Florida Trend Exclusive
Legal Elite -- Notable Managing Partners
Florida offers plenty of examples of elite leadership traits. Florida has the fastest-growing lawyer population, according to recent data from the American Bar Association. In the past decade, the number of active resident lawyers has grown by approximately 17%, ranking Florida fourth among states in lawyer population. The Florida Bar counts more than 115,000 members statewide. More from Florida Trend.
Florida business establishment remains quiet on property tax amendment
Less than four months before Floridians vote on a proposal to phase out property taxes for homeowners, there's no organized campaign seeking to move the measure past the 60% vote required for passage. The biggest advocate for property tax relief, Gov. Ron DeSantis, said two weeks ago that he won't lead any organized effort because the measure the Legislature approved in a special session in June "wasn't my proposal." Three groups, most recently a political committee called Floridians for Shared Prosperity, have formed to oppose Amendment 3. Cities and counties would lose $5 billion in tax revenue next year and $10.75 billion by 2031, according to state economists. More from the Florida Phoenix.
What is space jellyfish? Unique rocket launch contrails explained
The "space jellyfish" effect -- illuminated rocket exhaust plumes that follow a launch around dawn or dusk -- has developed a cult following online. The phenomenon is not dangerous; it occurs when a rocket lifts off in the hours around dawn or dusk and the exhaust plumes are illuminated by the sun just over the horizon. In rare cases, the contrail can transform into another shape -- including a heart, as happened in March 2026 and July 2026 in Florida. More from Florida Today.
Florida Airport Seeks Airline Service After 17-Year Gap
Monroe County is seeking to restart commercial air service at Florida Keys Marathon Airport after a nearly 20-year gap, applying for a $1 million federal grant through the Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. The money would make up part of a roughly $2.5 million minimum revenue guarantee for an airline that opts to start service. The county is looking to partner with United, Delta, or American, and has already begun discussions with American. More from Airline Geeks.
FIFA Fan Festival in Miami draws 600,000 attendees as World Cup shifts to final matches
The FIFA Miami Host Committee says the World Cup Fan Festival at Bayfront Park drew 600,000 attendees over 24 days. The 24-day event has wrapped, but the World Cup experience is continuing across South Florida. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Economics
Florida rises to the 14th largest economy in the world
The Florida Chamber Foundation is highlighting that the Sunshine State has evolved into the world's 14th-largest economy, with Florida's economy growing to $1.8 trillion -- surpassing Australia and Mexico. Chamber officials say they expect the state to be listed in the top 10 global economies in five years. The Florida economy increased by about 6.3% in the past year alone.
» More from Florida Politics.
Agriculture
Florida's citrus industry gets a bump end of season
Florida citrus growers expressed optimism as the recent growing season topped forecasts and ended slightly ahead of the prior season. The USDA increased orange production by nearly 6% from an April forecast, putting it a little more than 5% above the 2024-2025 season. Grapefruit production was moved up 8% from April. State legislators have invested more than $320 million in the past two fiscal years into the industry, which has faced hurricanes, freezes, encroaching development, and the ravages of citrus greening disease.
» More from WLRN.