‘Huge sticker shock’: Floridians get first look at health insurance price hikes
Millions of Floridians are facing higher Obamacare prices with the start of open enrollment. Costs are being driven up by the expiration of enhanced subsidies, enacted in 2021, that helped many people pay for health insurance — and are now at the center of the federal government shutdown dispute. The Sunshine State has about 4.7 million people enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans, and it’s estimated as many as a third could drop their coverage given the higher prices. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
How many hurricanes have hit Florida in November? Tropical outlook
The countdown to the end of Hurricane season is on. Hurricane Season wraps up on November 30th and although November is the end of hurricane season, it does not mean that we are out of the woods just yet. There have been 7 hurricanes since records have been kept since 1850 that have impacted Florida in November. The 2025 hurricane season has seen an average number of named storms, but their intensity has been exceptional. [Source: WOFL]
Florida Retail Federation: As holiday shopping kicks off, buy in Sunshine State
Now that Halloween is over the calendar is pointing to the real holiday season that will run through New Year’s day and a lot of spending on gifts and festivities ahead as retailers remind Floridians to keep their eyes on local merchants. The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is advising shoppers “‘Tis the season to shop local.” The Sunshine State business advocacy group is urging those buying during the holidays to focus on stores nearby as opposed to being fixated on buying online or ordering items from outside the area. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida Legislature begins review of efforts to reduce, eliminate property taxes
The Legislature in Tallahassee on Friday began exploring in earnest proposals that would reduce or eliminate property taxes, a populist move that would dramatically help with housing affordability but could fundamentally change how communities pay for local government services, including fire departments, trash pickup, city parks and more. An advisory arm for the Legislature focused on revenue forecasts, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, met in the Capitol to review at least eight proposals by lawmakers. [Source: WUSF]
'It's been 125 years and they're back': Inside Florida's fight to repopulate flamingos
For generations, Florida has claimed the flamingo as its unofficial mascot: a splash of pink on postcards and lawn ornaments. But for the last century, the real birds had vanished. Now, they may finally be coming home. In the early 1900s, hunters nearly wiped out Florida’s wading birds, their plumage fueling the fashion industry’s obsession with feathers. By the time laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act passed in 1918, it was too late. Decades later, recent sightings have restored hope that the flamingo could make a comeback. [Source: The Weather Channel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› World Cup could boost Miami economy. But don't trust lofty projections, experts say
World Cup organizers say next year's tournament could be a huge win for the Miami economy, but economists say it's more complicated than that. Miami-area governments are investing about $53 million to help fund the tournament, most of it coming from Miami-Dade County. A 2024 economic impact study commissioned by FIFA estimated that the Miami metro area could see between $920 million and $1.3 billion in economic output between June 2023 and August 2026.
› Survey: More Central Florida businesses fret about prospects amid economic uncertainty
Almost three-fourths of respondents in a new survey of Central Florida businesses expressed confidence about their prospects for the rest of the year — but that sentiment tumbled from a year earlier. Results from the business conditions survey for the third quarter that came out last week showed 72% had confidence in the outlook for their own businesses in the current quarter compared to 86% for the same period in 2024.
› Five Points becomes Jacksonville's second Business Improvement District
After more than a year of debate and neighborhood meetings, Five Points will officially become Jacksonville’s second Business Improvement District — and the first outside of downtown. With a 14-5 vote Oct. 28, City Council approved the creation of the Five Points BID, giving the eclectic Riverside enclave a new taxing structure to fund cleaner streets, stronger security and livelier events.
› Crypto ATM scams rise as scammers target Southwest Florida
The scams are as old as Ma Bell, and the technology to pull them off is as new as cryptocurrency. Scammers are sending victims to cryptocurrency ATMs instead of buying gift cards, wire transfers and money orders. It’s almost impossible for the victims to get their money back, even if the cryptocurrency can be traced. Scammers sending victims to crypto ATMs is becoming an increasing problem across Southwest Florida and the country.
More stories ...
› Longboat Key landmark with 70 years of history acquired in big move for boating community
Ingman Marine, a fourth-generation family-owned marina based in Port Charlotte, has purchased Cannons Marina, a historic, family-run marina on Longboat Key, according to a press release. The acquisition marks a major milestone for Ingman Marine, as it continues to expand its presence on the Suncoast and strengthen its ties with Grady-White Boats, a North Carolina based company that builds fiberglass boats.
› Could on-demand AI-powered Glydcars drive the future of Miami transit?
Glydways, an Automated Transit Network (ATN), is in talks with the City of Miami about bringing an AI-powered, on-demand transit system to the city. The company says its technology could modernize or even replace the Metromover, using the existing guideways but with a completely new approach to how people move through the city and operating at a fraction of the cost.
› Fine arts power Southwest Florida’s economic growth
In economic development circles, fine arts are often dismissed as decorative rather than essential. But in Southwest Florida, the arts are proving to be a formidable economic engine, one that generates jobs, drives tourism and enhances the region’s quality of life. From Fort Myers to Naples, the fine arts are not just enriching, they’re indispensable.
› Virgin Voyages’ new Brilliant Lady brings adults-only fun to Florida
Just four years after Virgin Voyages’ first ship sailed its inaugural Caribbean itineraries, the cruise line is bringing online its fourth ship while continuing to challenge the norms of the industry. Brilliant Lady, which is calling PortMiami home for the winter, arrived in October from New York City to sail adults-only cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, ranging from six to 12 nights.