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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Already? Forecasters watch tropical disturbance in Atlantic
A small, steady patch of showers and thunderstorms has caught the eyes of forecasters at the National Hurricane Center well before the start of the hurricane season on June 1. The system has just a 10% chance of growing further in the next week. Though a bit strange, an early season disturbance is not unheard of, said Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Naples Daily News.
Re-accreditation work may scuttle ‘unorthodox’ birthday gift to Orlando Museum of Art
Friends of American Art members want to give a painting to Orlando Museum of Art as a present for its 100th birthday. But from the museum’s perspective, it may be the wrong gift at the wrong time. Eric Hornbacher, president of Friends of American Art, says it would be a shame to let the painting pass by, but OMA executive director Cathryn Mattson says the museum can’t acquire any artwork at the moment, particularly artwork that didn’t follow proper acquisition procedure. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Duval hotel occupancy, room revenue down in March from year ago
Duval County hotel occupancy and room revenue in March fell from a year ago, according to a Visit Jacksonville report released April 22. The March occupancy rate was 74.9%, down 7.4% from 2023. March room revenue fell 9.72% to $57.6 million. The average daily hotel rate was $130.50, down 4.8%. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Tampa Bay sees surge in build-to-rent homes over the past five years
Over the past half a decade, Tampa Bay has become a premium destination for build-to-rent homes, with last year being the most successful. Nationwide, 32 metros have completed their entire build-to-rent supply in the last five years. However, more than half don't have any projects underway. Over 1,300 new single-family homes are set to hit the Tampa rental market in the next few years More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Miami marching toward powerful inspector general office
Miami is drafting the duties of an independent inspector general to combat government corruption and fraud, with the proposal to be decided on by voters in the August elections. Today (4/25), the Miami City Commission is to review legislation outlining the qualifications, term limits and powers of the proposed Office of the Independent Inspector General. If passed by the commission, residents will approve or reject the amendment to the city’s charter during the Aug. 20 primary. More from Miami Today.
Transportation
Avelo Airlines to test Miami-to-Orlando route for $46 one-way — faster and mostly cheaper than Brightline
This is only a test. But could it be long before airlines start competing with Brightline’s high-speed rail service with high-volume discount flights between Central and South Florida? Up-and-coming discounter Avelo Airlines announced Wednesday it is taking a flier on the high-volume Miami-Orlando travel market with “seasonal” Boeing 737-800 flights on Fridays and Sundays, between June 7 and Aug. 18.
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Profile
A labor of love
Growing up in farm country along the Florida-Georgia state line, Martha McGill always wanted to work with children. It was a calling, and she was also a bit of a workaholic. Her first job was as a pediatric nurse at a hospital in Valdosta, Georgia. “I worked 7 (days) on, 7 (days) off, and on my week off I got a job at a different medical center caring for children,” she says. Today she’s president of the Central Florida Region of Nemours Children’s Health.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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