Florida reefs offer multi-million dollar flood protection — if they survive
It’s no secret that Florida’s iconic coral reefs are in trouble. Repeated body blows from hurricanes, pollution, disease, climate change — and a near-knockout punch from a 2023 marine heat wave — has effectively wiped several species off the map. Scientists, nonprofits, the state of Florida and the federal government are all scrambling to rescue and rebuild the reef tract. But a new study found that if Florida doesn’t preserve what we have now, residents could see hundreds of millions of dollars of extra flooding damage in the future. More from the Miami Herald.
Jacksonville's AV ambitions gain momentum as federal funding takes shape
As the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the city pour millions of public dollars into autonomous transit, JTA’s CEO said to expect a major boost from the federal government. The embrace of AVs is poised to provide significant support for projects in Jacksonville, as JTA partners with several companies to develop the Ultimate Urban Circular – its AV shuttle system – and as the city incentivizes manufacturer Holon to build an AV production facility in the Northside. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.
See also:
» Autonomous NAVI shuttles could be extended
Rays’ new stadium plan again puts Orlando in spotlight as backup
The Rays’ new owners have selected Tampa’s Hillsborough College as their desired stadium location, but the Orlando area is again being cast as their backup. “I believe that it’s either going to be located at (Hillsborough College) or the team’s going to be in Orlando,” Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said on a sports radio show Wednesday. “The reality is the they have significantly more bed tax revenue than we do, and they’ve been pushing for a team.” More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Miami Beach finds a path to lure new businesses
Miami Beach aims to bolster its economy this year by attracting new businesses to the city and hosting major events. Mayor Steven Meiner said there’s “a lot of activity” happening in the city and the results are reflected in the numbers. “A lot of good things are happening and we’re seeing the results already,” he said. The types of businesses looking to set up in Miami Beach range from restaurants to family offices to hedge funds and venture capital funds opening new office space. More from Miami Today.
Pinellas tourism hits $10B impact, funds $153M projects
Tourism continues to anchor Pinellas County’s economy, generating more than $10 billion in economic impact in 2025 while supporting roughly 100,000 jobs across hospitality, retail, transportation and related sectors. Beyond visitor spending, tourism is also driving significant reinvestment back into the county. More from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
Out of the Box
Burning trees to help the planet? South Florida tries new climate tech solution
In lush South Florida, trees and bushes grow all year round. And that means yard waste and dead trees never stop piling up. But leaving them in a landfill is a climate-warming issue. Two South Florida governments think they have a new solution — light it on fire, but in a planet-friendly way.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Event
Science on Tap Beer Festival returns to Orlando Science Center for fifth year
Toast science with a glass full of it at the fifth Science on Tap Beer Festival, returning to Loch Haven Park on from 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 24). Orlando Science Center’s family-friendly fundraiser welcomes the community for an afternoon of local beers from more than 30 breweries from around Central Florida, all of them eager to show off their wares while supporting the Center’s mission to inspire learning. Guests will sip and sample as they explore interactive demos, enjoy lawn games with friends and share plates from area food trucks, which will be dotted around the event.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.