Thanks, El Niño: Even fewer storms now expected in ‘below normal’ hurricane season

Predictions of a calmer hurricane season than average saw a further downgrade on Wednesday, as researchers at Colorado State University lowered the number of tropical storms expected in the Atlantic from their initial April report. Forecasters now anticipate a “below normal” season, thanks largely to an El Niño emerging in the central Pacific Ocean even stronger than expected. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida-based Trulieve set to become first cannabis company listed on the NYSE

Trulieve Cannabis Co., Florida’s largest marijuana provider and one of the biggest in the nation, has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reclassified medical marijuana to Schedule III in April, opening a pathway for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for state licensed medical marijuana companies. The classification means a drug has some medical use and a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. [Source: WLRN]

Nine of the 27 most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians in the U.S. are in Florida

Florida’s well-documented reputation as one of the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians and cyclists is confirmed in a study published this week by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition. The document, “Dangerous by Design,” ranks Sunshine State the fifth most dangerous in the nation, with nine of the 27 deadliest metro areas in the country located here. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Florida Supreme Court keeps new congressional districts in place

The new congressional district map will remain in effect for the midterm elections, after the Florida Supreme Court rejected a push to block the new configuration. In a 6-1 ruling, the court determined the First District Court of Appeal should consider the merits of the case before it weighs in on the matter. Equal Ground Education Fund and two other voting rights groups brought the case alleging the new districts were drawn to favor the Republican Party, a violation of the state’s anti-gerrymandering law, but the First DCA didn’t grant a temporary injunction while the underlying case is pending. [Source: News Service of Florida]

The changing face of the citrus sector: Florida vs. California

The differences between the California citrus industry (holding steady) and its counterpart in Florida (continued recovery mode) continue to be reflected in grower responses to the annual State of the Industry survey conducted by American Fruit Grower/Western Fruit Grower. Many Florida growers have sold their groves to residential and commercial developers. Meanwhile, California growers are investing in infrastructure. [Source: Growing Produce]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› For Jacksonville professional services, 'the AI wave is coming' [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Longtime Jacksonville business coach Doug Wilder says that in his conversations with clients and members of Jacksonville Business Professionals, for which he serves as president, artificial intelligence is the top subject when it comes to innovations in professional services. “I don’t think there is any bigger topic than AI right now,” said Wilder, the president and founder of Wilder Business Success.

› Orlando named best U.S. city for a staycation; several Florida cities make national list [CBS 12]
Floridians looking to vacation without leaving home may already be in the best place in the country to do it. A new WalletHub study ranks Orlando as the No. 1 city in America for staycations in 2026, putting Florida at the top of a national list that compared more than 180 U.S. cities on entertainment, recreation and relaxation options.

› As World Cup nears, Hard Rock Stadium begins transformation into Miami Stadium [Miami Herald]
If you take a drive past Hard Rock Stadium, you won’t notice much proof of its name. That’s because with the first 2026 FIFA World Cup (Shop Fan Gear) game in Miami approaching, FIFA prohibits stadiums from being named for companies that aren’t official FIFA sponsors. Hard Rock Stadium will be known as Miami Stadium for the duration of the tournament.

› St. Pete-based startup partners with Space Florida [St. Pete Catalyst]
A St. Petersburg-based startup has developed an offshore semi-submersible launch platform for rockets. Seagate Space is building a single module prototype, in collaboration with Tampa Ship, at Port Tampa Bay. A steel plate cutting ceremony for the initiative was held Tuesday. The effort would not be possible without the support of Space Florida, which promotes the economic growth and development of the space industry in the state.

More stories ...

› Fort Lauderdale audit puts spotlight on questionable purchases made with city-issued credit cards [South Florida Sun Sentinel]
A scathing internal audit has uncovered questionable and prohibited purchases made by Fort Lauderdale employees using city-issued credit cards. The credit cards, known as P-cards, help streamline government small-dollar purchases by allowing authorized employees to pay for approved business purchases and travel expenses directly. Personal purchases are strictly prohibited.

› Meet Northeast Florida’s fastest-growing businesses of 2026 [Jacksonville Business Journal]
Building a business is never easy. Sustaining rapid growth year after year — through shifting markets, rising costs, workforce challenges and constant competition — is even harder. That’s why the Jacksonville Business Journal unveiled the 2026 Fast 50, recognizing the fastest-growing companies on the First Coast over the past three years.

› 8,080lbs of invasive Burmese pythons removed in Southwest Florida, breaks record [WINK]
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has announced its Burmese python research and removal season results, beating its previous year's total by nearly 2,000 pounds. On Wednesday, the conservancy released an update stating that its biologists removed an impressive 177 invasive pythons, weighing a combined 8,080 pounds. For reference, in 2025, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida removed 6,300 pounds of invasive Burmese pythons throughout its hunting season.

› SESCO officially opens cement terminal at Port Tampa Bay [World Cement]
SESCO Cement celebrated the opening of its new cement import terminal located on Port Redwing at Port Tampa Bay, officially marking the company’s commitment to the Florida construction industry and the Tampa Bay region. The new facility features the largest wheel-mounted cement ship unloader in operation, storage silos with nearly 100,000 tons of capacity, and an advanced mobile conveyor system.

As Florida faces nursing shortage, students get hands-on experience at USF