Report: Campaign spending in Florida could top $464M
Despite no longer being a battleground state, a new report projects spending in Florida will top $464 million for this year's campaign, one of the largest increases over previous predictions. According to the latest Political Projections Report by AdImpact, Florida has one of the largest projected increases in political spending, almost $69 million. but unlike Maryland, Montana, and Ohio, Florida is not considered a state in contention. [Source: The Center Square]
Business Beat - Week of July 12th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
New Florida laws: Fixing problems? Or creating them?
Florida has seen an uptick during the past couple of years in bills turning into laws. But that could slow down as a new leader takes over in the state House. Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said he’s going to put a little more pressure on House members to justify bills they file for consideration during the 2025 and 2026 sessions. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Hurricanes are known threat in Florida, but these natural disasters may surprise you
Hurricanes are a recognized threat in Florida, but did you know there are several other natural disasters that impact the state, causing billions of damage? See a list of the types of disasters Florida experiences, along with data on the most active months and what you're likely to see in your county. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
What happens to old pot arrests if Florida legalizes recreational weed in November?
Over the last several decades, hundreds of thousands of Floridians have been arrested for having an amount of marijuana that could soon become legal if a proposed amendment passes in November. Amendment 3 would allow people to possess up to three ounces of recreational marijuana. But even if it passes, the records of those who’ve already been arrested won’t be cleared. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› New York manufacturer moving HQ to Pinellas County industrial site
New York-based Supplement Manufacturing Partners has leased more than 100,000 square feet of industrial space and will relocate its headquarters to Pinellas County. The supplement manufacturing company’s real estate firm JLL announced Wednesday that SMP Nutra, as it’s called, has leased 103,494-square-feet in Largo.
› Can good design help solve the housing crisis? One South Florida architect is betting on it
Some architects dream of building lofty skyscrapers or attention-grabbing homes for the rich and famous. Not Margi Glavovic Nothard. The Fort Lauderdale-based architect has built a thriving practice by instead applying her considerable design chops to a heretofore unglamorous field of development: Low-income housing.
› Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas arrives at Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral welcomed the largest cruise ship to ever call it home as Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas arrived on Thursday morning. It’s the latest Oasis-class ship larger than its five sister vessels including 2022’s Wonder of the Seas, which also calls Port Canaveral home. It’s only second in size to the new Icon of the Seas, part of a larger class of ship that sails out of Miami.
› St. Petersburg Mayor Welch praises Duke Energy with proclamation. It’s drawing criticism
In a proclamation, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch celebrated Duke Energy Florida and the 125th anniversary of its founding — sparking anger from some members of city council at a time when local officials are negotiating with the utility.
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› Florida removes digital driver’s license app. Here’s why
Florida’s relatively new digital identification application is apparently being scrapped while state leaders look to find a new app developer for the program. The state has now removed the Florida Smart ID app from app stores. Florida is one of only a handful of states that uses the technology.
› Wine Spectator recognizes almost three dozen Orlando restaurants
Wine Spectator magazine's current special issue has recognized almost three dozen Orlando restaurants on its latest list of eateries with notable wine menus. The list, which has been published for 43 years, has grown to include more than 3,500 restaurants from over 70 countries.
› ‘Swim at your own risk’: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea decides against lifeguards following girl’s death in sand hole
After hundreds of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea residents told town officials in a recent survey they don’t want lifeguards on their unguarded beach, the commission on Tuesday night nixed any further discussion of getting them. More than 300 residents completed a beach safety survey, which closed at the end of June, and they made it clear they don’t think lifeguards are necessary and don’t want their tax dollars to pay for them.
› Tampa among largest metros seeing a big drop in rent prices, report shows
While rent prices across the United States saw the biggest jump in June since late 2022, Florida is "bucking the national trend" and seeing lower rates in some of its most populous metros, including the Tampa Bay area. According to a recent report from Redfin, the Sunshine State's four most populous metros are seeing a decline in rent prices, which skyrocketed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.