Exceptional drought threatens Florida agriculture recovery
In a year with no hurricanes, most Floridians have been thankful to not have to board up windows, evacuate to higher ground or stock up on flashlights and bottled water. But for Florida’s agricultural sector, months without rain have caused other problems. Throughout the year, farmers across the state have been dealing with extremely dry conditions. In the first part of 2025, South Florida missed out on its spring rain, leading to severe drought. And now, the Panhandle is experiencing its worst drought in over a decade. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
How space became the hottest market on Earth (and off)
If you haven't looked up recently, you're missing the next gold rush. The space economy reached $613 billion globally last year and is projected to hit $1.8 trillion within a decade. SpaceX's valuation is now $400 billion, making it the world's most valuable private company. Florida witnessed 100 rocket launches this year, with 200 expected next year. The commercialization of space has arrived, and everyone from Silicon Valley to Shanghai wants in. [Source: Quartz]
See also:
» Forget 'days of old.' Florida's Space Coast preps for 6 launches in a week
Affordability fight grows as power rates climb in Florida
Most major declared candidates for governor have pledged to bring costs down across a range of areas hitting Floridians’ wallets – insurance, taxes, health care and education. But they haven’t specifically mentioned how they’ll address utility rates. The utility rate increase arrives as residents already are coping with surges in property and auto insurance, property taxes, inflation on grocery items and a pending spike in health care premiums.[Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Tax collections top projection
Florida’s general-revenue tax collections topped expectations in October. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, in a report issued Friday, said Florida collected about $3.767 billion in net general revenue in October, $171.8 million more than had been projected. Sales taxes, the largest part of general revenue, topped expectations by $125.3 million in October. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida’s new reporting system is shining a light on human trafficking in the Sunshine State
Florida’s Trafficking in Persons Risk to Resilience Lab, known as the TIP lab, was created to study human trafficking in the state of Florida. Misconceptions about what trafficking looks like have made it harder to see and harder to measure. The available data on this crime and its victims has long been fragmented, incomplete and inconsistent. [Source: The Conversation]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Rays officials say they are making progress on a new stadium for 2029
Rays CEO Ken Babby said Monday that the team is progressing in evaluating “a handful” of sites for a new ballpark across “the Tampa Bay region” and remains confident — with the right public/private partnership — of having it ready for the 2029 season. Babby would not discuss specific sites but said the Rays have met with city and county officials on both sides of Tampa Bay. Nor would he share a deadline for site selection or groundbreaking to meet the 2029 goal.
› 61 acres, many goals: Inside a landowner’s yearslong plan in the Ag Reserve
Longtime plant nursery owner Paul Okean and his two grown children walk along a barren patch of land on a recent morning, frustrated but hopeful about the future of their family terrain in the Ag Reserve. It used to claim a booming nursery. It used to be where the kids grew up at their dad’s farm-oriented workplace, a distinct upbringing they remember fondly. These days, the family has been working together to convert the land into something for which they again can be proud.
› Lakewood Ranch growth spurs concern over subdivision developments, potential flood risk after hurricanes
Since Hurricane Debby inundated parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties last year, residents and local officials remain divided over how fast subdivision development should continue in one of Florida’s fastest-growing master-planned communities. There are more than 30 distinctive villages in Lakewood Ranch, according to the county's office of tourism and construction is surging.
› Inside Travel + Leisure's new headquarters in downtown Orlando before move-in day
A major Central Florida public company is now ready for its new home in downtown Orlando — an effort more than two years in the making. On Dec. 16, Travel + Leisure Co.’s new headquarters at 501 W. Church St. will be bustling with hundreds of employees meeting colleagues, finding their new desks and locating the break rooms.
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› Florida pumps $15 million into Taylor Creek Reservoir to boost supply
Taylor Creek Reservoir, one of Brevard County's largest water supplies, just received a $15 million cash injection to boost regional water supply by up to 54 million gallons per day. The St. Johns River Water Management District has been awarded two major grants through Florida’s Alternative Water Supply Grant Program. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the grants at an event last week in Tampa.
› New statewide advocacy network links Miami, Orlando and Tallahassee lobbying firms
A trio of Florida-based lobbying firms is teaming up to launch a new advocacy alliance that promises clients one-stop access to political muscle from Miami to the Capitol. The Advocacy Network (TAN) brings together Tallahassee firm The Advocacy Partners, Orlando- and Tampa-based Central Florida Public Affairs, and Miami shop Gazitua Letelier in a coordinated network focused on local governments, state agencies and the Florida Legislature.
› Residents troubled by plan for AI data center near Arden, Loxahatchee
A 1.8-million square-foot data center may be coming to an area near the Arden community in Palm Beach County's western suburbs. The proposal, called Project Tango, is causing angst for Loxahatchee-area residents who have questions and concerns about industrial noise, diesel emissions, traffic and environmental issues.
› How does Coral Gables celebrate 100? See the city’s concert in the Venetian Pool
A 1920s-themed concert under the stars was held Sunday at the historic Venetian Pool in Coral Gables to commemorate the city’s 100th anniversary. The performance, featuring Maestro Eduardo Marturet and the Miami Symphony Orchestra, served as the grand finale of a yearlong celebration for the City Beautiful.