2025 begins with uptick in consumer sentiment, but Floridians still cautious
Consumer sentiment among Floridians inched up two-tenths of a point in January to 86.9 from a revised figure of 86.7 in December. In contrast, national consumer sentiment declined for the first time in six months, dropping nearly 3 points. The UF survey shows increasing consumer sentiment for the third consecutive month. Before November and the U.S. presidential election, consumer sentiment had been sliding among Floridians. More from UF News and Florida Politics.
Florida tourism chief exits abruptly, leaving $80 million agency without successor
Visit Florida President and CEO Dana Young said Monday her retirement will take effect Friday, two months after announcing she was stepping down after leading the tourism-marketing agency since 2019. Gov. Ron DeSantis has not recommended a replacement for Young. When her departure was announced in early December, she was expected to remain in the post until a new leader was in place. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida gambling officials try to crack down on illegal overseas wagering operations
With the Super Bowl fast approaching, Florida gaming officials are trying to stop overseas bookmakers and casinos from cashing in on illegal gambling operations in Florida. Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) officials announced Monday they’re demanding three overseas operations that have established online gambling websites accessible to Florida residents and visitors halt operations in the Sunshine State. [Source: Florida Politics]
Find out the average price of home insurance in your county, and how much it increased since 2022
First, some good news for insurance consumers in South Florida: The average annual cost to insure a single-family home increased at a lower percentage rate in Broward and Miami-Dade counties than in Florida’s other 65 counties, according to data released by the state. Homeowners along Florida’s Gulf Coast and its northern border experienced premium increases at much-higher percentages, likely because more hurricanes have been striking those regions, but also because populations there have been growing. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Record number of young manatees died in Florida in 2024
Florida's youngest manatees died in record numbers last year, possibly from lingering malnutrition or a counterintuitive sign that sea cow reproduction is slowly recovering, after years of fewer births during the the 'great manatee famine.' A record 154 young Florida manatees died before reaching one year of age in 2024, including more than half of the 100 manatees that died in Brevard County, state statistics show. [Source: Florida Today]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Public Service Commission approves rate hikes for TECO and Duke Energy customers
On Tuesday morning, the Florida Public Service Commission approved motions that would lead to rate hikes for Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Duke Energy customers. Items 3 and 4 on Tuesday's agenda saw both utility companies implement an interim storm recovery charge for restoration costs related to Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton. TECO requested to recover $463.6 million while Duke requested $1.09 billion.
› Florida Polytechnic University forges partnership with Lakeland business incubator
Leaders of Florida Polytechnic University and Catapult Lakeland signed memorandum of understanding Friday that will give students and faculty access to the business incubator in downtown Lakeland. The partnership seeks to empower students and faculty with hands-on STEM education and entrepreneurial opportunities, Florida Poly said in a news release.
› Broward Health ends longtime contract with financially troubled anesthesia group
Financial problems at Anesco, an anesthesia group contracted for decades to provide services at all Broward Health hospitals, has led to employees leaving or going unpaid and a notice of termination for the service provider. Broward Health leaders formally gave Anesco 150 days’ notice that its contract at the taxpayer-funded hospital system would end after discovering the anesthesia/pain management company breached the contract’s terms.
› Law firm sues owner of St. Petersburg building that was smashed by crane
A Tampa-based law firm has sued the owner of a downtown St. Petersburg building that bears its name, nearly four months after a storm-toppled construction crane rendered it uninhabitable. Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns LLP filed the civil lawsuit Friday against 490 St. Pete LLC, an entity affiliated with Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co. The law firm seeks to terminate its lease and receive declaratory financial relief from the court.
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› Bill filed to cement Black history museum in St. Augustine
A state senator has filed a bill to solidify a controversial task force decision placing a Florida Black History Museum in St. John’s County, edging out a proposed Eatonville location. The bill, SB 466, would create a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors, which would work with the Foundation for the Museum of Black History, Inc., a non-profit organization, to help create the museum. The St. Johns County Commission also would provide staff for the board until planning, design and engineering are finished.
› 'Brand new' to the market, PNC is making a push in Jacksonville
With over $559 million consolidated assets as of September 2024, PNC is among the largest commercial banks in America and has a 165-year-old legacy stretching across 27 states. But in Jacksonville, PNC is a relatively new brand. At least, that’s what Regional President Chris Kalin said in a conversation with the Business Journal.
› Margaritaville at Sea to revamp Palm Beach-based cruise ship again, add Nassau visits
The cruise ship run by Margaritaville at Sea out of the Port of Palm Beach is set for its latest makeover in 2025 with the line adding Nassau to its destination list. The Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was built in 1991 and originally sailed for Costa Cruises in Europe as the Costa Classica.
› Bank of America names new leader for Tampa Bay market
Bank of America has named a new executive for its Tampa Bay region: longtime BofA leader Michael Esposito, who was most recently the bank’s national performance executive for the Merrill Advisor Development Program. Esposito replaces Bill Goede who retired in December after 35 years with the bank, including 18 running the Tampa Bay division.