Florida looks to attract more Canadian visitors
Tourism leaders in Florida are reaching out to their Canadian counterparts as the U.S. has seen a travel backlash over the words and actions of President Donald Trump. As Visit Florida compiles 2025 tourism figures, the agency’s President and CEO Bryan Griffin and Carol Dover, the president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, are setting up a meeting with Canadian officials. “We had this opportunity land in our lap, so we’re both going to have a meeting… and see what we can do,” Dover said. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Good news for Florida: New numbers show life expectancy hits new high
The number of years Americans born in 2024 can expect to live has hit a new peak — 79 years —with Florida residents doing even better — a life expectancy just shy of 80, according to new federal data. The statistic released Jan. 30 is considered a key measure of the nation’s wellness — with the new surge in life expectancy reflecting the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 epidemic and the decline in drug overdoses. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
State Department announces no citizen initiatives made 2026 ballot; pot campaign calls it premature
Florida’s State Department announced no citizen initiatives turned in enough verified signatures before a Sunday deadline to appear on the 2026 ballot. But the campaign behind a proposed recreational marijuana ballot measure believes county elections offices may have submitted enough verified signatures, a dispute that may end up in court. For now, it appears no citizen-proposed constitutional amendments will appear on Florida’s statewide ballot for the first election cycle in decades. More from Florida Politics and the News Service of Florida.
How to keep Florida's record cold temps from spiking your electric bill
Record cold temperatures in Florida this week could result in higher overall electric bills here as more Florida residents crank up the heat in their homes. But there are things homeowners can do to keep their electric bills down this winter no matter what the weather is like outside, Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy officials say. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
Comparing grocery prices in Florida: One food item has sharply dropped
While national inflation is slowing, Florida residents are still seeing high grocery prices. Egg prices have fallen significantly, but costs for items like coffee and beef have risen sharply. Florida ranks among the top ten states for highest overall grocery costs and price increases. The USDA predicts that overall food prices will continue to increase in 2026. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Heart Institute provides specialized care for children and young adults with congenital and acquired heart conditions. The Institute offers medical management, interventional cardiology, and advanced pediatric cardiac surgery supported by comprehensive imaging, intensive care, and coordinated specialty services. Families benefit from a collaborative, family-centered model designed to support patients at every stage of their cardiac journey. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Artemis II launch pushed to March after leak, issues during rocket test
NASA's last major test of the Artemis II moon rocket did not go as hoped, with the test running into the early hours of Tuesday, Feb. 3 and ending with a hydrogen leak recurring in the rocket. As a result, the launch was pushed back to no earlier than March 6. The test was supposed to simulate launch day operations, including fueling the rocket with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen up until T-33 seconds. The NASA teams didn't get that far.
› What’s next for Miami-Dade’s government watchdog? A fight over hiring rules
A hearing on Monday centered on a touchy subject for the Miami-Dade County Commission: Who gets to investigate commissioners? The debate got heated, with commissioners arguing over whether they should be rewriting the hiring rules for a position that recently launched an investigation that has a former commissioner facing prison time and is currently investigating a charity tied to a sitting commissioner.
› Chef behind Orlando's only 2-Michelin-star restaurant reveals plans for new concept
The chef behind Orlando’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant has revealed plans to open another concept in Orlando. Sorekara’s chef William Shen is partnering with James Beard-nominated restaurateur Johnny Tung to open the restaurant toward the end of the year, according to a news release. The duo noted the name of the new eatery is “not yet disclosed,” but it will serve Spanish- and Japanese-inspired dishes.
› Rays tell Hillsborough they’ll cover at least 50% of Tampa stadium cost
The first official details of the commitment the Tampa Bay Rays are seeking from Hillsborough County have emerged less than a month after the team formally honed in on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus as a stadium site. The Rays intend to cover at least 50% of the stadium cost, cover construction cost overruns and fully fund future repairs, maintenance and renovations.
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› Manatee County to protect 1,500 acres of ranch land
Manatee County commissioners recently authorized the protection of more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land from development. The properties include 1,045 acres at Thundercloud Ranch and 483 acres at Mossy Island Ranch. Through a partnership with the state, Manatee County will contribute up to $2 million toward their preservation.
› A Miami-Dade music teacher just won a Grammy Award
South Florida public schools and one of its teachers got a shoutout at the nationally televised Grammys. Jennifer Jimenez, band director at South Miami Senior High School, won the Recording Academy’s Music Educator Award at Sunday night’s ceremony held in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS.
› Global banking tech firm ramps up Orlando expansion
Barb Morgan, chief product and technology officer for Switzerland-based banking software company Temenos, said one of the first people the company spoke to when considering locations for its innovation hub was its customers. Morgan told Orlando Business Journal it considered a number of markets for its expansion, including Orlando and Austin, Texas.
› Sarasota hospital uses strong bond ratings to fund $1B in projects
Sarasota Medical Health Care System is taking advantage of strong bond ratings to advance more than $1 billion in capital projects. Having recently begun construction on its new $507 million North Port campus with several other expansion projects underway, the system reports, the capital projects are supported by strong and upgraded bond ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.