Florida TaxWatch flags $416M in 'budget turkeys' for DeSantis veto pen
While Florida's $115.1 billion state budget for the coming year is $3 billion smaller than the current spending plan, Florida TaxWatch still found plenty of line-items it says Gov. Ron DeSantis should veto. The business-backed organization released its annual budget “turkey watch report,” urging the governor to erase at least 242 provisions totaling $416.5 million. [Source: Florida Today]
Hurricane Season 2025: When the Internet storm is worse than the real thing
A leading weather model looked 10 days into the future in the waning days of May and forecast in angry swirls of reds and oranges a large hurricane hitting Florida on June 10, 2025. Meteorologists on social media cautioned about the lack of accuracy in forecasting something that far out and noted the storm-friendly bias of the GFS, or American Global Forecast System, that tends to be more aggressive early in the season in spinning up tropical cyclones. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Lawmakers slash Florida Forever conservation funds despite public land support
Thousands of Floridians protested at their beloved state parks last summer to send a clear message to lawmakers: Public land should be protected. Despite the vast display of bipartisan support for Florida’s wild places, lawmakers on Monday night approved budget cuts to the state’s flagship conservation land acquisition program that helps grow and create new state parks. The Florida Forever program is slated to receive $18 million in the upcoming budget year, compared to at least $100 million in funding every year since 2021. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WFSU.
Rays reportedly in talks to sell team to Florida home developer in deal valued at $1.7 billion
A group led by a Jacksonville developer is in advanced talks and to buy the Rays for about $1.7 billion, the Sportico website reported Wednesday. Developer Patrick Zalupski signed a letter of intent to buy the team, but Sportico also reported he does yet not have a purchase agreement “and the deal ultimately might not be completed.” Reports and rumors of a potential Rays sale have circulated several times over the past several years. More from Yahoo Sports and the Tampa Bay Times.
Study: Floridians need nearly $100K annually to live ‘comfortably’
A new study by SmartAsset, a financial advising company, shows comfort is getting more costly in the Sunshine State and across the U.S. For Floridians, a single adult would have to earn $97,386 annually to be comfortable. That ranks 22nd in the country, according to SmartAsset analysts. For a family of four, a household would need to be bringing in $217,651 per year, the analysis concluded. Florida is ranked 31st in the country in that metric. [Source: Florida Politics]
Preparing quality graduates: UMA’s commitment to healthcare employers
FloridaCommerce projects that by 2032, the state’s healthcare facilities—including ambulatory care, hospitals, and nursing care centers—will require nearly 70,000 additional professionals to support the growing population. Allied health professionals form the backbone of these institutions, carrying out essential roles such as taking vital signs, drawing blood, preparing medications, and handling billing. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› St. Petersburg’s Vinoy hotel was almost torn down. Now it’s turning 100.
A seashell-pink star of vintage postcards and Instagram feeds alike, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club is a Tampa Bay icon. Long a hotspot for dances, weddings and luxe getaways, the Mediterranean Revival-style hotel is steeped in history, from the original ceramic tile floors to the hand-painted cypress rafters. And now it’s celebrating a big milestone: In December, the Vinoy turns 100.
› April tourism numbers show 19.4% drop in Canadian visitors to Collier County
Collier County tourism revenue grew again in April – the last full month of “season” – but the number of Canadian visitors dropped 19.4%, continuing a decline since the beginning of the year. International visitation in April overall dropped 7.9% year-over-year, driven by the drop in Canadian visitors, but international markets posted year-over-year gains, according to Jay Tusa, director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors bureau, in his report to the Tourism Development Council on June 17.
› Miami Lakes to sue Florida over home-rattling blast mining
After years of home-rattling explosions and failed legislation to address it, Miami Lakes moved this week to sue Florida over a state ban on lawsuits against limestone mining operations. The Town Council voted 7-0 for a measure by member Steven Herzberg to challenge the constitutionality of a state law that today requires property damage claims related to blast mining to go through the state’s Division of Administrative Hearings.
› French plane maker Aura Aero to open first U.S. plant in Daytona Beach this month
French aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero on Wednesday, June 18, announced it is stepping up plans to start assembling planes for the North American market here, thanks to a helping hand from Space Florida, the state's aerospace economic development agency.
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› Proposal to cancel Miami’s November election, push it to 2026 passes first vote
The city of Miami has moved one step closer to postponing the upcoming November election without voter input. On Tuesday night, the Miami City Commission voted 3-2 in favor of switching the city from odd- to even-year elections, pushing forward a proposal that entails moving the November election to 2026 and giving the city’s current elected officials an extra year in office — including those who will have reached their term limits.
› Renderings revealed for Boca's $20 million indoor pickleball, padel complex
In the city where palm trees sway and tennis once reigned, a new sound is rising: the pop of a pickleball. On Tuesday, Boca Raton broke ground on Boca Paddle, a sleek, climate-controlled club that blends luxury, sport and community into one expansive 100,000-square-foot playground.
› Older Sarasota-Manatee women suffer more economic hardship than men
A report titled “Aging, Women and Economic Insecurity in Sarasota County” was put together by Sarasota’s American Association of University Women with support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. It found that in 2018, women in Sarasota County reported a median retirement income of $13,792, while men had $24,289. Meanwhile, the median Social Security annual income in Sarasota County was $12,652 for women and $18,232 for men.
› X-Golf's 'innovative and accurate golf simulator' concept coming to Celebration Pointe
Golfers in Gainesville who have ever wanted to tee it up at Pebble Beach or the Old Course at St. Andrews will soon get the chance thanks to a new experience coming to Celebration Pointe. X-Golf, which offers "the most innovative and accurate golf simulator in the world," according to its website, is set to open this fall in the space previously occupied by Tommy Hilfiger.