Amid environmental concerns, some Florida counties are banning AI data centers
Large-scale data centers use large amounts of water to cool the mega computers that power AI programs like ChatGPT. While bans will help keep residents from seeing the centers in their own backyards, experts say that doesn’t take care of local water concerns entirely. The discussions come as a new state law is set to go into effect in July. It gives local governments more control over where and whether data centers can be built in their communities. [Source: WFSU]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Sporting life
Gov. Rick Scott had two conditions when he agreed to sign legislation making Florida Poly a state university in 2012, recalls founding President Randy Avent: No faculty tenure and no sports program. This fall, only one of those will remain in effect. Answering what he described as "a clarion call from our students," Florida Poly's current President Devin Stephenson says the advent of intercollegiate athletics will enhance student life and be "like glue" binding the campus and its surrounding community. [Source: Florida Trend]
It’s been 5 years since the deadly Surfside condo collapse. What’s changed?
In the five years since the Surfside tragedy, the condo market has faced significant turbulence as owners, lenders, insurance providers and property managers all adjust to the new reality. Experts agree, condos will be better off in the long-term thanks to the lessons learned from Surfside. But the road to a safer, more sustainable future will be paved with sacrifices for some condo owners. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Vendors told to start dismantling Alligator Alcatraz detention center
Crews began dismantling a state-run immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades on Monday, signaling its closure even as state and federal officials continued to say little about the shutdown of a year-old facility that they once praised on a near-daily basis. State officials informed vendors in a call Monday morning that they could begin “demobilizing,” or taking down, the tents, fences, trailers and other structures at the detention center, known as Alligator Alcatraz. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
More mosquitoes likely as El Niño brings wetter Florida summer
Certain bloodsuckers love El Niño. No-see-ums, mosquitoes and other pests thrive in the hotter, wetter weather that the El Niño climate pattern typically brings to Florida and the Southern United States. So since a "super" strong "Godzilla" El Niño is now expected in the coming months, experts say to brace for a 'buggier' summer and mind the freestanding water in and around your yard. [Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› RYAM facing pressure as new CEO joins the company
Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., or RYAM, began reviewing strategic alternatives in April that could include a sale, but the appointment of a new CEO could point to a different direction. The Jacksonville-based maker of cellulose specialty products announced June 22 that Daniel Krawczyk was appointed president and CEO. His predecessor, Scott Sutton, left the company in April after fewer than four months on the job as the company announced the strategic review.
› Orlando Fringe leaves Shakespeare Center as festival’s future discussed
Leaders of Orlando Fringe and Orlando Shakes, including the presidents of the nonprofits’ boards, are meeting today to discuss the future of the relationship between two of Central Florida’s most significant cultural organizations. Orlando Fringe, which has housed its administrative offices in the city-owned Lowndes Shakespeare Center since 2015, will depart that building in Loch Haven Park by the end of August, when its sublease ends. Citing an unacceptable rent increase and dissatisfaction with Orlando Shakes as a landlord, leaders of Orlando Fringe said they have found new office space nearby on Virginia Drive.
› Tampa office market posts strongest year in a decade
Tampa Bay’s office market posted its strongest year of leasing activity in more than a decade in 2025 as companies continued to absorb space across the region’s highest-end buildings while new construction remained limited. Companies leased 4.6 million square feet of office space across the region last year, the highest annual volume in more than 10 years, according to a report from JLL.
› Miami is one of the most expensive FIFA World Cup host cities
Miami has quickly emerged as one of the most expensive host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with secondary market ticket prices soaring into the thousands and parking costs reaching as high as $250 per match. Hard Rock Stadium is serving as the South Florida stage for seven of the tournament’s 104 matches – including group stage fixtures, a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal and the third-place bronze final.
More stories ...
› Blue Origin eyes defunct space tourism site as expansion continues in Brevard County
A commercial space giant is looking to continue its expansion within Brevard County, after investing millions in multiple potential new sites across the region. Jeff Bezos-founded company Blue Origin is working with the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority on identifying potential sites for future manufacturing and outdoor storage, according to the agency’s June 18 meeting agenda.
› Palm Harbor company nixes $200M merger to expand into weight loss drug market
A specialist pharmacy company in Palm Harbor has called of a merger transaction that would have advanced its expansion into the lucrative GLP-1 weight loss market. Polomar Health Services Inc. and Los Angeles drug development company Altanine Inc. terminated the reverse merger last week, nearly a year after first announcing the deal, according to a statement filed with regulators.
› Jacksonville City Council OKs private review of site plans
Private firms will be able to review site plans for Jacksonville developments under a bill approved by City Council on June 23 to align city policy with state law. Council approved Ordinance 2026-0363 with a 16-0 vote, with President Kevin Carrico and members Ken Amaro and Raul Arias absent. The ordinance allows professionally licensed individuals in the private sector to review site plans for the city.
› Windermere sues its residents over their boathouses — again
Already facing a hefty bill to reimburse residents for legal fees they spent defending their private ownership of century-old boathouses near Lake Butler, the town of Windermere has sued them again — this time asserting its control over land surrounding the boathouses. In the latest filing in circuit court in Orlando, GrayRobinson lawyers, representing the town, insisted they are not re-litigating the earlier case in which a judge found “nothing equitable or fair” about Windermere’s years-long quest to seize the structures.