Here are the new laws starting Jan. 1 in Florida
As Florida enters 2025, 10 new laws will take effect across the Sunshine State, impacting everything from social media restrictions for minors to enhanced protections for first responders. One law aims to combat the growing problem of financial abuse targeting vulnerable adults. According to state research, up to five million older Americans experience abuse each year, with financial losses amounting to around $36.5 billion. [Source: WFLX]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Pat Neal
"No one will come here if we ruin our community. My extra money and time goes primarily into land acquisition, to preserve land for our future generations," says real estate developer, conservationist and former state legislator Pat Neal. He tells us: "I moved to Florida for opportunity. Des Moines was kind of an ideal place to grow up, but I didn’t think it was a place of great opportunity for me." [Source: Florida Trend]
Drought worsens in Florida; long-term outlook doesn't look good
For most of Florida, the dry season started in late October — by Christmas, most of the state is dealing with at least abnormally dry conditions that seem to be worsening as rain continues to be absent. Precipitation deficits are ramping up across the state. Tallahassee is on track to experience the lowest precipitation recorded in December since 1946 when only 0.54 inches of rain were recorded. [Source: WGCU]
Dozens of luxury condos and hotels in Florida are sinking
Dozens of luxury condos, hotels and other buildings in southeast Florida are sinking at a surprising rate, researchers reported in a recent study. The study, led by scientists at the University of Miami, found 35 buildings from Golden Beach to Miami Beach sank as much as three inches between 2016 and 2023. More from CNN and First Post.
State rebuffed in manatees lawsuit
A federal judge has rejected a state attempt to end a lawsuit stemming from manatee deaths in the Indian River Lagoon and said a trial is needed to determine whether the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has violated the Endangered Species Act. U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza issued a 17-page order last week siding with arguments by the environmental group Bear Warriors United that wastewater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon have led to the demise of seagrass and, as a result, the deaths of manatees. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Two Weeks left for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene
FEMA has announced that Floridians who sustained losses from Hurricanes Milton and/or Helene have two weeks remaining to apply for federal assistance. Suppose you applied for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton. In that case, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.
› Flying high: Atlanta to Orlando busiest airline route in US as holiday travel set to break records
The nation’s busiest flight route for 2024 runs from Orlando to Atlanta, a travel analyst has found — with the news coming just ahead of another record-breaking holiday travel season. OAG, a data platform for the global travel industry, announced that a total of 3.4 million airline seats flew between the theme park capital of the nation and the city that is headquarters to Coca-Cola, the Home Depot, and the world’s busiest airport hub, Hartfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
› It's so Space Coast: Surfing Santas' Christmas Eve ride lures thousands to Cocoa Beach
There are holiday traditions. And then there's Surfing Santas, a colorful, free Christmas Eve event that's just about the Space Coast-iest tradition one could imagine. In this annual charity gathering (in surfing legend Kelly Slater's hometown of Cocoa Beach, no less) hundreds of Santas make a literal splash in the Atlantic as thousands of onlookers, many also in holiday garb, too, cheer them on.
› South Florida homebuyers spend over 40% of income on properties, report says
Although wages are going up, buying a home is still way too expensive for most South Floridians, according to a new report. This trend, which could harm the region, is also worse than the region's "historical averages." According to real estate data company Attom, the average South Floridian wishing to buy a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 had to invest 47.3% of their income in Miami-Dade, 44.4% in Broward, and 40.7% in Palm Beach County.
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› $14 million NOAA grant fuels Florida blue tech innovation
The Continuum, a collective of organizations that includes Miami-based Seaworthy Collective, was awarded $13.9 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program. The funding will fuel efforts to find environmentally friendly solutions for problems impacting oceans, coastal communities and the marine economy.
› How condo conversions are gaining traction in South Florida
Developers say the South Florida housing market is better-positioned now to offer condos. Condo conversions also are planned in cities such as Hollywood and Dania Beach. With the potential for lower mortgage rates, some would-be homeowners may find a better opportunity to buy.
› Tampa’s top federal prosecutor touts surge in cases amid uncertain future
When Roger Handberg took office in 2021 as the top federal prosecutor in the district that includes Tampa Bay, he said he wanted his attorneys to take on more and bigger cases. He wanted them working cases he felt were meaningful and impactful. Three years later, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida assesses his own tenure in numbers: A 60% increase in overall prosecutions this year compared to the year he took over.
› Downtown Sarasota may see less parking, more dining and shopping in Main Street revamp
The City of Sarasota is seeking public input as it embarks on the long process of revamping Main Street, the pulsing artery of Sarasota's downtown, for its “Main Street Complete Streets” project. The city showed off concept designs as part of a Dec. 17 open house at Selby Library. Chief Transportation Planner Alvimarie Corales encouraged residents and stakeholders to provide as much input as possible.