Tag: Florida
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A new study has named two destinations in the Tampa Bay region as the top spots for U.S. travelers seeking to escape the winter chill, often referred to as “snowbirds.” Englewood and Wauchula have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in HomeToGo’s 2025 Snowbird Escapes Report. These locations were selected based on their…
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A recent study has uncovered that more than 30 high-rise condos and hotels in South Florida, many constructed within the last decade, are experiencing subsidence, with construction activities suspected as a contributing factor. By the Numbers Researchers examined 35 buildings over a 12-mile (19 kilometers) stretch from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles Beach, finding they…
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Three months after Florida faced backlash over plans to build golf courses, pickleball courts, and hotels on state park land, new legislation filed on December 11 by Republican Senator Gayle Harrell indicates that the fight to protect these natural areas is far from over. Preserving Florida’s State Parks Sen. Harrell, whose district includes Jonathan Dickinson…
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The routine of changing the clocks twice a year is once again under scrutiny. Lawmakers have debated the practice of daylight saving time for several years, discussing whether to continue “springing forward” and “falling back” or to eliminate it altogether. Recently, President-elect Donald Trump shared a post on “X,” stating his intention to end daylight…
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Anna Maria, a charming town on Anna Maria Island, has been ranked as the third most expensive place to live in Florida. Known for its serene, laid-back ambiance, the town boasts white sandy beaches and clear blue waters where home prices frequently climb into the millions. RELATED: These are the Florida Cities with the Fastest-Rising…
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The deadline for condominium inspections across the state of Florida is rapidly approaching, following reform laws passed after the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida, in 2021. These laws require structural examinations and mandate that associations build their reserve funds for maintenance and repairs. After the collapse of Champlain…
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Florida law enforcement is reminding residents that porch pirates—those who steal packages from doorsteps—can now face third-degree felony charges if the stolen property is valued at $40 or more. This new legislation, which took effect in October, aims to deter package thefts, especially during the holiday season. A third-degree felony in Florida carries a penalty…
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Hillsborough County has extended the local state of emergency initially declared after Hurricane Milton. On Sunday, County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order to prolong the state of local emergency. This emergency declaration empowers the County Administrator and emergency managers to swiftly take necessary actions to ensure the community’s health, safety, and welfare. It…
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Despite some stabilization in Florida’s volatile property insurance market, homeowners and condo owners are still grappling with some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. An emerging trend sees more individuals choosing to “go bare” by opting out of traditional home insurance in favor of self-insuring, a move that experts view with significant concern.…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread and costly destruction. So, representative Linda Chaney (R.) from St. Pete Beach is pushing for legislative changes to adjust aspects of FEMA’s 50% rule, aiming to facilitate recovery for homeowners. Chaney represents an area where many residents experienced significant damage from the consecutive October storms. Her proposed bill seeks…
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Residents and businesses have until December 31 to file a claim in a class action lawsuit challenging Hillsborough County’s 1% sales surtax, which a Florida court determined was unconstitutional. RELATED: Hillsborough Transportation Tax Refunds Receive Final Approval – How to Get Yours The surtax, which was in effect from 2019 to 2021, applied to a…
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While U.S. inflation saw a slight uptick in November, renters received some welcome news: rental prices are declining. A recent analysis of listings on Rent.com and Redfin.com reveals that the median asking rent fell by 0.7% year-over-year in November, settling at $1,595. This marks a 6.2% drop from the August 2022 peak of $1,700, which…
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This year is shaping up to be the deadliest for Florida panthers since 2016. Over 10% of the known panther population has died so far, primarily due to vehicle collisions on increasingly busy roads in southwest Florida. To date, 32 panthers have been killed, with most fatalities occurring as they attempted to cross highways. Traci…
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In the midst of the busiest time of year for the United States Postal Service, over half a dozen post offices in the Tampa Bay area remain closed due to damage from consecutive hurricanes. Customers are growing frustrated with the lack of a clear timeline for reopening. Jim Reatherford, a long-time user of a P.O.…
