Florida businesses brace as Canadian tourism declines
Florida businesses that have long depended on Canadian visitors say they are feeling the impact of a sharp drop in tourism, raising concerns about the upcoming winter season. According to Visit Lauderdale, Canadian visitors are down 10 to 16 percent since April, with 13.5 percent fewer Canadians flying in. Officials estimate that could mean up to a $90 million loss in economic activity. [Source: CBS Miami]
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» Collier County to address visitor drop, help fill hotel rooms
What is the Fujiwhara Effect and could it impact tropical systems moving toward Florida?
After an unseasonably long pause, the Atlantic hurricane season is alive again with twin tropical waves that some models show heading in parallel tracks off the coast of Florida and the Southeast. Or, it could be a setup for the “Fujiwhara effect” — an atmospheric phenomenon where two nearby storms interact with each other. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University, said the effect — also called binary interaction by the scientists who study such things — occurs when two systems are within 800 miles of each other. More from WESH and the Miami Herald]
Landlord disputes, rising food costs: Inside South Florida’s restaurant closings shake-up
Can you feel the restaurant churn? As the heat index surged and tourists left town, the unmistakable signs were everywhere this summer: Longtime mom-and-pops closed shop with little warning. Restaurants that once weathered decades of downturns have closed left and right, blaming a combination of doubled rents, higher labor wages, increased food costs and disagreements with landlords. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Citizens CEO says a push to undo Florida insurance reforms is behind arbitration criticism
The CEO of state-owned Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on Wednesday lashed out at criticism over over the company’s use of an alternative arbitration panel to decide claims disputes. He called accusations of unfairness an effort by some plaintiffs attorneys to overturn reforms that have returned profitability to Florida’s property insurance industry. But Tim Cerio, Citizens president and CEO, spent little time discussing a key accusation that the process violates policyholders’ constitutional right to have a jury determine resolution of their disputes. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Poll: Overwhelming majority of Floridians want to slash trial attorney pay
Floridians across the political spectrum think trial lawyers need a pay cut, new polling shows. A new survey from the Associated Industries of Florida Center for Political Strategy found 83% of voters support capping personal injury attorneys’ fees at 20% of the money awarded to a plaintiff, including 59% who say they “strongly approve” of the measure, which AIF contends would lower the incentive for attorneys to pursue “frivolous lawsuits.” [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Program developed to help Northeast Florida businesses jump-start exports
International trade can be deep waters for any U.S. business to wade into. To help small businesses in Jacksonville find overseas markets for their products and understand the dynamics of exporting, the Jacksonville Port Authority and two partners are offering help through their International Trade Certificate Program.
› More riders, cheaper South Florida tickets for Brightline. Will more premium seats help its finances?
Brightline’s ridership kept growing last month as it offered cheaper tickets between stations in South Florida. The train service raised fares for its more lucrative long distance trips servicing Orlando last month. That helped increase revenue as Brightline continued looking to sell a “substantial” part of the company, according to its monthly ridership report.
› Port Canaveral budget forecasts 9 million passengers for record year
Port Canaveral is set to bathe in the spoils of another record year of cruise traffic with a fiscal budget for 2026 projected to hit nearly $240 million in operating revenue. More than $200 million of that is from cruise-related income from a record projected 9 million passenger movements, which counts people both when they get on and off a ship, as well as a parking fee increase from $17 to $20. Overall operating revenue is projected to hit $237.4 million, with operating expenses to hit $159.2 million leaving $78.3 in operating income.
› Boynton Beach will annex two neighboring communities. What it means for residents' taxes
Boynton Beach commissioners have unanimously voted to annex two residential areas as part of a larger effort to bring unincorporated neighborhoods into the city — a move that has some residents concerned about property taxes, utility fees and other potential impacts. The two communities — Bamboo Lane and Palmyra — are among 38 the city proposed to annex last year. Ultimately, Boynton Beach could eventually absorb more than 50 communities to its west.
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› Amazon brings fresh grocery delivery from Winn-Dixie stores to Northeast Florida
Jacksonville residents now have a new option for stocking their pantries: Amazon has launched grocery delivery from select Winn-Dixie stores, including locations across Northeast Florida. The partnership, announced Thursday, allows shoppers to order Winn-Dixie products through Amazon's website or app with two-hour delivery windows available.
› Chassahowitzka River Campground to stay in public hands for next four decades
A month after Floridians first learned their long-celebrated Chassahowitzka River Campground could be closed and sold, state water managers approved an agreement ensuring it stays open and in public hands. The weeks of public unease ended when the Southwest Florida Water Management District board voted unanimously to approve a deal with Citrus County to keep the campground publicly owned and accessible for the next four decades.
› Boca Raton voters will consider funding a new city police station on the March ballot
Boca Raton could get a new police station if voters approve a March 2026 ballot referendum question that would allow city officials to spend the money to do so. Though city staff presented a location to the City Council at a meeting Monday, the referendum question only involves the financing of the project, which, if approved, would come from $175 million of bond funds.
› Jacksonville City Council passes operating budget, tax rate reduction
The Jacksonville City Council approved the city’s 2025-26 operating budget at the close of a nearly 13 1/2 hour meeting Sept. 24, ending weeks of debate surrounding the city’s spending priorities. The exact amount of the budget wasn’t immediately available due to last-minute revisions by Council, several of which restored funding that had been cut earlier. But it is expected to be more than $2 billion, making it the largest in city history.