'You can't make revenue,' Florida businesses lament rising gas prices
Rising fuel prices in Florida, driven by the Iran War, are significantly impacting businesses, especially in transportation and construction. Diesel prices have hit a new record high, increasing costs for trucking and potentially leading to higher consumer prices. Many small businesses are currently absorbing the increased fuel costs rather than passing them on to customers. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Infusing AI
Florida Atlantic University's College of Business is tailoring its MBA offerings for 2026 based on where business is headed — especially as artificial intelligence reshapes decision-making across industries. Through its executive education portfolio, FAU recently launched an MBA concentration in artificial intelligence, available to students in its online MBA, professional MBA and executive MBA programs. [Source: Florida Trend]
Income tax filing deadline is almost here. Here’s what to know in Florida
Tax filing season is underway and the April 15 deadline is approaching. Whether you’ve already filed or are still preparing, here’s what Florida taxpayers need to know about refunds and free filing options. The IRS says combining electronic filing with direct deposit, especially when filing early, results in the quickest refunds. Paper returns can take six to eight weeks. More from the Miami Herald and Florida Today.
Fire weather watch issued for 12 Florida counties
A fire weather watch is in effect for 12 Florida counties as drought conditions continue across the state. The watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening, with gusty winds and low humidity expected for parts of the eastern Florida Panhandle. Portions of North Florida are under exceptional drought conditions, while most of the state are under extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida's black bears are getting active again. Here's how to coexist responsibly
Florida black bears are getting more active — and hungry — as the weather warms up. Though they're most prominent in areas like the Panhandle, Ocala and Big Cypress, bears make appearances across the whole state. They've shown up in cities like Orlando, and there was a young black bear in Gainesville two years ago. "You could really run into a bear anywhere in the state of Florida," said Michael Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Bear Management Program Coordinator. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Downtown Orlando development pipeline tops $1B, but stalled projects muddy outlook
Downtown Orlando has more than $1 billion in planned development, yet relatively few projects are under construction. Downtown Orlando’s development pipeline topped $1.1 billion at the end of 2025, with another $549.8 million in early-stage proposals, according to the Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency. That marks a slight increase from roughly $960 million at the end of 2024, driven largely by rising project valuations rather than a surge in new developments.
› Brevard County to weigh AI tax breaks
The Brevard County Commission will discuss denying property tax breaks to future AI data centers. Commissioners will consider using over $66 million in state funds for south beaches sewer projects. Concerns have been raised that AI data centers create few jobs despite their large investment and infrastructure impact. While no specific data center proposal is mentioned for Brevard, such centers recently have raised controversy elsewhere in East Central Florida.
› Push to shrink Sarasota County city heads to Florida Supreme Court
Residents of the West Villages subdivisions of Wellen Park who are seeking to separate from the city of North Port in Sarasota County will take their case to the Florida Supreme Court after a recent decision by the 2nd District Court of Appeal denied their petition for a new hearing. Residents of the West Villages subdivisions of Wellen Park are seeking to separate from the city contended the City Commission has not managed the city wisely, so they petitioned for de-annexation under Chapter 171 of state statutes.
› South Florida’s e-bike boom: As popularity rises, so do injuries
E-bikes are experiencing a massive surge in popularity, nationwide and in South Florida. This rise, though, has been accompanied by a spike in accidents and emergency room visits, outpacing traditional bike risks, particularly among children and teens, who often suffer head injuries from riding faster than they can control, according to the American College of Surgeons.
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› Punta Gorda rejects 10% police pay raise proposal
Calling it a gut-wrenching decision, Mayor Debi Lux and City Council members Jeannine Polk and Janis Denton voted to deny ratifying an agreement with the Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association that would have increased police salaries by 10%. Council members Melissa Lockhart and Greg Julian voted in favor of the raises. Instead, pay increases will remain at 4%, which took effect in October.
› JAA CEO: Pay-to-play price for landing transatlantic service to Jacksonville likely to exceed $13 million
An investment of at least $13 million likely would be required to attract nonstop transatlantic service to Jacksonville International Airport, the head of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority said April 3. Speaking to the JAX Chamber Downtown Council, JAA CEO Mark VanLoh said a Jacksonville contingent shopped a $13 million package of public and private assistance to air carriers to establish a flight from JIA to London. “And they said, ‘We’ll think about it,’” he said.
› Orlando moves forward on downtown 'festival street' revamp
Orlando will soon launch two projects tied to the Church Street corridor's "festival street" revamp. The city is currently out to bid on the first phase of the project, which stretches along Church Street between the Central Florida Rail Corridor and Garland Avenue. Orlando City Council will consider a design contract April 6 with Jacobs for the second phase from the rail corridor to west of Orange Avenue. The project would remove raised sidewalks and level the street to match the surrounding walkways.
› Bucs to talk with Sports Authority about stadium renovations
At 28 years old, Raymond James Stadium is arguably near retirement age in the world of big-league sports palaces. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made little secret about the need to modernize their 65,000-seat home field. With the NFL team approaching a 2027 decision on extending its lease – and the Tampa Bay Rays also seeking about $1.15 billion in public money for a new ballpark across the street – the Bucs determined it was time to begin discussing stadium renovations, how much they will cost and who’s going to pay for them.