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The car insurance sector is bracing for multibillion-dollar losses due to vehicle damage from recent hurricanes, which could push up insurance rates next year. Eva Kelly-Cubells experienced firsthand the chaos caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as her 2016 Chevy Cruze, along with many others, was submerged. The 86-year-old from Punta Gorda, along with her…
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The Florida citrus industry is bracing for one of its smallest harvests in more than a century, with production projections for the 2024-2025 season slashed due to Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact. According to an updated forecast released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Florida is expected to produce just 12 million 90-pound boxes…
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Residents of Zephyrhills are preparing to take legal action against their county, alleging mismanagement of water resources and development that has led to significant property damage. Robert Woods, a local property owner, claims he has suffered nearly $60,000 in flood-related damages and believes the county’s water management practices are directly responsible. Woods points to a…
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A recent study conducted by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has shed light on a growing issue for homeowners across the state: permit denials tied to lookback periods. According to the findings, 14.5% of homeowners have faced denial when attempting to pull permits for renovations or repairs due to previous, undocumented changes to…
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An emergency order preventing insurance companies from issuing non-renewal or cancellation notices to policyholders in hurricane-affected areas is set to expire today, Tuesday, December 10. The order, which has been in effect since September 26, offered temporary relief to homeowners in areas impacted by storms. Once it expires, insurance companies may resume their standard practices…
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Florida’s manatee population shows promising signs of recovery, with baby manatee deaths dropping to approximately 28% of total mortality as of late November, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The state has recorded 517 manatee deaths in 2024, with 144 being newborn calves. While this number is higher than in previous…
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For Pinellas residents trying to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, navigating the permitting process has been a confusing and time-consuming ordeal. One of the biggest hurdles is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “50% rule,” which mandates that any home requiring repairs or renovations exceeding half of its value must be…
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The remains of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard were found on Friday, four days after she fell into a sinkhole in Pennsylvania while searching for her cat. Investigators reported that her car was parked just about 20 feet from the sinkhole, which had opened above a site where coal was mined about 70 years ago. Here in…
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If you’ve ever found yourself stuck at a stoplight during rush hour, Florida’s outdated traffic signal system may be the culprit. A new study suggests modernizing the system with advanced technologies could ease congestion, reduce accidents, and cut emissions. RELATED: How Many Red Light Runners Are There in Pinellas County? Jeff Brandes, president of the…
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Florida is harnessing its sunny skies like never before, climbing to second place nationally for solar energy capacity, just behind Texas. This year alone, nearly 30,000 Floridians have installed solar panels, marking a significant milestone for renewable energy in the Sunshine State. “It’s called the Sunshine State for a reason,” said Stephen Smith, CEO of…
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In a contentious 4-3 decision, the Naples City Council has voted to discontinue fluoridating the city’s water supply, a move that has sparked intense debate among residents and medical professionals. The decision, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, comes after months of public discussion and conflicting testimony from various experts. The controversy intensified…
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In a dramatic display of predatory prowess, an enormous alligator was recently captured on video dragging a massive Burmese python through Florida’s Everglades National Park. The remarkable encounter, documented in late November, showcased the alligator’s impressive size and hunting capabilities. Experienced Everglades tour guide Kelly Alvarez described the alligator as one of the largest she…
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Financial challenges—ranging from mounting debt to inflation and stagnant wages—are affecting millions of Americans. A new study by WalletHub ranks the states where residents experience the highest levels of financial distress. The study analyzed six factors to identify trends in financial hardship, including: Financial distress was defined as having accounts in forbearance or with deferred…
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Approximately 15% of Florida homeowners choose to self-insure their properties amid the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis, but experts caution that this option carries significant risks. What Does Self-Insuring Mean? Self-insuring involves setting aside funds in a savings or investment account to cover potential repairs or rebuilding costs instead of purchasing a traditional insurance policy.…
