Tag: Florida
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The historic ocean liner, destined to become the world’s largest artificial reef, has completed the first segment of its final voyage. The SS United States, a 1,000-foot (305-meter) vessel that broke the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, arrived early Monday in Mobile, Alabama, nearly two weeks after leaving south Philadelphia’s Delaware…
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Two proposed constitutional amendments are targeting the same goal: reducing home insurance costs. Both require approval from Florida voters. Property insurance costs are a major concern for many Floridians. Two different efforts aim to address this issue by amending the state’s constitution. One initiative, led by a group that launched a citizens’ petition campaign, seeks…
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For Hillary Simpson and her family, including two young children, some nights are filled with disturbances. “My kids have been jolted awake in the middle of the night more than once,” she explained to WFTS. Simpson attributes these disruptions to constant noise from a short-term vacation rental located mere feet from her bedroom window in…
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For nearly a year, two Florida news outlets have been conducting an investigation that has uncovered questionable spending, poor workmanship, and a lack of transparency in a state-run program designed to assist victims of Hurricane Irma: First Coast News and WTSP Tampa Bay. Now, the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced an audit…
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A recent poll conducted by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows a growing trend among Florida homeowners: many are willing to forgo property insurance. The poll indicates that housing and property insurance costs are the primary concerns for Floridians. Given the choice, 22% of respondents would choose to go without…
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A proposed constitutional amendment could safeguard Florida policyholders who comply with their contracts from unexpected policy cancellations and premium hikes. A citizen-led initiative, the Florida Constitutional Amendment Network, is working to place property insurance protections on the 2026 ballot, giving voters the power to lower insurance premiums. “People who have lived here for decades are…
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The clock has run out for Florida condo owners to comply with safety regulations enacted after the tragic 2021 Champlain Towers collapse. By December 31, condo associations were required to inspect aging buildings and establish plans to fund ongoing maintenance. As the deadline loomed, the condo market plummeted, with owners listing properties in droves to…
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Governor Ron DeSantis recently voiced his support for ending property taxes in Florida. If successful, Florida would be the first state to eliminate property taxes. However, opponents argue that property taxes are a crucial revenue source for local governments. “Is it your property or not? You’re basically paying rent to the government to live on…
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Florida has kicked off a major project to ease traffic congestion on Interstate 75 near the Turnpike. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of over 30 miles of new lanes on Tuesday. These lanes will stretch from SR-44 in Wildwood to SR-326 in Ocala, aiming to reduce traffic backups where the Florida Turnpike splits from…
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Last week, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state’s insurer of last resort, experienced a significant reduction in its number of policies, dropping nearly 100,000 policies and reaching the lowest total in almost three years. As of Friday, Citizens had 844,688 policies, down from 945,005 policies the previous week and 942,810 policies two weeks earlier. The…
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Tampa Bay continues to lead the nation in attracting new residents, according to two recent economic studies. The 2025 Regional Competitiveness Report and the 2025 Tampa Bay E-Insights Report, released on February 14, compare Tampa Bay with 19 similar metropolitan areas. Key findings include: Overall, the Regional Competitiveness Report highlights continued progress, with Tampa Bay…
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A new bill proposed by a Florida lawmaker could prevent condo associations from accessing state-run Citizens Property Insurance if they fail to comply with updated building safety laws. The move comes after the tragic collapse of a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Miami, on June 24, 2021, which resulted in 98 fatalities. In response, Florida…
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U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) has introduced the Rebuild & Save Act, a bill designed to ease the financial burden on homeowners and small businesses rebuilding after hurricanes and other natural disasters. The legislation proposes increasing the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan mitigation assistance cap from 20% to 30%, potentially providing up to an…
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Dead fish lined two Venice canals as red tide toxins forced residents indoors. “Standing on the seawalls alongside residents near our deployment site was one of the most striking moments,” Kevin Claridge, Vice President for Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Programs at Mote Marine Laboratory, told WTVT. After five years of relentless research, testing, and…
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Driving along the Tampa Bay area coast, the devastation from last year’s hurricanes is unmistakable, with billions of dollars in damages. To better grasp the full extent of this impact, new data reveals over 329,000 residential property insurance claims statewide since the storms hit. However, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR) reports that less…
