Officials: ‘We can’t let our guard down’ despite sunny hurricane forecast
For weeks, weather experts have predicted a “below-average” 2026 Atlantic hurricane season beginning Monday, with a total of 13 named storms. But emergency management officials across Florida fear the somewhat sunny forecast may lead residents to develop a sense of complacency — especially after last season, when not a single tropical storm or hurricane struck the state. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also:
» Hurricane forecasts are overwhelming. Here’s how to read them
Business Beat - Week of May 29th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by associate editor Brian Hartz.
Poll: Rising food costs are putting Florida residents in debt
Rising food costs are pushing Floridians into debt, new poll results show. Nearly 50% of respondents said their debt has increased in the past year due to the cost of food, according to the poll conducted by Aspect Strategic on behalf of No Kid Hungry Florida. Eighty-two percent of respondents said the cost of food is rising faster than their income and 70% said their financial situation has suffered in the past 12 months due to the cost of food. [Source: The Center Square]
Florida legislature expected to approve budget Friday, and then DeSantis plans to cut it
With the Legislature set to vote Friday on a $114.5 billion spending plan that includes nearly 2,000 member projects, Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to use his line-item veto. Legislators are expected to make a quick vote Friday on the budget, concluding a special session. On Monday, they will return for a new special session to consider DeSantis’ proposal for a property tax-slashing measure on the November ballot. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Prepaid opens year-round enrollment for college savings plans
Florida families now have more flexibility to save for college through Florida Prepaid. The Florida Prepaid College Board announced that Florida’s Prepaid 529 Plans are now available for enrollment year-round for the first time in the program’s more than 35-year history. The change removes the traditional open enrollment window and allows families to start saving when they are ready. [Source: WFTV]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Can Miami Beach fix pipes and stop flooding without raising costs for residents?
In Miami Beach, the water keeps rising. Streets keep flooding. Pipes keep failing. Making streets dry and updating aging infrastructure, officials say, will cost more than $1 billion over the next eight years. But after a Miami Beach City Commission meeting last week, it’s unclear how the city will pay for it.
› Southwest Florida tourism bounces back despite statewide dip
New Florida tourism numbers show a slight dip to start the year, but some Southwest Florida businesses say they are still seeing strong crowds. Multiple business owners in Lee County say the first quarter felt like pre-Hurricane Ian. On Sanibel Island, Katy Forret with Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille says this season finally started to feel a little more normal.
› Buddhist group’s Everglades case against Army Corps set aside by federal judge
A Fort Lauderdale federal judge has stayed a lawsuit brought by a Buddhist group which alleges that a component of the Everglades restoration project operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers poses a threat to the environment near the group’s expansive retreat in Weston.
› Cemex expands Tampa Bay terminal as Florida construction accelerates
Cemex and Port Tampa Bay completed a $36 million expansion of a marine aggregate terminal that will increase the flow of raw construction materials into Tampa Bay as developers push to keep pace with rising housing and infrastructure demand across Florida. The project includes a $29 million investment from Cemex and a $7 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.
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› How Breeze Airways became TPA’s ‘growth engine’
When Breeze Airways first took flight from Tampa International Airport five years ago, its goal was to develop a loyal following through low fares and access to underserved markets. On Wednesday, the airline celebrated its anniversary at TPA and shared just how quickly it's grown. Later this year, Breeze is launching five international routes out of Tampa, and as of March, it accounted for 4.11% of the total market share at TPA.
› Watch out for phone scammers impersonating South Florida cops, authorities warn
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have recently received multiple reports of scammers pretending to be with MCSO, law enforcement or jail officials. Deputies said scammers are using fake court documents and notifications regarding nonexistent traffic or criminal infractions and some of the scams were targeting people who were already facing criminal charges.
› 2026 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art weaves global cultures and ideas
Orlando Museum of Art’s annual showcase of Florida artists returns this year with an expanded footprint and a selection of creators representing the diverse tapestry of the Sunshine State. The 12th annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art brings a curated selection of a dozen artists (including two pairs of artists working as a team) mostly based in South Florida who explore cultural heritage, language, relationships and the natural world through their work.
› Developers bringing parks, restaurants, hotel, TV station to Miramar
The official groundbreaking for Miramar Cove brought new details about the development at Miramar Parkway and Red Road. Miramar officials, developers and designers joined Sunbeam Properties & Development, run by the Ansin family, for a celebration on Wednesday, May 27. Sunbeam, along with the construction team at Stiles, plans to turn it into a walkable mini-city — the largest development of its kind in Miramar.