A ‘super El Niño’ could form later this year. Here’s how it would affect hurricane season.
Forecasters expect El Niño to develop this summer, possibly strengthening into a “super El Niño” by October and hindering hurricane formation. El Niño patterns typically increase high altitude wind shear over the Atlantic Basin during summer and fall, which can topple hurricanes as they form over the ocean. The current La Niña is fading. And there’s a 62% chance of El Niño developing during June, July and August, according to forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida lawmakers had a quiet session on education. What comes next?
As is often the case, Florida lawmakers ended their spring session debating a wide-ranging education bill aimed at addressing as many issues as possible. Even while touting the several topics that were included, Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, highlighted “big bullet points” that didn’t make it in, each of which had generated heated opposition. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Mark Wilson: Florida has momentum; the next four years matter most
Florida rarely thinks small, and eight years ago, business and community leaders made a bold decision to prove what long-term visionary, planning, unity and accountability could accomplish. In 2018, the Florida Chamber Foundation launched the Florida 2030 Blueprint, a 10-year state strategic plan for 2020-2030, with a clear objective: to position Florida as a Top 10 global economy by 2030 while ensuring prosperity reaches every family and every community. Today, we are closer to that objective. [Source: Florida Politics]
Why eco-friendly design is the new luxury in Florida real estate
Luxury in real estate has traditionally been defined by prime location, exceptional design, premium materials, exclusive amenities, privacy, security, high market value and lifestyle prestige. In its conventional expression, luxury emphasizes comfort, status and exclusivity. But do these features truly reflect the meaning of luxury, especially in a complex, high-risk environment such as the state of Florida? In an environment where climate risks are visible and quantifiable, durability, adaptability and resilience under stress are emerging as the true markers of modern luxury. [Source: The Invading Sea]
Statewide training launching for aspiring Florida farmers
For anyone who’s dreamed of becoming the owner of their own farm, the journey can feel daunting. Between business planning, marketing and the unique challenges of producing goods in a dynamic economic environment, getting a business off the ground can feel like an up-hill battle. That’s why the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), in partnership with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), is expanding its Small Farm Start-Up School to be statewide and include more resources for burgeoning farmers. [Source: Florida Trend]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› How a female construction CEO in Miami is breaking a male-dominated industry
When Patricia Bonilla arrived in the United States in 1992, she was a 22-year-old civil engineer from the Dominican Republic with a suitcase, a young family and a plan to earn her master’s degree. Little did she know that one day she would lead a thriving construction firm in South Florida. Today, Bonilla is the CEO and founder of Lunacon Construction Group, a company that will celebrate 20 years in business next year.
› What kept Ocklawaha River bill from a final vote in state Legislature?
Legislation to restore the Ocklawaha River by removing the Rodman Dam failed to get a final vote in the Florida Senate. The bill passed the House with overwhelming support but was reportedly blocked by Senate leadership. Supporters argue removing the dam would improve the health of the St. Johns River, while opponents want to preserve the Rodman Reservoir. This marks the second consecutive year that efforts to restore the river have been defeated in the state legislature.
› As health care cuts bite, Tampa Bay residents turn to last resort providers
In the Tampa Bay region, almost one in five low-income residents under 65 does not have health insurance. The stark finding from a survey conducted by a coalition of seven local hospital systems and health departments in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties comes amid concerns that even more Floridians will soon have to scrape by without health insurance. Florida’s uninsurance rate in 2024 was 10.9%, more than 2 percentage points higher than the national average.
› Street art battle: No settlement reached between Fort Lauderdale and state
Fort Lauderdale remains bound and determined to keep its colorful street art despite a statewide crackdown launched months ago by the Florida Department of Transportation. Attorneys for both sides were working on a settlement agreement but were unable to do so by the March 12 deadline set by an administrative law judge for the state. Both parties have requested the judge set a one-day final hearing on the matter for May 28 or May 29.
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› February brings sharp rise in closed home sales across Northeast Florida's six counties
With many homes on the market and falling interest rates, buyers have shown increased activity lately, a recent report from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors says. The February report showed that closed sales for single-family homes totaled 1,469 transactions, a 26.7% increase from the previous month. January showed a paltry 1,115 transactions.
› How Miami became a launchpad for cross-border payment startups
On any given day in Miami, money is moving in every direction. A contractor in Doral sends earnings back to family in Colombia. A logistics firm wires payment to a supplier in Mexico. A startup founder pays a remote team spread across several countries in Latin America. These transactions power everyday life across the Americas. Yet the systems behind them often still feel stuck in another decade.
› Fort Myers advances $29.5M Midtown infrastructure phase
Fort Myers is moving forward with the first phase of its long-awaited Midtown Streetscape and Utility Replacement Project. City Council on March 16 authorized a guaranteed maximum price of $29,485,399.99 with AIM Construction Contracting. The area, a neighborhood adjacent to downtown, includes restaurants and shops, professional services, murals and a mix of older homes and new construction.
› Florida judge rules red light cameras unconstitutional. Now what?
A Broward County judge ruled that red-light cameras are unconstitutional in a specific case. The ruling states that citations unfairly presume the vehicle's owner was the driver. This specific ruling only applies to the one case but could be cited in future legal challenges.