Wednesday’s Afternoon Update

Data shows Florida hurricane landfalls drop sharply during El Niño

Hurricane Idalia was the only U.S. landfalling hurricane in 2023 and a rare major hurricane to hit Florida during a strong El Niño year. El Niño typically reduces Atlantic hurricane activity by creating storm-shredding wind shear. Conversely, La Niña years have seen more hurricanes make landfall in the U.S., including ten hurricanes in Florida. The Climate Prediction Center will release its next forecast on the El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, on Thursday, May 14. More from Florida Today.

FSU Panama City Small Business Executive Program celebrates first graduating class

The Panama City Small Business Executive Program, operated by Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, celebrated its first-ever graduating cohort. The achievement marks a significant milestone for small business leadership development in the Northwest Florida region. The program’s partnership with the Florida State University Panama City campus created a collaborative environment where local business leaders could learn, connect and grow together. More from Florida Trend.

Senate budget chief says ‘no’ to Rays funding without local support

A key Republican senator on Tuesday threw cold water on the Legislature assigning $150 million to help the Tampa Bay Rays build a new stadium in Hillsborough County. Sen. Ed Hooper, a Clearwater Republican who leads the Senate budget committee, told reporters that he didn’t think the state should be assigning any money to the effort until local governments reach agreements with the Rays. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Is Miami-Dade trapped by big-tech legacy systems?

Concentration of technology contracts in fewer hands and a bias toward incumbents winning future purchases is costing Miami-Dade millions because county officials find it hard to change vendors once they’re hooked on a platform, commissioners said last week. As commissioners looked at an emergency contract for database management support, they pointed to the plethora of contracts that seem to lock in the county in perpetuity because one vendor alone is able to keep broad swaths of its technology operating. More from Miami Today.

Council approves JEA survey on workplace culture

A Jacksonville City Council investigation into JEA rolled forward May 12 with Council approving plans to commission a survey of current and former employees of the city-owned utility about its workplace culture. With a 13-5 vote on Ordinance 2026-0268, Council approved a plan for Council President Kevin Carrico to execute a contract with California-based SelectionLink Inc., a human relations firm, for $9,250. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Building financial strength across Florida: The VyStar story

Florida's economy continues to grow and evolve, driven by population growth, workforce expansion, and a dynamic mix of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families. But alongside that growth, many Floridians are navigating rising costs, debt, and financial uncertainty. In this environment, strong, community-based financial institutions play a critical role in keeping the state's economic engine moving forward. [Sponsored report]

Florida Trend Mention

2026 ACEC Florida Transportation Conference Join ACEC Florida and FDOT at the 2026 Transportation Conference, May 28-29, 2026, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. This event offers valuable continuing education opportunities and a chance to network with FDOT policymakers and transportation consultants. Designed for technical professionals both inside and outside of government, attendees include professional engineers, planners, and consultants from the public and private sectors, all focused on transportation. Learn more and register here.