Hurricane season a month away; forecast remains modest

Six to nine hurricanes have been forecast in the Atlantic Basin hurricane season from June 1 to Nov. 30 by the two leading authorities. At N.C. State University, the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences teamed with the Department of Computer Science projected six to nine from 12 to 15 named storms, with two to three deemed major. At Colorado State University, the Department of Atmospheric Science predicts six hurricanes from 13 named storms, with two likely major. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was remarkable as the first since 2015 with none making landfall. [Source: The Center Square]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Crypto as collateral

For all the enthusiasm cryptocurrency owners have for the controversial alternate financial system, many are reluctant to cash in for fear of missing out on future appreciation. A Miami startup says it has found a way to use the asset without sacrificing that potential gain and without tax ramifications. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida gas prices surge 40 cents, setting new 4-year high

Florida gas prices have surged 40 cents per gallon, setting a four-year high, according to AAA. Gas prices rose from $3.94 a gallon on Monday to $4.34 a gallon on Sunday, making the state average the highest daily price since July 2022. “Big gains in oil and gasoline futures contributed to the jump at the pump last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA, The Auto Club Group. “The ongoing Iranian conflict and uncertainty tied to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is keeping upward pressure on fuel prices with no clear indication of letting up.” [Source: WFLA]

State college sports panel eyes agent rules, NIL trusts

Student-athletes in Florida could see a portion of their funds from name, image and likeness (NIL) deals put into a professionally managed trust, under a suggestion put forward by a state panel on college athletics. The panel is also considering recommending more oversight of agents working for collegiate athletes, limiting transfers between schools and exempting schools from federal antitrust laws to shield them from lawsuits on compensation. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Opponents of new Florida congressional districts face uphill legal battle

Now that the legislative battle is over and Gov. Ron DeSantis has his new congressional map, the fight over Florida’s redistricting efforts is headed to court. Democrats and voting rights groups have announced plans to file lawsuits challenging the new map as an illegal and unconstitutional gerrymandering based on political considerations — an effort that diluted the voting strength of minority communities. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Rays’ Tampa stadium could hinge on property taxes. It wasn’t supposed to [Tampa Bay Times]
In February, Ken Hagan, the county commissioner who has tried to bring the Tampa Bay Rays to Hillsborough County for nearly two decades, presented the team’s latest, and possibly final, stadium pitch. Negotiations between the Rays and the county were still in their infancy, but momentum for a deal was mounting. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, had both cheered the team’s plan to stay in Tampa Bay.

› Miami Grand Prix drives surge in travel, dining demand [South Florida Business Journal]
New data shows a spike in travel demand tied to the Miami Grand Prix, with restaurants and hospitality operators seeing a boost from affluent visitors. Flight bookings to Miami jump 69% during race week, the highest increase among U.S. Formula 1 events, according to an analysis of about 18,000 bookings from corporate travel company Perk, which is a work automation technology partner of the Audi Revolut F1 Team.

› Tallahassee NAACP sues city over TMH-FSU hospital transfer [Tallahassee Democrat]
The Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP officially filed a lawsuit in an attempt to reverse the controversial transfer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare's campus to Florida State University, following through on its earlier threat of pursuing legal action over the deal. The lawsuit alleges the city did not follow a state statute for municipal hospital sales, which requires transparency and multiple bidders.

› Jacksonville payrolls drop in March for third straight month [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Jacksonville area businesses reduced their payrolls in March for the third straight month, the Florida Department of Commerce reported May 1. The unemployment rate for the Jacksonville metropolitan area of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties declined even as the number of jobs fell, due to people leaving the labor force.

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› Southwest Florida farmers markets close season, weigh costs and growth [Gulfshore Business]
Across Southwest Florida, farmers markets are beginning to close for the season, although operators plan to keep several locations open through the summer, including in downtown Fort Myers and at Babcock Ranch. For some, it was a banner year, but managers and vendors also reported that rising costs offset sales gains.

› FAU hosts Maverick Innovation Awards [Refresh Miami]
Florida Atlantic University recently presented the Maverick Innovation Awards to celebrate entrepreneurship and new startups in South Florida. The awards ceremony, hosted by FAU College of Business’s Florida Atlantic Entrepreneurship Institute, gave out over $20,000 in prizes across four tracks in the Adam’s Center for Entrepreneurship’s Business Pitch Competition and the Florida Atlantic Wave Program Competition.

› Controversial downtown Sarasota condo tower could rise [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A controversial downtown Sarasota condo tower that could reshape the city’s skyline may be revived. Construction of the proposed tallest residential building in Sarasota could be back on track if the city commission approves a mediated settlement agreement with 1260 Palm Properties LLC for the North Palm Avenue mixed-use condominium, commonly known as the Obsidian, when it meets on May 4.

› Massive Gardens hospital will expand north county health care [Palm Beach Post]
With business and community leaders and members of the public in attendance, executives at northern Palm Beach County's newest hospital offered the first look at services to come when the Alan B. Miller Medical Center formally opens its doors on May 19. More than 500 people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 29 for the hospital, which stands on 34 acres off Interstate 95.

Pinellas commissioners mull selling land in Clearwater