Florida Trend Exclusive

Florida's college athletes are finding the road to early riches is not what it seems

Begining last year, collegiate athletes in Florida could for the first time profit from their fame. The new era was ushered in by a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 against the NCAA over its rules on the tangentially related issue of limits on education-related compensation for student athletes. Florida’s 11,317 Division I, II and III athletes — and a half-million athletes nationally — could begin cashing in. Just like their counterparts in the pros, they would get a check from a business — or a free meal or merchandise or a car — and be responsible for the taxes on it. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida cities top list of largest U.S. rent increases

Another dismal distinction for the Sunshine State is that eight of the most expensive rental markets in the country are right here in Florida. According to a joint study by Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Alabama, renters in Fort Myers have been hit particularly hard. The average rent there in April was $2,073, up 32.38 percent from April 2021, which is the nation’s largest increase. In terms of the largest premium paid by renters, Metro Miami, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, remains the most overvalued market. [Source: WPLG]

Amid turbulence in Florida property insurance market, homeowners still have options — but not many

With the first named storm of the 2022 hurricane season — Alex — already leaving its mark on South Florida, the turmoil in the state’s property-insurance market continues to worsen. Tens of thousands of Florida homeowners are scrambling to find coverage, as the insurance industry grapples with “an existential challenge,” as described by a leading financial ratings agency. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Florida lawmakers polled on gun violence special session

Florida lawmakers will have until 3 p.m. Friday to weigh in on a proposal by Democrats to hold a special legislative session on gun violence. Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced the timeline for lawmakers to respond to a poll about holding a special session. The poll was prompted by more than 20 percent of lawmakers submitting letters of support. A special session would be convened if 60 percent of the members of the House and Senate back the idea in the poll. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Judge deals out cardroom workers from poker games

Siding with state regulators, an administrative law judge ruled Monday that pari-mutuel cardroom employees aren’t allowed to play poker at their worksites. The state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering has the authority to ban cardroom employees from placing wagers where they work as part of the agency’s regulatory oversight, Administrative Law Judge G.W. Chisenhall wrote. “There is a clear, logical connection between regulating cardroom operations and prohibiting cardroom employees from gambling where they work,” Chisenhall wrote. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Gainesville officials pass more 'zero waste' rules. What does it mean for businesses? [Gainesville Sun]
The Gainesville City Commission last week approved three ordinances that will take effect throughout the next couple of years and further the city's goal of becoming a "zero waste" city by reducing waste so that products can be re-used or recycled instead of ending up in landfills or elsewhere in the environment. The city, with Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos leading the charge, has adopted nearly all policies pushed forward by the group, spending tens of hours deliberating at meetings, as well as developing strategies with business owners, patrons and nonprofits.

› Traveling to Miami, Orlando or another Florida city? How to check the COVID risk level [Miami Herald]
It’s time for summer travels and Florida is always a popular destination, even for staycations. We have beaches, the Everglades and coral reefs. We also have Disney World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens. Florida has mermaids, NASA rockets. And South Beach is always a party. But while travel in 2022 is nearly like in pre-pandemic times, there’s still COVID-19 research to do.

› Orange County leaders consider measures to control rising rents [WESH]
Orange County commissioners are talking about the idea of rent control Tuesday. Dozens of people attended the meeting, many landlords saying they have to charge more, and renters saying it’s forcing people out of their homes. Before the meeting even started, supporters of rent control gathered outside to call on the county commissioners, to take bold action:

› End of an era as Disney Dream cruise ship leaves Port Canaveral [Orlando Sentinel]
The vanguard of a the last new era of Disney Cruise Line is moving along as Disney Dream, which first debuted at Port Canaveral in 2011, has left the only port it ever called home to make way for the first ship of a new era. With the arrival of new Trident-class ship Disney Wish later this month, Dream left Port Canaveral for the last time on Monday, at least for now.

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› Vibrant sunrises, sunsets possible in Florida with latest Saharan dust invasion [WTSP]
Dust season is here again! A robust plume of dry and dusty air traveling thousands of miles west from Africa is likely to invade the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. The dust may turn the brightness down just a bit but will make the sunrises and sunsets more colorful, hazy and vibrant.

› Not just 904 — Northeast Florida has a new area code: 324 [Jacksonville Daily Record]
With Northeast Florida’s population growing, the new 324 area code is joining 904 to serve the Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Fernandina Beach, Orange Park and surrounding communities. Approved in May by the Florida Public Service Commission, the 324 area code will expand the area’s supply of telephone numbers. Customers will keep their current telephone numbers, but new customers, or requests for additional lines, may be assigned the 324 area code.

› 'Forever chemicals' lurk everywhere Florida looks for them in the Indian River Lagoon [Florida Today]
Everywhere scientists look in the Indian River Lagoon, they find so-called "forever chemicals," in some places at almost four times the levels of what's safe in drinking water, according to a recently published scientific study by the University of Florida. UF researchers have been measuring the presence of these potentially cancer-causing in the lagoon for years, but with greater focus over the last two years.

› See what these 3 Orlando tech companies are working on to innovate tourism and hospitality [Orlando Business Journal]
Wi-Fi in outer space, virtual handshakes and Harry Potter-themed effects were a few of the topics discussed at Orlando Inno’s State of Innovation panel on June 2. Three leaders from Central Florida companies that are forging technology for the events, theme parks and space tourism sectors shared what they’re working on during the discussion at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.