Circle may have noticed changes afoot within the aging La Piazza complex, a low-slung shopping strip crowned with apartments on Hollywood Boulevard. A Cricket phone retailer is shuttered. The FedEx facility is gone, too, having moved to Tyler Street. And one of La Piazza’s last holdouts, J28 Sandwich Bar — an 11-year-old Peruvian eatery and TV-famous favorite of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host Guy Fieri — is expected to close its location by the end of May.
› Push aims to get behind-schedule Metromover upgrades on track
A behind-schedule upgrade of the Metromover transit system is seeking ways to get its timetable back on track while it continues to disrupt downtown mobility to let the county finish a long list of upgrades, a spokesman says. The automated people mover carried an average of 18,793 passengers per day in the downtown, Brickell and Omni areas of Miami’s core in February, the most recent county-produced statistics show.