Florida Chamber of Commerce reveals 2026 Legislative Report Card
The Florida Chamber of Commerce released its 2026 Legislative Report Card, where it ranked lawmakers based on their advocacy for the business community. Thirty-five lawmakers from the House and Senate received 100% score from the Chamber. “The world is continuing to watch Florida and paying attention to our economic progress and competitiveness,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson in a statement. The Chamber might issue an update after Special Session. More from Florida Politics.
Broward Health sues Florida Blue over ER care
In an escalation of the conflict between Broward Health and Florida Blue, the hospital district has filed a lawsuit against the insurer seeking payment for emergency services provided to out-of-network patients. Broward Health, also known as the North Broward Hospital District, asserts in its lawsuit that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida/Florida Blue failed to properly reimburse the hospital system for medically necessary emergency services provided to insured members. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Space Coast saw nearly 350,000 visitors for Artemis II launch
Sending humans out past the moon for the first time in more than half a century enticed nearly 350,000 people to descend on the Space Coast for the Artemis II mission that launched from Kennedy Space Center. NASA’s powerhouse Space Launch System rocket, topped with the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts, shot into space from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-B on April 1 for a 10-day trip that flew around — but didn’t land on — the moon. It marked the first time humans had left low-Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission of 1972. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Tampa technology company powers Naples' AI planning department tool
The city of Naples took a big step last year into AI by introducing the technology into its permitting process. A luddite might say it handed over a piece of its planning department to a robot. Yet nothing could be farther from the truth, says the Tampa company behind the technology, “It was intentionally built in a way that this cannot run without human intervention,” says Brittany Griffin, a principal planner at Blitz AI, the company behind the AI. More from the Business Observer.
Jacksonville Civic Council to City Council: Drop special committee’s JEA investigation
The Jacksonville Civic Council has called for City Council to end its investigation into JEA, saying “ad hoc political intervention” threatens the ability of the city’s independent authorities to attract leadership and borrow money. In a May 4 letter to Council President Kevin Carrico and Council members, the civic council noted that the JEA board has initiated internal and independent reviews in accordance with the city charter. The city’s Inspector General is examining financial questions, the letter said, and state legal authorities are also conducting reviews. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Arts Business
A 160-piece Banksy exhibit is coming to Tampa
The “world’s largest authenticated collection of privately owned Banksy art” is coming to Tampa. The 160-piece exhibit, called “The Art of Banksy,” will run at the Straz Center’s Morsani Hall Stage Aug. 1-30. It celebrates the work of the anonymous British street artist Banksy — though the exhibit itself isn’t authorized by Banksy himself.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Dining
World Equestrian Center in Ocala celebrates opening of new dining, events venue
The World Equestrian Center celebrated the grand opening of its new Equestrian Manor, a four-story dining and events venue featuring four chef-driven restaurant concepts and rooftop experiences with sweeping views of the property. It’s a massive expansion of the Ocala resort’s culinary offerings — which now total 13 — across unique, global menus crafted by world-class chefs, including James Beard-recognized talents.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.