What areas of Florida could face biggest threat this hurricane season?
While AccuWeather is predicting a near- or below-average number of storms in 2026, "it only takes one" and forecasters are predicting three to five could have a direct impact on the United States this year. "The areas I’m most concerned about are from Tampa northward through the Big Bend of Florida toward the New Orleans area, as well as the Carolinas, including the Outer Banks down toward the North-South Carolina border,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Miami Herald.
Limited Apalachicola oyster season could be new normal
For the region, the two-month commercial oyster season that wrapped up in February was like spring training is for baseball: a time to get back in shape and prepare for longer days in an atmosphere that stirred excitement and hope for the future. When the harvest began in January, commercial oyster skiffs dotted the Apalachicola Bay for the first time in five years. Out-of-state tourists began calling businesses to make sure they could get some of the local, wild-caught mollusks. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.
Impacts on PortMiami of Iran attacks slow to assess
Nearly one month after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, South Florida has experienced minimal impacts on trade and operations have not been disrupted, according to PortMiami. The chief strategy officer of a third-party logistics company says otherwise. “It’s actually really having some repercussions on trade,” said Gary Goldfarb, the chief strategy officer of Interport Logistics. More from Miami Today.
FedEx taps Orlando firm OneRail to power same-day shipping as Amazon, others raise stakes
A heavyweight of American shipping, e-commerce and logistics is upping the ante for how it serves its customers, and an Orlando firm will play a significant role in making that happen. Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx Corp. announced Tuesday its new FedEx SameDay Local service. The addition brings same-day shipping to the table as an option for FedEx customers in a move that comes as companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Target continue to raise the stakes for speedy delivery. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Sarasota angel investors back local software startup
A group of angel investors in Sarasota has backed a Sarasota-based software development startup. Bridge Angel Investors invested in Wire Wallet, which provides a noncustodial crypto wallet. Founded in 2025, Wire Wallet says it creates a secure Web3 wallet experience; Web3 is a decentralized internet model using blockchain technology that enables users to own the platform. More from the Business Observer.
Arts Business
Edwards Foundation launches campaign for South St. Pete arts center
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts has announced the launch of its “10 for Tomorrow” capital campaign, a $10 million initiative to build a new community arts center in South St. Petersburg. The project would convert an existing structure into a year-round performing arts and education facility focused on youth programming, family engagement and career development opportunities in the arts.
» More from the St. Pete Catalyst.
Florida Trend Exclusive
‘A place with soul’
What promises to be one of the most transformative large-scale commercial developments in Pensacola's history has cleared a major hurdle with the pending sale of the 540-acre property now branded as "Outlying Fields." The $42.5-million deal, on track for an early July closing, involves Escambia County, which bought the former helicopter training field from the U.S. Navy in 2019 for $18 million, and Pensacola-based Chad Henderson Enterprises partnering with Alabama-based Tri-W Development.
» Read more from Florida Trend.