Hurricane season forecast is ‘below normal’ — but that comes with a warning
There’s clear intent in the tropics this hurricane season as it sprints toward a storm-shredding El Niño and leaves additional clues that triggered another 2026 seasonal forecast for below normal activity. NOAA’s prediction of eight to 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes, is the first time since 2015 that its Climate Prediction Center forecast for a less active season that begins June 1. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Miami Herald.
Business Beat - Week of May 22nd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by associate editor Brian Hartz.
Over 500K Florida residents have fled the state. Here’s where they moved
While the prospect of increased population growth is expected to help bolster the state’s GDP and job growth, it’s also sparked concerns about a rising cost of living as more people flood the state. But even though plenty of people have decided to move to Florida, there was also a huge chunk of people who wanted to leave. USCB data shows that just over 510,000 Florida residents went to other areas of the U.S. in 2023. [Source: Click Orlando]
Behind closed doors: How Florida’s budget gets made
Florida legislative leaders are negotiating behind closed doors on next year's state budget. The secrecy isn’t abnormal, but that doesn't mean everyone is happy about it. There’s currently a special session focused on getting the job done, and as Floridians wait to see a finished budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis even compared it to the selection of the pope. [Source: WUSF]
Supreme Court says cruise lines are liable for using confiscated port in Havana
In a landmark decision several years into fierce litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday reversed an appeals court order that had tossed a $400 million judgment against four cruise-ship companies that took passengers to Cuba and were sued for damages for “trafficking in confiscated property” by a company owning a concession at the port of Havana. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando is emerging as a top metro for women-owned businesses, outpacing peers within the Sunshine State
Orlando is emerging as one of the top metropolitan areas in the nation for women-owned businesses, outpacing larger Florida cities and similar markets across the country. For Debbie Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, an Altamonte Springs-based construction contractor, that gap has become an opportunity to build both a business and a pathway for other women entering an industry long defined by male leadership.
› Broward asks court to order Spirit to pay $3M in past-due airport fees, clear path for new tenants
Amid the sea of debts generated by the shuttered Spirit Airlines after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the pile of unpaid bills owed to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport now amounts to approximately $3 million, according to a court filing by the Broward County Attorney’s Office this week. The tally isn’t over. Now, according to the filing, the delinquent amount could reach as high as $6 million.
› On the rise: Miami area shines in new global ecosystem ranking
As a startup ecosystem, Miami is moving on up and growing faster nearly all of its peers. That’s the big finding in a new global ecosystem ranking, where the Miami metro area made a particularly strong showing. The recently published Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 is StartupBlink’s 9th-annual ranking of 1,556 cities and 100 countries, produced in collaboration with more than 100 government partners.
› BayCare and UnitedHealthcare have 10 days left to reach agreement
The clock is ticking for patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance plans who rely on BayCare doctors to keep healthy. Earlier this year, thousands of patients received notification that a dispute between the medical nonprofit and the insurance company over reimbursement rates could put their care into limbo. Now, the countdown has intensified.
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› What do the super-wealthy want in Miami? See what they like — and don’t
Billionaires have dreams, too — and not only of lower taxes. Patrick Dwyer and Gregory Pool, managing directors with NewEdge Wealth Aligned Miami, a wealth advisory firm in Brickell, know what they are. The two talk to their super-wealthy and more modestly wealthy clients nearly every day, helping them manage their money, to learn what’s on their minds and advise them of future trends.
› Bradenton RV dealer gets partner, $60 million infusion
A pair of Florida luxury RV dealers are merging in a deal that includes a $60 million infusion to support growth. The dealerships are The Motorcoach Store, based in Bradenton, and Millennium Luxury Coaches, based in Sandford. The combined stores are expected to reach $200 million in combined sales by 2027.
› Kissimmee halts processing new ethics complaints as it revises its rules
Amid two ongoing ethics investigations into the activities of the city’s mayor and a commissioner — and with two new complaints filed recently — the Kissimmee City Commission decided this week to halt evaluating complaints until a new process can be adopted. In a 3-2 vote commissioners agreed to pause handling ethics complaints for a period of up to 6 months, until a new system can be devised.
› Sports betting increases Paysafe’s business
Sports gambling is increasing business for payment processing company Paysafe Ltd., with the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament creating more opportunities for growth. Paysafe is officially headquartered in London but its North American headquarters is in Jacksonville,. The company became centered in Jacksonville after it went public in 2020 by merging with a special purpose acquisition company formed by Bill Foley, chairman of Jacksonville-based title insurer Fidelity National Financial Inc.