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The University of South Florida, in collaboration with Neptune Flood, the largest private flood insurance provider in the U.S., has unveiled the results of the 2024 Neptune Consumer Survey of Flood Awareness. This annual survey provides valuable insights into national perceptions of flood risks and insurance coverage. Led by Philip Trocchia, a marketing professor at…
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Five months have passed since Hurricane Helene hit, flooding hundreds of homes in the Tampa Bay area’s beach towns. One resident, Jeff Fuller, is facing significant challenges rebuilding his home after it was inundated by five feet of water. His efforts have been stalled, as he waits for the necessary permits. Fuller, a resident of…
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The City of Treasure Island is set to explore the possibility of waiving additional permit fees for residents rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. At a workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, city commissioners will deliberate on the proposal to eliminate permit fees for both elevating existing homes and for new constructions aimed at replacing hurricane-affected properties.…
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Beachgoers at Lido Beach were met with an unsettling sight as dead fish lined the shore, stretching as far as the eye could see. Some visitors paused to take photos, while others observed the scene in silence. “When we first walked in from the back of the beach, we immediately noticed a line of dead…
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Florida has the most dangerous roads in the U.S. when it comes to intersection crashes, according to a new study analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study, conducted by Simmrin Law Group, found that Florida tops the nation with an average of 5.19 intersection accidents per 100,000 residents—well above the…
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Governor Ron DeSantis has thrown his support behind the growing national movement to eliminate property taxes. While Florida’s state budget relies heavily on sales tax, local governments depend on property taxes to fund essential services like police, fire departments, and schools. Governor DeSantis has voiced his support for this initiative on social media, labeling property…
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New state data reveals that sky-high deductibles are a major reason for insurance claim denials. After enduring years of high insurance premiums, the recent hurricane season has tested insurance companies. However, many Tampa Bay area homeowners feel let down by their insurance providers. Local news WFTS is delving deeper into why numerous hurricane claims are…
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When Hurricane Helene struck, it was just another chapter in the history of flooding for the home recently acquired by Melanie Cook and her partner Shawn, months before last year’s relentless storms. Realizing the home’s recurrent flooding issues, the couple felt they had no choice but to elevate their house. “Until we elevate, the threat…
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A recent study from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota has uncovered a possible connection between red tide algal blooms and the long-term acidification of Florida’s estuaries. Florida’s coastal residents are all too familiar with the immediate impacts of red tide, which include skin, eye, and throat irritation for humans, as well as massive marine life…
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The Florida Attorney General’s Office has successfully shut down hundreds of fraudulent SunPass websites that were targeting individuals to steal their personal and financial information. SunPass users have reported receiving deceptive toll notices via text messages and emails, a tactic known as “phishing” or “smishing.” These messages often contain links and create a sense of…
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Nearly a quarter of all traffic accidents in Florida involve hit-and-run incidents. Over the past three months, the Florida Highway Patrol has repeatedly requested that local news outlets share photos of these crashes in the Tampa Bay Area where individuals were injured or killed. Critics argue that current laws aren’t stringent enough to deter people…
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Florida condominium owners hoping for relief from escalating fees are finding little support from state leadership. House Speaker Daniel Perez has explicitly ruled out “bailouts,” according to the News Service of Florida, a position previously echoed by State Sen. Jason Pizzo, a South Florida Democrat. Tom Schoeller, president of the Casa Del Mar 1 condo…
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Work is intensifying on a major project aimed at easing traffic congestion along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando. This effort is part of the “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, unveiled by Gov. Ron DeSantis last June, which focuses on enhancing safety and reducing congestion on key roadways across the state. A significant component of this plan,…
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Key Florida lawmakers have indicated that condominium owners should not expect financial “bailouts” to cover increased costs following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, which resulted in 98 fatalities. As the Legislature considers potential changes to condo laws, House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) and Rep. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) stated that…
