Hurricane season forecast slightly dialed back
While still anticipating above-normal hurricane activity through the end of November, Colorado State University researchers Wednesday trimmed their forecast for the Atlantic storm season. The university’s models now project 16 named storms, with eight reaching hurricane status and three becoming major storms with winds of 111 mph or higher. An initial forecast in April and a June update projected 17 named storms, with nine becoming hurricanes and four classified as major storms. More from the News Service of Florida and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Darkness is crucial to Everglades habitat. Could Alligator Alcatraz threaten it?
Surrounded by the low hum of swamp bugs, Anthony Sleiman pointed his camera to the west. The conservation photographer was more than 15 miles from the state’s newly built immigrant detention center, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. But just before 10 p.m. on July 1, he could see the site’s glow with his naked eye. Sleiman, whose night-sky Everglades images were featured last year in the national park’s visitor center, is concerned that the industrial lights emitting from the facility could harm the protected wildlife in a preserve globally recognized for its dark skies. He’s not alone. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
In Florida's hospitals, more than 25% of workers are immigrants
Florida has one of the highest populations of immigrants working in hospitals, according to census data analyzed by KFF. In Florida, nearly 27% of hospital workers are immigrants — only behind California (32%), New York (29%) and New Jersey (29%). Nationwide, 16% of hospital workers are immigrants — roughly in line with the share of the workforce that's foreign-born. [Source: Axios]
DeSantis signs bill scaling back state reinsurance support for Florida insurers
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill reducing Reinsurance to Assist Policyholders (RAP) program funding by $1.1 billion and repealing the Florida Optional Reinsurance Assistance (FORA) program, signaling a shift away from state-backed reinsurance support for carriers. House Bill 5013, enacted July 3, cuts the RAP program’s funding from $2 billion to $900 million. The program was introduced in 2022 to reimburse insurers for hurricane-related losses and was financed with taxpayer funds to boost capacity for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. In exchange for reimbursement, insurers participating in RAP agreed to reduce rates. [Source: Insurance Business Magazine]
Judge blocks part of new Florida petition law, says noncitizens can gather signatures
A federal judge upheld most of a new Florida law toughening regulations for petition gathering, but ordered that state officials couldn't enforce a provision for some petition groups that prohibited nonresident and noncitizen volunteers from gathering signatures. The judge ruled the provision likely violates First Amendment rights, while upholding other aspects of the law. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
| Florida Trend Mention |
|
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FPL continues efforts to reduce power outages during hurricanes, other storms
FPL is working to harden its infrastructure and reduce power outages through various programs, including burying power lines and strengthening poles. Smart-grid technology has helped avoid numerous outages, and FPL continues to invest in intelligent devices to improve grid reliability. Customers pay a monthly storm protection plan fee, which has increased and is expected to rise again, to fund these improvements.
› SCORE Naples launches BizPitch Challenge to support small businesses
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. Top reasons? Poor cash flow management, lack of market need, ineffective marketing, weak business models and burnout. A solution? SCORE Naples has one. The nonprofit organization of business mentors has announced its first-ever BizPitch Challenge, a fresh initiative designed to strengthen small businesses through education, mentorship and community investment.
› Is Miami losing or gaining tech jobs? New report looks at hiring trends
After years of steady growth, South Florida lost technology industry jobs in 2024, according to a new report. But it's not all bad news: After dropping by about 0.4% – a decrease of 515 jobs – tech employment in the region is expected to rise again this year, CompTIA reported its in 2025 State of the Tech Workforce report. The region could gain as many as 3,000 new jobs this year, the analysis said.
› Alachua County to take control of sports and events center from Celebration Pointe owners
The Alachua County Commission on July 8 voted to terminate its agreement with Celebration Pointe over the operation of the Alachua County Sports & Events Center and take control of the facility this fall. The decision comes after County Manager Michele Lieberman discussed with commissioners the status of a notice of default sent to Viking Companies, the owner of Celebration Pointe, on June 6 notifying them that they were in violation of their agreement with the county.
More stories ...
› Sarasota County still looking for locations to build new $18 million records facility
Sarasota County is still exploring where to build a new records center for the county clerk’s office, a project currently projected to cost $18 million. A memo from Carolyn Eastwood, the director of capital projects, said that the current records facility at the Northgate Center is in constant need of maintenance and is not prepared to handle major storms. “A new records center will ensure the safe keeping of the county’s vital records and will facilitate the retention, retrieval and disposal of those records in the future,” Eastwood wrote.
› In St. Augustine, sweet treats may be harder to find – and more expensive
As demand for chocolate rises and global cocoa yields remains low, many favorite treats in Northeast Florida from candy to baked goods are becoming more expensive and harder to source. Over the past few years, global cocoa supply has taken a hit due to climate factors such as weather and disease. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. The squeeze is starting to hit home at local chocolate shops and candies stores in the region.
› Planned Parenthood’s Florida merger will allow it to serve all 67 counties
Planned Parenthood’s two Florida affiliates will merge to form a single, unified statewide organization. The new organization, Planned Parenthood of Florida, will offer expanded services, more telehealth options and extended hours and days of operation at some of its combined 17 health centers in the state.
› Survey: Tariff uncertainty worries Port Everglades businesses
The Port Everglades business ecosystem is facing a year of labor challenges and growing concerns over tariff uncertainty, according to a survey from a supply chain management professor at Florida Atlantic University. The fourth annual Port Everglades Economic Engine Sentiment Index reading for 2025 was slightly pessimistic for the next three months at .49, and neutral for the next 12 months (.51). This year’s reading is down somewhat from the previous for three and 12 months.