Florida blueberry industry faces major losses after historic frost
North and Central Florida blueberry growers often experience temperatures in the upper 20s in January, so after receiving notice of the freezing weather, Florida blueberry farmers prepared as usual. However, this was no ordinary cold snap. Florida blueberry growers have survived hurricanes and wild weather, but this kind of frost was never in the cards. [Source: Fresh Fruit Portal]
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» Blueberry crop loss wipes out 2,000 jobs in Central Florida
Florida’s rural roads face 73% traffic surge
Traffic on Florida’s rural roads is expected to increase by 73% by 2045, according to a new study by a national transportation research nonprofit (TRIP). The study shows that congestion and freight demands are increasing along with the population and economy of the Sunshine State. The report also touched on the dangers of this increase, as these roads reportedly have a high fatality rate. [Source: WCTV]
A behind the scenes look at reporting on Florida commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is Florida's first industry and still remains one of the state's most economically important ones. Florida's commercial fisheries generate about $3.2 billion in income and support 76,700 jobs, according to NOAA Fisheries. However, the development of marinas, resorts and restaurants has priced out commercial fishers from the waterfront property where they need to work. [Source: TC Palm]
Florida never told its opioid advisory council $4 million was spent on anti-marijuana ads
A statewide advisory board set up to oversee how Florida spends millions of dollars from a nationwide opioid settlement deal was never told that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office directed more than $4 million from that fund to a media blitz designed to defeat a 2024 ballot initiative to legalize marijuana. Sixteen months after members raised questions, they still have no answers from the state about the process that shifted the money into the coffers of a marketing firm. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Chamber: Childhood poverty continues to decline
Florida’s childhood poverty rate continued to decline over the past year, with 3,192 fewer children living in poverty statewide, according to a new analysis from the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative. Despite having more children overall, Florida reduced the number of children living in poverty from 714,768 to 711,576. Since the Initiative launched, the number of children living in poverty has fallen by more than 200,000. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› ‘I can’t stay in Miami’: Why are young people leaving the South Florida city?
Miami ranked the third-highest city in a national survey of young people, ages 18 to 34, with no children who said they were “very likely” or “likely” to leave their town, according to Gensler, a global design and architecture firm that conducted the survey. Tampa ranked 10th at 45.2 percent. In contrast, San Diego and Boston have much smaller percentages of young people fleeing, with both cities under 30 percent.
› Jacksonville-based Urban SDK receives $65 million investment
Jacksonville-based Urban SDK, a technology company that creates software for governments, announced Feb. 5 that it received a $65 million investment from Riverwood Capital. Urban SDK says its geospatial AI tools help deploy resources to address everyday concerns like citizen complaints and traffic enforcement, and assist in emergency operations.
› Orlando's wealth rapidly spikes: Here's where
Central Florida’s wealth has increased significantly, unlocking new brands and interest in the region. Median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau analyzed by Orlando Business Journal shows Central Florida households are significantly wealthier than they were just a few years ago. Even after years of unusually high inflation, the median household income has grown faster than the increased cost of goods.
› NY, Idaho among feeder states for Sarasota, Manatee growth
One way to tell who’s moving to the Sunshine State and from where comes from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which handles driver’s licenses. Through out-of-state driver's license exchanges, it tracks when new Florida residents obtain a Florida license after moving, providing the origin state and destination county. Recently, Florida Realtors released 2025 out-of-state driver’s license exchange data for Sarasota and Manatee counties, showing some patterns and trends.
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› Water-shortage warnings are issued for Miami-Dade and the Keys
Ongoing, worrisome drought conditions across South Florida prompted water managers to issue a water-shortage warning for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties on Friday. With less than four inches of rain since November, the South Florida Water Management District said water levels in the Biscayne Aquifer have fallen dramatically. In some places, levels are the lowest in more than a decade, which can increase the risk of saltwater intrusion in freshwater supplies.
› Cape Canaveral Radisson expansion plans include major stormwater overhaul for Banana River
Three new hotels, more convention space and a multi‑level parking garage at the Cape Canaveral Radisson await a master plan for how to keep water runoff from further fouling the Banana River Lagoon. It's in the early stages of permitting but a team of developers have floated a master stormwater plan for their proposed expansion at the Radisson Resort at the Port in Cape Canaveral.
› How are Jacksonville shoppers 'grocery hacking' with multi-store trips?
Every weekend, cars loaded up with groceries and goodies at Jacksonville's Sam’s Club and Costco stores zip out of the parking lot and down the street. But they aren’t going home just yet — they are headed a few miles down the road to Publix, Aldi or Walmart for “the rest of the list.” This type of “grocery hacking” is becoming more popular. Instead of one big weekly grocery trip, shoppers are splitting their carts between a warehouse club and a traditional supermarket.
› Tampa airport unveils final design for new $1.5B airside terminal
Tampa International Airport’s governing board has approved the final designs for Airside D, a $1.52 billion new airside terminal that marks the airport’s largest expansion project in nearly 20 years. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors approved the final design for the new, 16-gate airside terminal during its Thursday meeting, authorizing a $902 million supplemental contract and allowing construction to begin on the project later this year.