Florida cost of living surges as prices quintuple pace of growth
The cost of living in Florida has accelerated at nearly five times its previous pace over the last decade, driven largely by housing, insurance and rent increases that are outstripping wages and forcing some residents to consider leaving the state. A new report from Florida TaxWatch shows that while prices rose modestly through the 2010s, the rate of increase has surged in the 2020s. The state’s regional price growth averaged about 1.3% annually in the previous decade but has jumped to roughly 5.8% per year in recent years, a nearly fivefold increase. [Source: News 4 Jax]
Florida Chamber case study spotlights aviation workforce challenges
A new Florida Chamber Foundation case study is casting aviation as a key front in Florida’s workforce fight, warning that talent shortages could threaten one of the state’s biggest economic engines. Released through the Foundation’s Future of Work initiative, the report examines workforce trends in an industry that supports more than 2 million jobs and accounts for 13.5% of Florida’s GDP. The study points to an aging skilled workforce, rising demand for aviation services and a growing mismatch between available talent and employer needs. [Source: Florida Politics]
Is there red tide on any Florida beaches right now? See trackers
Whether you're a native Floridian or a seasoned visitor to the state's coasts, you know it only takes a visit from one unwanted visitor to ruin any beach day — red tide. Karenia brevis is a naturally occurring, single-celled organism belonging to a group of algae called dinoflagellates. Large concentrations can discolor water from red to brown, leading to blooms called "red tides." [Source: Florida Today]
Need more hurricane prep time? Watches and warnings could come earlier
Improved hurricane forecasts may mean longer lead times for watches and warnings, giving Florida residents an extended notice to prepare and get out of harm’s way. The last time the National Weather Service officially changed tropical cyclone watch and warning times was in 2010 when each was increased by 12 hours. But National Hurricane Center meteorologists speaking at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando said there is ongoing discussion about the potential for extending them again based on increasingly more accurate weather predictions. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
How Florida's graduate schools fared in U.S. News' national rankings
Several Florida university graduate programs are ranked among the best in the nation, including in key fields like health care and business. U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best Graduate Schools list that breaks down the top programs in business, law, nursing, medical, engineering and education. The rankings now include more than six times as many schools as prior editions in specialty fields like marketing and finance. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Palm Beach Post.
Fleeing to Florida
Snowbirds hoping to trade life in high-tax northern states for a home in the low-tax sunshine state beware: A recent ruling from the New York Tax Appeals Tribunal regarding that state's rigorous residency audits should put those claiming Florida domicile on notice about when and how they make such claims. Under New York law, domicile is a person's "fixed, permanent and principal home to which a person wherever temporarily located intends to return." [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FPL rate hike to be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court
Florida utility regulators on Tuesday rejected a motion to reevaluate their approval of Florida Power & Light’s $7 billion rate hike, saying they stood by the November decision that raised rates on roughly 12 million Floridians’ electric bills. But it’s not the end of the road for those challenging the hikes, which includes the Legislature-appointed representative for utility customers, called the public counsel. Now, the question of whether the hikes are justified must be decided by the Florida Supreme Court.
› Restaurant surge revives closed bars in downtown Orlando
Walking around downtown Orlando, it is common to pass by a heap of vacant spaces with a posted "for lease" sign — but this is changing. An array of closed bars around downtown are now becoming the new homes for different restaurants, Orlando Business Journal has learned. Jere Matheny, vice president of brokerage services at First Capital Property Group, explained how he and his team have been involved with this trend. He said the commercial real estate firm has inked the deals that led to new tenants moving into those closed bar spaces.
› FIFA Fan Festival to anchor World Cup in Miami
A sprawling waterfront fan zone planned for downtown Miami could play a central role in capturing the surge of visitors — and spending — expected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Miami-Dade County and city officials announced April 7 that Bayfront Park will host the FIFA Fan Festival during the 2026 tournament, transforming more than 436,000 square feet into a large-scale public viewing and entertainment site from June 13 through July 5.
› Forecasters: Big Bend drought needs 20 inches of rain to end
It's going to take about 15 to 20 inches of rain to quell the ongoing drought that's gripped the Big Bend area and lower portions of Georgia since November. According to Don Van Dyke, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service – Tallahassee, that amount of rain would need to happen over the course of about a month or so to "really get us completely out" of the drought.
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› Hurricane damaged office tower in St. Petersburg is up for sale
A century-old downtown St. Petersburg office building that was destroyed by a fallen crane during Hurricane Milton is now back on the market. Commercial real estate firm JLL is advertising the 1.25-acre property at 490 First Ave. S. as a land redevelopment opportunity. “The site is ideally positioned for high-rise residential development,’ the listing reads. ”The existing vacant office building will be demolished by the seller prior to closing, delivering a shovel-ready opportunity in one of Florida’s fastest-growing urban markets."
› JEA 'drama' puts hold on City Council votes for board appointees
A vote on confirming two closely watched appointments to the JEA board is on hold so City Council members have more time to get a handle on investigations swirling around the city-owned utility. "To say there's a lot going on right now with JEA is a gross understatement," City Council Rules Committee Chris Miller said in explaining his decision to postpone the confirmation votes.
› Mark Cuban backed group rideshare company expands to South Florida
Just as the price of gas is hitting record highs, a growing rideshare service based on transporting groups has set up shop in a far-flung market where burning fuel in a personal vehicle is the most common way of getting around. With $7.35 million initial backing from investors that include entrepreneur Mark Cuban and tech business incubator Y Combinator, Austin, Texas-based Fetii has expanded into South Florida, centered in Miami, the company announced Tuesday.
› Naples spearheads luxury condo market resilience
Developers have invested heavily in the Naples condominium market as of late, with ultra-luxury emphasized. Condos ripped apart by storms have been replaced with safety-first developments that boast more stories, more resilient materials and more glitteringly modern amenities than their swept-away predecessors. Strong maintenance, new development and a buyers’ market are proving productive, with the Naples Area Board of Realtors reporting an 82% increase in year-over-year pending condo sales.