Florida insurance officials contend market is strongest 'in well over a decade'
Insurance industry insiders and state leaders in Tallahassee insist the litigation reforms from three years ago have finally resulted in stability for insurers and policyholders. Companies are now either holding the line on rates or filing for rate reductions as lawsuits have significantly dropped. [Source: WPTV]
Business Beat - Week of January 23rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida's unemployment benefits could be harder to get
Florida pays out the fewest weeks of unemployment benefits (12) and the lowest maximum amount per week ($275), but some lawmakers want to impose more verification requirements for claimants to crack down on fraud. The proposed legislation would require claimants to contact five employers weekly and verify their status every two weeks. Some lawmakers expressed concern that the system could be overwhelmed by future job losses due to artificial intelligence. [Source: Florida Today]
Amid property tax debate, some Florida lawmakers worry about cuts to parks
As lawmakers work to put a proposal on this year’s ballot to further reduce taxes on homesteaded properties, some are raising concerns about one of the potential fallouts: access to neighborhood parks. Local parks are often funded through property taxes. If that money goes away or is significantly reduced, residents might have to pay more to use them. Rep. Linda Chaney, a St. Pete Beach Republican, said Thursday that she sees an increase in park fees as a realistic outcome of reducing property taxes. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida lands on list of filthiest states to dine in America: Here’s where it ranked & why
A new list naming the 10 filthiest states to dine in America is out — and, bad news, we’re on it. In fact, Florida is No. 2 (behind New Jersey), according to a study by Affordable Seating, a restaurant furniture manufacturer. The methodology? The Chicago-based company said it collected data from crowdsourced platform Tripadvisor, focusing on reviews of restaurants with ratings of 2.4 (or lower) out of five stars in the most populated cities of each state. They used key phrases such as “dirty restaurant,” “hair in food,” “rats” and “roaches.” [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 2 Florida airports among busiest in North America. Who is No. 1 in world?
It may be no surprise none of Florida's airports made the list of the busiest airports in the world for 2025. But two in Florida made the top 10 of the busiest airports in North America, according to aviation data platform OAG's annual airport ranking. Miami International hung on at No. 10 but Orlando International Airport moved up two spots from 2024's listing, coming in at No. 7 in 2025 among North America's busiest airports.
› Central Florida’s new football team, the Orlando Storm, will make primetime UFL debut
A new era of professional football is about to hit Central Florida — and it’s arriving in primetime. The Orlando Storm, Central Florida’s newest pro franchise and a member of the United Football League, will open its inaugural 2026 season by hosting the Columbus Aviators on Sunday, March 29, at Inter&Co Stadium. According to the team, the historic “407 Kickoff” celebration will feature appearances by Central Florida legends and community leaders, exclusive gameday giveaways and the unveiling of the Storm’s new mascot.
› Florida Chamber says Leon County lost 4,160 jobs, but locals see gains
Leon County is falling behind in job creation and job growth, according to an analysis by the Florida Chamber of Commerce – a revelation being downplayed by local economic development leaders, who maintain their data shows regional job gains. The report by the state Chamber indicated a year-over-year loss of 4,168 jobs and a job-growth rate that decreased by 2.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, up from 3.7% in January 2025.
› Miami tourism likely to be on par with last year’s numbers
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is projecting total visitation in the county in 2026 to potentially be on par with 2025, with a slight dip in international visitors. A projected increase in visits by Floridians who live outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties should offset any declines in international visitation, according to the bureau.
More stories ...
› Big boy: Largest male great white shark on record returns to Florida waters
“Contender,” the largest male white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic — at 13 feet, 9 inches and 1,700 pounds — has returned to Florida waters after a yearlong migration. And the tracking device attached to his dorsal fin is helping researchers uncover secrets about the elusive apex predator.
› 7 Gulf Coast master-planned communities among top 50 in US
Three master-planned communities on the Gulf Coast were among the 10 top-selling master-planned communities nationwide in 2025, according to a new ranking. Lakewood Ranch came in at No. 2 nationally, selling 2,085 homes in 2025. Babcock Ranch was No. 4, with 1,066 homes sold last year; and Wellen Park came in at No. 8, having sold 992 homes in 2025.
› ‘Yes in God’s backyard’: Miami zoning change would allow housing on church land
As South Florida grapples with a housing affordability crisis, the city of Miami could free up hundreds of acres of land owned by religious groups, schools, government entities and nonprofit institutions for potential affordable housing development. The city’s planning department said it has identified over 660 properties with a total of nearly 1,800 acres that fall into those categories.
› St. Johns County expects to complete some major capital projects in 2026
Fast-growing St. Johns County is in the midst of trying to keep up with transportation, utilities and recreational needs of its citizens, and county staff updated commissioners Tuesday on $820 million in infrastructure work. According to County Administrator Joy Andrews, there are now 120 capital projects that were rece antly completed or are current progressing.