NOAA just released its 2025 hurricane forecast. Here’s what to know.
As Florida continues to lick its wounds from last year’s devastating hurricane season, storm experts Thursday said to gear up for what could be another active season. Hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they are expecting an above normal Atlantic hurricane season. The agency said it is anticipating up 13 to 19 named storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes and three to five could ramp up into a major hurricane, a Category 3 storm or higher. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Business Beat - Week of May 23rd
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DeSantis signs bill prohibiting golf, hotels on Florida state parks
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday to prohibit the building of golf courses, hotels and other amenities on state parks, putting an end to a nearly yearlong controversy that united people from across the state and political spectrum in support of preserving public land. The Florida Senate website showed the bill, House Bill 209, called the “State Park Preservation Act,” as having been signed just before 5 p.m. The governor’s office did not immediately announce the signing, nor did his office respond to an email requesting comment. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Cyber Florida deepens national footprint with two new cybersecurity partnerships
In separate announcements, Cyber Florida revealed collaborations with both CyberUSA, a national network focused on cybersecurity resilience, and the Idaho National Laboratory, one of the country’s leading institutions for critical infrastructure security. The moves significantly accelerate Cyber Florida’s mission to position Florida as a national cybersecurity leader. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Florida’s hiring boom spotlights growing demand for record sealing, expungement
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the state’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average, with strong job growth across healthcare, hospitality, logistics, and construction sectors. Yet as hiring intensifies, so do background checks. Employers are increasingly relying on automated screening tools and third-party platforms that flag any past arrests or charges, even if they were dropped or never resulted in a conviction. [Source: WFLA]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Northeast Florida industrial market cooling off
Jacksonville’s hot industrial market cooled in the first quarter of 2025 as prospective tenants worked the impact of prospective tariffs and other uncertainty into their plans. Six real estate companies produced quarterly market reports that found the area’s vacancy rate among industrial and warehouse buildings averaged 6.67% while rents averaged $8.90 per square foot.
› Miami startup Gail secures $8.2M to build the AI-powered brain of financial services
When Matthew and Michael Vega-Sanz sold insurtech startup Lula in 2024, they had options. They could have launched their next venture from San Francisco. They could’ve leaned on their track record to secure a big round fast. But they didn’t. Instead, the twin brothers went quiet – and stayed in Miami. Over the past year, the Vega-Sanz brothers have been building Gail, an AI platform designed specifically for the financial services industry.
› Cape Coral considers $600 yearly fee for rental property owners
Cape Coral officials are considering imposing a $600 yearly fee that could affect roughly 10,000 residential rental property owners throughout the city. The potential fees could translate into rent increases if owners raise rates accordingly, real estate professionals and residents told City Council members at a May 21 meeting. That could impact low-income renters even while a lack of affordable housing continues to be a problem. Some argued that the fees should only target short-term vacation rental properties.
› $2.4 million in incentives for Titusville Mall redevelopment project gets final approval
The developer seeking to transform Titusville Mall into a $240 million mixed-use complex received final approval on May 20 for $2.4 million in economic incentives from the city. The Titusville City Council in April backed the incentive by a 3-2 vote. But the funding also needed approval from the Brevard County Commission because it exceeded $500,000. That approval came with a unanimous County Commission vote on May 20.
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› AAA activating Tow to Go in Florida for Memorial Day weekend. What to know about free program
The Memorial Day weekend is approaching fast. Long considered the unofficial start of summer, the long holiday weekend is filled with shopping, grilling and fun. In anticipation of some fun involving a little too much to drink, AAA is activating its Tow to Go service in Florida and several other states to keep impaired drivers off the road.
› After nearly closing, Sarasota cheese shop raises capital to remain open
A retail cheese business in Sarasota has had a whirlwind of the past two weeks — going from announcing it would be closing to raising more than $30,000 in one day to now committing to remain open. Louise Converse, known affectionately as “Cheese Louise," has owned Artisan Cheese Company, which is in the Rosemary District, just north of downtown Sarasota, for 13 years. As bills piled up, the cheese connoisseur thought she was going to have to close her shop.
› Fort Lauderdale warns of more parking QR code scams ahead of holiday weekend
More fraudulent QR codes that appear as legitimate ways to pay for parking in the city of Fort Lauderdale were found at multiple lots and along the beach last weekend, prompting another reminder for residents and visitors to beware ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. The city first issued a public notice about the fake QR codes in November after parking staff found them on PayByPhone signs and parking meters during routine inspections, and others were found the next day.
› AquaFence, known for viral hurricane videos, to open Tampa office
AquaFence, which went viral during Hurricane Helene for providing a barrier between Tampa General Hospital and rising flood waters, will open an office in Tampa. Water Street Tampa office tower Thousand and One will be home to the third U.S. office of Oslo, Norway-based AquaFence. The company did not say how many jobs the Tampa office will create, but it will be staffed by new hires and employees relocated from New Jersey.