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Over the weekend, several South Florida beaches were shut down after officials found masses of tar washing up on the shore. The black, sticky substance was observed on beaches in Palm Beach and Broward counties, creating challenges for visitors, who found it adhering to their skin. “There were just masses right on the sand as…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left many homeowners grappling with challenges from flooding to extensive cleanups. Now, a federal regulation may add to their financial woes. The FEMA 50% rule, a complex regulation, could cost affected homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars, catching many off guard. Homeowners in flood zones with substantial damage may not…
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Florida’s agricultural community will soon have access to more state financial assistance for recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s devastating impact. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the expansion of the state’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program during a recent meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The program will offer interest-free…
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Florida regulators have approved revised insurance rates for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., with homeowners holding the most common type of policy facing an average statewide premium increase of 6.6%. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reduced the rate hikes initially proposed by Citizens last year. However, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that many Citizens policyholders…
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Late last year, Florida was battered by not one but two highly destructive hurricanes, Helene and Milton, within a short span, leading to a cascade of damages and financial losses across various sectors, including a notable impact on Disney’s operations. Overview of Hurricanes Helene and Milton Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region…
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It has been about five months since discount retailer Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In that period, the company has closed over 500 stores, reducing its total to fewer than 900 as of February 2025. However, recently filed court documents indicate that hundreds of stores could stay open. Last month, Big Lots…
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A new House bill introduced Wednesday seeks to curb corporate and investment firm purchases of single-family homes, aiming to preserve homeownership opportunities for individual buyers. The Strengthening Home Ownership in Florida Act (HB 401), sponsored by Rep. Berny Jacques, would empower local governments to restrict investor-owned housing, allowing counties and cities to designate areas exclusively…
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Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference at Florida International University in Miami on Wednesday, addressing the escalating property insurance costs in Florida. He announced upcoming rate reductions for property insurance policyholders in South Florida, as well as statewide reductions in auto insurance premiums. Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, and…
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On Tuesday, citrus growers appealed to state lawmakers to continue funding research and advertising as the industry’s production has plummeted by over 90% in less than thirty years. Without this support, many of the 1,500 remaining citrus growers in Florida may abandon the industry. During a session with the Senate Agriculture Committee, Matt Joyner, CEO…
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In an effort to mitigate the impact on Tampa Electric Co. customers, state regulators on Tuesday approved plans for Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida to recover more than $1.55 billion for hurricane-related expenses and to refill storm reserves. Starting in March, customers of both utilities will face higher bills as Tampa Electric and Duke…
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Inflation has tightened many Americans’ budgets, with rising car insurance rates playing a significant role. According to a report by Insurify, an insurance comparison company, car insurance rates saw an average increase of 15% in 2024, bringing the average annual cost of full coverage to $2,313 for U.S. drivers. Here’s where the rates surged the…
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A massive red tide bloom, stretching over 200 miles from Tampa Bay to Key West, has moved ashore along much of Southwest Florida’s coastline. The concentration of Karenia brevis, the organism responsible for red tide, varies across the region—weak in some areas but dense enough in others to stain the blue-green waters a burnt orange…
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Leaders from the Barrier Islands have reached out to President Donald Trump for assistance in the wake of two devastating hurricanes: Helene and Milton. They are collectively drafting a letter to support their communities’ recovery efforts. “It’s been an incredibly tough four months,” said St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila. Mayor Petrila noted that over…
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Florida’s property insurance landscape is seeing a positive shift as the state’s insurance commissioner announced the approval of ten new insurance companies. This move, following recent legislative reforms, aims to inject nearly $300 million in surplus capital into Florida’s beleaguered property insurance market. These new companies are set to provide coverage across the state, with…
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If you’ve never visited Cedar Key, Florida, you’re missing out on one of the state’s most breathtaking coastal spots. Surrounded by sandbars and towering mangroves, its waterways are a true natural gem. However, in recent years, hurricanes have devastated this small community and the aquaculture farms in the Gulf of Mexico. Now, a major cleanup…
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