How AI and social media are fueling Florida scam losses
Just over 6% of online scams perpetrated nationwide are against Floridians, the Consumer Federation of America found. Spread across the state’s population, the $7.7 billion in annual losses equates to roughly $330 per resident. Florida is behind only California and Texas in overall losses. Driving the uptick in online scams are technological advancements. AI has dramatically increased the sophistication of online fraud. At the same time, he said, the government agencies tasked with combating online scams have been hamstrung by funding cuts. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Bowman Brown
Bowman tells us: "In the early ’60s, Florida-chartered banks weren’t allowed to operate outside of a single county. You can imagine the constraints that put on the growth of banks. A good part of my career I spent trying to break those barriers down. We had a lot of creative ideas that really did help break down the barriers to interstate banking for Florida as well as for the country." [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida promised to restore a quarter of the state's reef by 2050. So where's the funding?
A state goal to restore 25% of Florida’s ailing reef by 2050 is in danger of stumbling after money to cover the second phase of the program was left out of the Legislature's proposed budget. The omission has left more than a dozen rescue teams around the state scrambling for money to keep restoration on track and staff paid while supporters rally state lawmakers to reinstate funding. The program marked Florida’s first long-term promise to fix the 350-mile long reef. [Source: WLRN]
Havana will allow Cubans abroad to own businesses on the island, trade minister says
Cubans living in Miami and elsewhere will be able to invest and own private businesses on the island, the country’s deputy prime minister said Monday, confirming earlier reporting by the Miami Herald. Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga told NBC News that “Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies” and “also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants.” [Source: Miami Herald]
New study: Florida among most risky states for driving during Spring Break
With Spring Break fully in action throughout much of Florida, a new study shows there’s considerable risk driving in the Sunshine State. The analysis conducted by Kuzyk Law, Bakersfield Personal Injury Lawyers looked at Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from the U.S. Department of Transportation to compile a list of states with the most dangerous roads during Spring Break. In terms of crashes per capita, Florida was among the 10 states where drivers are most likely to get into Spring Break auto accidents. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› ‘Dry to the bone’: Drought squeezes Everglades airboat operators
The extreme drought conditions didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of more than a year of drier-than-average conditions, and climate change is expected to make droughts like this even more extreme. This year water levels in Everglades National Park are more than six inches lower than last year and over a foot lower than the year before that, the Everglades Foundation reported. Meteorologists are calling it the driest drought Florida has seen in 25 years.
› Tech growth rewrites Naples’ economic landscape
Naples isn’t selling sunshine as its top attraction for techies. It’s the emerging opportunities that await them. A new analysis by CommercialCafe ranks the Naples-Marco Island metro area 17th among Southern tech hubs in its 2026 report, placing it first in tech establishment growth, up 47.1% since 2019. Tech employment has climbed 57.6%, with median salaries topping $113,000. Tampa ranked 11th.
› Group behind 'Sesame Street' sues SeaWorld parent company over royalties, alleged brand misuse
Elmo and his friends may be leaving SeaWorld Orlando due to a legal battle sparked between Sesame Workshop, the New York-based nonprofit behind Sesame Street, and SeaWorld Orlando’s parent company United Parks & Resorts Inc. The nonprofit is seeking to end its more than 40-year partnership with SeaWorld's parent company.
› Tampa-St. Pete retail market ranks among nation’s strongest
Retail investors continue to view the Tampa-St. Petersburg region as one of the strongest markets in the United States. A new retail investment forecast from Marcus & Millichap ranks the metro sixth nationally, highlighting the region’s population growth, limited retail construction and steady consumer spending. The ranking covers the broader Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, which includes St. Petersburg and much of Pinellas County.
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› Leu Gardens plans renovations for its next era — but neighbors are concerned
Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens has exploded in popularity, tripling its visitation since the mid-1990s and bringing people from around the world to see its famed rose garden and collections of camellias and azaleas. Since early last year, its leadership has been planning a major renovation to the garden, which they say will help it accommodate its growth and allow it to remain a gem for decades to come. But elements of the project have concerned neighbors and a city commissioner.
› St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport names new director
A familiar face is now officially in charge of the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Pinellas County officials announced Monday. Mark Sprague, 61, will now take on the lead role at the county-owned airport. He’s been serving as interim director of the airport ever since former director Thomas Jewsbury retired in October.
› JEA resource fair will help seniors with utility bills
JEA will host its monthly senior resource fair Wednesday to share tips with customers about how they can reduce their utility bills. JEA officials will be on hand to help people understand their utility bills, learn ways to reduce energy use and connect with community resources. The event comes as some customers may have received higher-than-normal electric bills after early February’s cold snap, which increased energy usage across Northeast Florida.
› Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection plans Miami-Caribbean sailings
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection plans a series of Caribbean voyages for the winter 2027–2028 cruise season, including sailings departing from PortMiami. Details of the schedule were announced March 12. The global program includes more than 60 voyages running from October 2027 through May 2028 aboard the company’s three yachts — Ilma, Evrima and Luminara.