Clock ticking for Florida lawmakers to strike deal on property tax changes
Florida House lawmakers have advanced several proposals to cut property taxes, but time is running short to reach a deal with the Senate. Proposals range from phasing out non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties to lowering assessment caps, but none detail how cities and counties would replace lost revenue. State analysts estimate the plans could cost local governments between $6.7 billion and $18.3 billion statewide. [Source: WTVT]
Florida braces for another massive teemeperature plunge
Florida will experience a significant temperature drop as a strong cold front moves through the state. The cold, dry winds accompanying the front are increasing concerns about the risk of wildfires. Thirty-five Florida counties are under burn bans from Collier to Alachua, and 99% of the state is in some stage of drought, including 43% in extreme drought. A new drought report will be released Feb. 19. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida nurseries face millions in losses after historic freeze devastates tropical plants
Agriculture across Florida is still recovering from a devastating cold snap that struck the state a couple of weeks ago, leaving once-lush green nurseries brown and barren with losses potentially reaching into the millions of dollars. At East Coast Nursery in Indiantown, co-owner Mark Rutizer is surveying what he calls "catastrophic loss" after the historic freeze destroyed more than 50% of his trees. The damage represents an estimated $1 million in losses for his family-owned business. [Source: WFLX]
Florida to give $50M to local law agencies for immigration enforcement
The State Board of Immigration Enforcement (SBIE) is set to approve another $53 million in awards for local law enforcement agencies. About half of those funds are being allocated to only one county. While $14 million of the funds are for new awards, the other $39 million is for 12 law enforcement agencies that are amending their original budgets with additional requests – most of which is for equipment. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida ranks tops in U.S. for shark bites but another country is the deadliest
More shark bites were logged in the U.S. last year than anywhere else in the world with Florida ranking highest for unprovoked incidents, but Australia suffered the most fatal attacks, according to a report from the International Shark Attack File. The annual tally of shark bites, released Feb. 18 by the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, found there were 65 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025. That’s slightly less than the 10-year-average of 72 bites. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Kissimmee commissioners vote to extend their term limits, but voters will get final say
Kissimmee commissioners voted to extend term limits Tuesday night, allowing them to serve up to 12 years in office. But voters will still have their say in an August referendum. State law caps lawmakers, cabinet members and school board members to eight-year term limits. Currently, county commissioners have no state-mandated term limit after the failure of a controversial 2025 proposal that aimed to restrict them to eight years.
› Florida Cabinet to consider giving 22 acres for Rays stadium in Tampa
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet will consider conveying 22 acres of non-conservation land to Hillsborough College for a Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium, according to an agenda item released this week for a Feb. 24 meeting. DeSantis has previously said he supports the Rays’ quest to build a ballpark at the 113-acre Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College. A decision next week would solidify his commitment to the project.
› Regulators order NJ company to stop issuing auto warranties in Florida
Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has ordered that an automobile extended warranty company stop writing policies in the state while demanding it honor claims from policies already written. The office said in a statement Tuesday that American Dream Auto Protect has been ordered to cease operating here after entering into agreements without a license or approval from the office.
› South Beach Wine & Food Festival expected to exceed $34 million impact
The 25th annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival will take place Feb. 19–22, marking a milestone year for the four-day culinary event in Miami Beach. Produced by Florida International University and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the festival is expected to bring together more than 500 chefs, winemakers and spirit producers across events spanning Miami Beach and greater Miami.
More stories ...
› West Palm Beach eyes bigger role in booming defense industry
West Palm Beach is known for sunshine, tourism, and luxury living. But city leaders say they want to add something new to that reputation: becoming a hub for national defense and high-tech innovation. Top Pentagon officials, defense executives and university leaders gathered in downtown West Palm Beach for the Defense Tech Leadership Summit — an event hosted by Related Ross in partnership with Amazon Web Services and Vanderbilt University.
› FGCU report: SWFL economy slows, tourism gains
Southwest Florida’s economy showed signs of slowing at the end of 2025, while the tourism sector accelerated, according to the Florida Gulf Coast University Regional Economic Research Institute’s February Economic Outlook Report. Seasonally adjusted real taxable sales fell 2.3% in September, unemployment rose slightly to 5.4%, and job growth remained flat through December, “a clear signal of broad-based labor market cooling,” FGCU economists wrote.
› Gatorland heads list of top roadside attractions in U.S.
Gatorland is the nation’s most popular roadside attraction, according to a new survey that weighs TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram posts and worldwide Google searches. The Orlando animal attraction, operating since 1949, edged out Sun Studio of Memphis, Tennessee, in the rankings, which were released by Betway Casino, which analyzed the statistics for more than 80 roadside attractions in the United States.
› Wynwood Freebees will link to downtown and Brickell
The Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) is expanding its Freebee electric ride service to include Edgewater and Midtown. The expansion includes a new connection to Miami’s Metromover at the 15th Street station, providing a free, convenient option for people traveling from Downtown and Brickell to reach Wynwood without a car.