"Love bombing" local businesses: A mission to revive Florida’s West Coast after the last year’s hurricanes
The west coast of Florida is still reeling from last year’s back-to-back hurricanes, and while the storms have long passed, their aftermath continues to weigh heavily on the small businesses that give these beach towns their heart and soul. Many owners are still struggling to rebuild as tourism dollars—once the lifeline of these communities—have slowed to a trickle. Now, a new movement is taking shape: a mission to Love Bomb local businesses, rallying residents and visitors alike to lift them back up with intentional support. [Source: WFLA]
As Tropical Storm Fernand weakens, the tropics turn quiet. At least for a moment
For at least the next week, it looks like nothing is set to follow Fernand in the Atlantic basin, University of Miami associate scientist Andy Hazelton said on Monday. The Pacific basin might see an uptick in action, but it appears as if Labor Day could be a quiet one this year. Obviously, that doesn’t mean the coast is clear for the rest of the season. Hurricane season doesn’t officially end until November 30, and the bulk of the activity is usually toward the later end of the season. [Source: Miami Herald]
Could this ‘superfruit’ be Florida’s next big crop?
When it comes to Florida, fruits like oranges and pineapples may be the first things that come to mind. But that may not be the case forever. According to the UF/IFAS, researchers are looking into the possibility of bringing acerola to the Sunshine State as its next big crop. Acerola — also known as a “Barbados cherry” — is a type of fruit grown in places like the Caribbean, Brazil and Mexico, among other parts of Central and South America. [Source: Click Orlando]
Citizens Insurance warns of being ‘irreparably harmed’
Arguing that it faces being “irreparably harmed,” the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. wants an appeals court to allow it to use a controversial claims-dispute process while a legal battle plays out. Attorneys for Citizens on Friday filed a 63-page motion at the 2nd District Court of Appeal seeking a stay of a temporary injunction that Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Melissa M. Polo issued Aug. 1 to block the process, which involves arbitrating claims disputes at the state Division of Administrative Hearings. [Source: News Service of Florida]
27 states sign on to Florida’s battle over law blocking kids from social media
Pointing to a “significant interest in protecting children and youth from social media’s harms,” 27 states last week backed Florida in an appeals-court battle about a law aimed at keeping kids off certain social-media platforms. Attorneys general from the states, including Republicans and Democrats, filed a friend-of-the-court brief at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as Florida seeks to overturn a district judge’s ruling that blocked the law on First Amendment grounds. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› PGA Tour World Champions Cup returns to Tampa Bay
The World Champions Cup, the PGA Tour Champions’ three-day global teams golf competition, is returning to Tampa Bay for a second time this December. This time, players from Team International, Team USA and Team Europe will tee off at Clearwater’s Feather Sound Country Club from Dec. 4-7. The competition made its debut in east Manatee County in 2023 but was postponed in 2024 due to hurricane damage and weather concerns.
› Poll: Central Florida voters overwhelmingly back Tourist Development Tax
Central Florida voters strongly support Florida’s Tourist Development Tax program, according to new polling that reinforces earlier statewide results showing broad, bipartisan approval. A survey conducted July 21-25 by Hill Research found that 79% of Orange County voters back the program, including nearly half who “strongly approve.” In Osceola and Seminole counties, approval climbs to 86%, with 48% strongly supportive.
› Retirees hold $38 billion in real estate wealth in Martin, St. Lucie counties
Nearly half of the homeowners in the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area, which includes St. Lucie and Martin counties, are retirees, collectively holding $38 billion in real estate wealth, according to a recent analysis by Realtor.com. The Port St. Lucie metro area is the No. 7 housing market for retirees in the U.S., the analysis found.
› ‘Prices are just too high’: Miami diners sound off on why they’re not dining out
Ask just about any chef or restaurant owner around Miami, and they’ll tell you that the summer of 2025 is one of the toughest they’ve seen in terms of luring diners. The main reasons cited by diners is the fact that prices are too high — and that too many new restaurants aren’t paying attention to the needs of local diners.
More stories ...
› As Sarasota County faces budget shortfall, sheriff's spending looms as largest expense
Sarasota County commissioners signaled they were unhappy with the size of the sheriff’s budget request this year at a budget meeting where they forecast storm clouds on the fiscal horizon. County budget planners are projecting a $25.2 million deficit in the general fund by the 2028 fiscal year. The next year, it would balloon to about $37.8 million.
› Melbourne digs deep to install largest baffle box to heal Indian River Lagoon
Their name makes them seem perplexing, but in reality, baffle boxes have a very straightforward job: cleaning stormwater. Melbourne is installing a $2.1 million baffle box — purported to be the largest in the world — at Apollo Boulevard near General Aviation Drive, with assurances that it will capture the worst of what enters the Indian River Lagoon.
› Pickle Holdings Co. expands with new warehouse, headquarters
It began with Shai Tzabari making pickles using his Israeli grandmother’s salt brine recipe. Then he and his wife, Charlotte, started selling the tangy snacks on a stick at area farmers markets. in 2010. On Aug. 15, Olive My Pickle began moving into a 54,000-square-foot production facility and warehouse at 7720 Philips Highway in Jacksonville.
› Parlay Pal, an AI app for smarter sports betting, wins top prize at SPARC
Five months ago, Mark Voltaire never imagined winning $5,000 and a chance to compete for a $1 million investment prize. The Miami native was named this year’s winner of SPARC South Florida’s pitch competition on Saturday. The winning startup was Parlay Pal, an AI-powered sports betting app designed to help bettors understand their true odds of winning a parlay before placing a bet.