How one of Florida's smallest towns built a big reputation for tourism
Micanopy is not the average Florida tourist town. It does not have sandy beaches, thrilling theme parks, a gigantic skyline or Michelin-star restaurants. This tiny landlocked town — not far from Gainesville — is one of the state's smallest, at only 1 square mile, and with a humble 750 full-time residents. Despite this, Micanopy finds its way onto numerous online tourism guides, visitor itineraries and travel influencer videos, to viral effect. But why? [Source: WUSF]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Romance and reality
June is the first full month of treasure hunting season on the Treasure Coast, one of the summer months when the water is sufficiently clear and calm for captains to search for a big score, though more likely they will do well each day just to find a stray gold coin or a pile of encrusted metallic gunk you would be hard pressed to recognize as silver. [Source: Florida Trend]
Column: Florida’s housing market is finding its balance
If you’ve been watching housing headlines, you might feel like the ground is constantly shifting. One report says the market is cooling. Another says demand is picking up. It’s no wonder Floridians have questions. As a long-time broker and the president of Florida Realtors, here’s what I see. After years of fluctuations, Florida’s housing market is stabilizing, giving people something they haven’t had in a long time: the ability to plan. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
Drones seed 'super clams' to heal Florida waters
Can a billion baby "super clams" dropped by drones sow the seeds of marine life back into the Indian River Lagoon? Maybe not all by themselves, but these shellfish ways are well worth a try, according to the Indian River Lagoon Billion Clam Initiative, spearheaded by the Coastal Conservation Association Florida, a nonprofit sportfishing and marine advocacy group. [Source: Florida Today]
Legislature sweeps Florida Forever funding to rural conservation program
The Florida Legislature has gone from budgeting $229 million to the Florida Forever program two years ago to putting no new money into it next year, something that has rarely happened in the 25-year history of the state’s premier land conservation initiative. Instead of buying land for the public to enjoy, the Legislature swept $425 million into a program to buy the development rights on private working farms and ranches. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› South Florida bankruptcy filings see uptick
South Florida personal and business bankruptcies are becoming the proverbial canary in the coal mine for financial distress as Iran war-driven energy prices and other rising costs add pressure to the ability to pay off debts. Figures from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court the Southern District of Florida show filings are on the rise this year versus 2025 for Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 13 bankruptcies that carry repayment plans.
› Survey: Excitement for new Rays stadium – and skepticism
Many Hillsborough County residents say a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark could bring jobs and community pride, but they are skeptical about public financing with a widespread belief they have been left out of the process, according to a new survey. The survey of registered voters comes as local governments weigh contributing nearly $1 billion in subsidies for the stadium and voters prepare for a broader property tax ballot question that could sidetrack the plan.
› Jacksonville retail market draws national brands as $7 billion in development reshapes region's appeal
Jacksonville is no longer just a place retailers consider after they have already planted flags in Florida’s larger markets. Halfway through 2026, Northeast Florida’s retail market is drawing a new level of attention from national brands, franchise concepts and investors, according to Franklin Street retail experts. The shift is being fueled by the region’s population growth, a constrained supply of quality retail space and major mixed-use and master-planned developments that are changing how outside companies view the market.
› Cape Canaveral could get new launch site only 2 miles from the port
A new launch pad could be constructed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — if the military has its way. The Department of the Air Force, which oversees the facility, is gathering information for an Environmental Assessment for a proposed Space Launch Complex 51 that would be about 2 miles from Port Canaveral. The goal of the new site would be to give the U.S. Army and Navy a place to test launch missiles instead of relying on the existing Space Launch Complex 46.
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› Smithsonian-backed space experience lands at The Florida Mall
Orlando’s ties to the nation’s space program helped land one of the Smithsonian Institution’s newest immersive experiences at The Florida Mall, where visitors soon will be able to walk through galaxies, black holes and exploding stars using virtual reality technology built from real telescope data. Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience, a permanent exhibit, opens June 25 at Fever’s venue inside The Florida Mall, transforming a 5,000-square-foot space into a free-roam journey through the cosmos.
› Live Nation wants a giant concert venue in Ybor. Residents are pushing back
Disturbed at the thought of a billion-dollar company setting up shop in the heart of Tampa’s indie music scene, some concerned locals are on a crusade to keep Live Nation out of Ybor City. As Crowbar, Ybor’s last full-time independent music venue, prepares to close this summer, a huge project could be coming nearby: a 4,300-person concert hall.
› Local developers still want to buy Duval Schools’ headquarters
In a new round of bids, Duval Schools received offers from three companies for its headquarters building on Prudential Drive, records show. A central Florida real estate firm, Bainbridge Communities, offered $15.5 million for the district’s entire Southbank site, according to records the district provided to Jacksonville Today after a public records request. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. Ashco, a local firm, offered as much as $17.5 million.
› Venice Theatre defies hurricane damage for WorldFest
When Venice Theatre agreed to move forward with hosting its fifth international festival of community theater, Executive Director Kristofer Geddie was still hopeful that reconstruction of its mainstage Jervey Theatre would be completed in time. “That turned out not to be the case. But we have faced our fair share of obstacles and apparently this one wasn’t a big enough obstacle to say no,” said Geddie.