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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Steamy ocean means ‘a very, very busy season’ for hurricanes, early forecasts say
For nearly three decades, researchers have been releasing early-season hurricane forecasts. Not once in an April outlook, the first one of the year, have they predicted more than nine hurricanes would occur in a single season. In 2024, they are expecting 11. Researchers at Colorado State University, which has a renowned tropical weather and forecast team, said a mix of ingredients will lead to an “extremely active” hurricane season. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Miami Herald.
Business Beat - Week of April 5th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida to devote gambling money to environmental conservation
Florida will invest over half a billion dollars of its revenues from the 2021 gaming agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida into environmental conservation, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday at a bill signing event. The new law will provide at least $450 million a year for buying and maintaining land in a state wildlife corridor, removing invasive species and converting properties from using septic tanks to sewer systems, among other things. [Source: TC Palm]
Donations spike after Florida Supreme Court allows recreational marijuana on the 2024 ballot
The state Supreme Court’s ruling this week that will give voters a chance to decide whether to allow recreational marijuana sparked a flurry of contributions to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee that’s backing the proposal. The court’s 5-2 opinion gave the go-ahead for the measure to appear as Amendment 3 on the November ballot, and more medical-marijuana operators are jumping on board the recreational weed train. [Source: News Service of Florida]
State data shows electricity rates remain constant for most Floridians
Florida’s electricity rates are set to decrease slightly over the coming months for some customers, while others will likely remain the same. According to data from the Florida Public Service Commission, electricity rates remain steady for three of the four investor-owned electric companies in the Sunshine State. These include Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light, Tampa Electric Company, and the Florida Public Utilities Company. [Source: The Center Square]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FWC's new 'special' alligator permit adds 8 weeks to hunt, allows hunting in more zones
At its February Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted a new wrinkle to the Florida alligator hunting scene — a special-opportunity permit valid to take two gators from any Alligator Management Unit in the state. Prior to this hearing, FWC staff was directed to investigate new ways to expand the gator-hunting experience.
› Spirit Airlines to receive compensation for engine problems that could lift finances by $150M to $200M
Miramar-based Spirit Airlines, which has been forced to pull planes from service due to potential aircraft engine problems, has informed the investment community it has reached a compensation deal with the manufacturer that could improve the company’s 2024 cash position by $150 million to $200 million.
› Tampa's economic development chief to step down
Nicole Travis, Tampa’s economic development chief, has resigned from her role to start a consulting firm. Travis, who joined Mayor Jane Castor’s administration as administrator of development and economic opportunity in 2022, will remain with the city until July 1, the city said Thursday. She was previously director of community and economic development in Lakeland, and in 2019 was a Tampa Bay Business Journal BusinessWoman of the Year honoree.
› Downtown Orlando slated for more than $1.45 billion in development
Downtown Orlando has over $1 billion in development in the pipeline. The Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency/Downtown Development said that as of March, there are 20 proposed projects worth over $1.45 billion in the pipeline. Nine other projects worth a total of $1.2 billion were under construction as of the end of 2023.
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