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With the December 31st inspection deadline fast approaching, Florida condo owners are confronting the consequences of years of deferred maintenance. While state lawmakers promise to revisit the issue in the next legislative session, time is running out for those in communities facing steep repair costs. State leaders in Tallahassee urge patience, but experts argue that…
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FEMA has allocated an additional $114 million in funding for debris removal in the aftermath of the recent hurricane season. This funding is designated for several areas in the Tampa Bay region, including: According to FEMA, the agency has provided $927.6 million for Hurricane Milton, $378.3 million for Hurricane Helene, and $102.4 million for Hurricane…
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The answer depends on whether the tree was healthy or dying. This distinction is crucial due to a legal principle known as an “act of God.” Imagine this: a tree crashes into your home, leaving you with significant damage to repair. If the tree was on your property, you’d need to navigate the insurance claim…
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Slow permitting processes and lack of FEMA inspections are pushing some property owners to the brink. Wading through the bureaucracy and waiting for determinations and approvals is tempting more than some to proceed with repairs, even if it isn’t authorized. Wanting to return to normalcy as soon as possible, it’s difficult to resist just going…
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Local leaders are eagerly awaiting the rollout of a new state program aimed at helping residents whose homes were left uninhabitable after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In St. Petersburg alone, approximately 16,000 homes sustained damage from the back-to-back storms, leaving the city in dire need of external support. During a committee meeting on Nov. 21,…
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It might be time to reconsider if you love your black plastic spatula, convenient to-go food containers, or kids’ toys made of black plastic. Recent research suggests that black plastic products, often made from recycled electronic waste, can be toxic. A study titled “From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items add to…
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has recovered $1 million worth of gold coins stolen from the wrecks of Spanish treasure ships that sank off Florida’s coast during a hurricane in 1715. A member of a family that discovered a ‘treasure trove’ of 101 coins from these wrecks has been accused of selling…
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The state of Florida is stepping in to assist beach communities overwhelmed by a surge in permit requests following back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. State Representative Linda Chaney revealed that nearly 700 requests for state support have been submitted, with 83% already fulfilled and the remainder in progress. St. Pete Beach was one of the…
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As Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo calls on cities and counties to remove fluoride from their water supplies, warnings are surfacing from communities that have faced the consequences of doing so. RELATED: Florida Surgeon General Opposes Water Fluoridation, Calls It ‘Public Health Malpractice’ Some warn that eliminating fluoride—a measure the CDC calls one of the…
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The 2024 hurricane season is drawing to a close, bringing a sense of relief to Tampa Bay area residents after a year marked by relentless storms. This season produced 18 named storms, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivering the greatest impact on the region. “These were major events for us,” said Mark Wool, a meteorologist…
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In Citrus County’s Floral City, the River Bend Cattle Company is a place where tradition meets innovation, offering a glimpse into the future of ranching while honoring its past. First-generation cattle rancher Billy Bevers, who manages the company with his wife Megan, opens the gates of their operation to visitors, encouraging them to learn more…
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Amid Rising Gas Prices, AAA Predicts 4.1 Million Floridians Will Still Hit the Road for Thanksgiving
AAA projects that over 4.5 million Floridians will travel this Thanksgiving week, with 4.1 million opting for road trips. Drivers should anticipate higher costs at the pump this year. Florida’s average gas price rose to $3.12 on Sunday, up from an average of $3.01 per gallon last week. AAA reports that crude oil prices increased…
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Florida residents impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene now have until January 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance. Eligible homeowners and renters may receive financial aid for displacement, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses that are uninsured or underinsured. How to Apply: For accessible instructions on applying, visit FEMA’s YouTube…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed Fort Myers Beach on probation from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), causing concern among residents. “Really, really unfair. Extremely unfair. You know, we should all be treated equally,” said Fort Myers Beach resident Kevin Mahoney. Officials stated that FEMA will also downgrade the town’s Community Rating…
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