Tag: Florida
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In an effort to strengthen school safety, Florida has introduced new measures to address a troubling rise in false school threat reports, many stemming from misuse of the FortifyFL app. Designed to allow students to anonymously report suspicious activity, the app has inadvertently caused a surge in fake tips, overwhelming law enforcement and school administrators.…
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The Florida real estate market, initially ignited by the pandemic, remains active—albeit at a steadier pace. Limited housing inventory continues to fuel competition among buyers, pushing up prices for affordable homes. In October, the median home value in the U.S. reached $360,385, reflecting a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year. While rising mortgage rates…
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Following the devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, far too many Florida homeowners are grappling with property insurance claim issues. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis urges those affected to contact his office before seeking outside help for their insurance claims. For Kris Yarborough, the aftermath of the storms has meant seeing decades of hard work and…
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Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has issued new guidelines urging cities and counties across the state to discontinue adding fluoride to public drinking water. Speaking at a news conference in Winter Haven—where officials recently decided to end water fluoridation by year’s end—Dr. Ladapo described the practice as “public health malpractice” based on current research.…
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Demonstrating unsurprising demand, the “My Safe Florida Condo” pilot program, designed to help Florida condo associations fortify their buildings, reached its application capacity within just three days. Allocated $30 million as part of the broader “My Safe Florida Home” initiative, the program allows each condo association to receive up to $175,000. This means approximately 170…
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Great news for Florida drivers: Circle K Fuel Day is back! On Thursday, November 21, Circle K locations across the state that sell gas will offer a special promotion with a significant discount on fuel. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., customers can enjoy a savings of 40 cents off every gallon of gas at…
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Florida’s largest property insurer, Citizens Property Insurance, closed 50% of its claims without payment in 2023, according to a report by Weiss Ratings, an independent Florida-based ratings agency. The report revealed that Citizens denied payment in approximately 17,000 cases last year, resulting in a non-payment rate of 50.4%. This rate surpasses private insurers such as…
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When it comes to winning big in the Powerball lottery, Florida has proven to be a major contender. Since joining the multi-state lottery in 2009, the Sunshine State has consistently ranked among the top states for producing jackpot winners. With its booming population, year-round tourism, and enthusiastic lottery culture, Florida has solidified its reputation as…
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With just over a week remaining in the 2024 hurricane season, the tropical activity seems to have settled. The National Hurricane Center reports that no new tropical developments are expected in the next seven days. This season has seen 18 named storms, 11 of which intensified into hurricanes. Among these, five reached major hurricane status…
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Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, known as “The Monkey Whisperer,” is facing new animal trafficking charges, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Hammonds, 61, from Parrish, Florida, and his brother, Johny ‘D-Lane’ Hammonds, 59, from St. Petersburg, have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and Lacey Act trafficking. If convicted on all…
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A record number of Floridians are set to hit the road this Thanksgiving, according to AAA, with travel numbers expected to surpass all previous years. Over 4.5 million Floridians are projected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday season, marking an all-time high. This represents an increase of nearly 112,000 travelers compared to last…
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Average gas prices in Florida have risen by 3.2 cents per gallon over the past week, according to a GasBuddy survey. This, was just after a recent drop, when the average price at the pump dropped modestly below $3 per gallon. The survey, which included 8,237 gas stations across Florida, reported an average price of…
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Once known primarily for its sprawling citrus groves, Polk County, Florida, has become the fastest-growing county in the United States, with nearly 30,000 new residents moving in last year alone. Nestled between Tampa and Orlando, this former citrus powerhouse has seen acres of groves replaced with housing developments and big-box stores, earning it the tongue-in-cheek…
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The Mirror Lake neighborhood in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida may soon become a historic district, preserving its low-rise, pedestrian-friendly character. The city’s Community Planning and Preservation Commission unanimously approved a citizen-initiated application to designate the area as a local historic district. The proposed designation, led by the preservation group Preserve the Burg, must be approved…
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Tropical Depression 19 formed in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday and is likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to forecasters. The system is currently about 250 miles east of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, moving west at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, the Weather…
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A tropical disturbance, Invest 99L, is on the verge of becoming Tropical Storm or Hurricane Sara and could impact Florida’s West Coast next week, according to forecasters. Tropical Storm Sara “could form at any time” in the Caribbean Sea, shared ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips in a Wednesday morning update. Florida, already battered…
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The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that gas prices in Florida are trending lower after a 15-cent increase. Last week, Florida’s average gas price nearly fell below the $3 per gallon mark, according to a new AAA report. The average dropped to $3.01 per gallon last Monday before rising by an average of 14 cents.…
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FEMA recently announced a policy update to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), offering a more manageable payment option that could make flood insurance more affordable for many Floridians. Under this change, homeowners can now opt to pay their flood insurance premiums in monthly installments instead of a single annual lump sum. “Traditionally, premiums were…
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Florida’s unique ecosystem is under constant threat from invasive species, and the latest addition to this list is the caecilian, a legless amphibian native to South America. These peculiar creatures, often mistaken for worms or snakes, have recently been discovered in the Tamiami Canal in South Florida1. Here’s how they became a problematic invasive species:…
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As the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season enters its final weeks, forecasters are monitoring a new area of low pressure in the western Caribbean Sea that could strengthen into a tropical depression or storm later this week. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the environmental conditions in the region appear conducive for gradual development of…
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An 11-year-old girl from Florida, Brooke Mejeur, tragically lost her life after being thrown overboard and fatally struck by a boat’s propeller on Palm Beach County’s Lake Osborne. Brooke was on a 20-foot pontoon boat with two unnamed adults and two unnamed minors when she was accidentally ejected. The boat’s bow suddenly dropped without warning,…
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The Florida Public Service Commission has approved Duke Energy’s request to reduce rates and lower customer bills starting in January 2025. This rate reduction is part of Duke Energy’s annual fuel cost adjustment for electricity generation and other clause adjustments. According to Duke Energy, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see a $9.77…
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As winter approaches, manatees in Florida are beginning their seasonal migration to warmer waters. “As fall temperatures drop, manatees start making their way to Florida springs, power plant discharge areas, and other warm-water sites to overwinter until temperatures rise again in the spring,” explains Michelle Pasawicz, Coordinator of the Manatee Management Program for the Florida…
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This evening, SpaceX is set to launch nearly 6,000 pounds of essential supplies, food, and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch will take place from Florida, on Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, with liftoff scheduled for 9:29 p.m. ET, timed precisely to align the…
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A rare silver-haired bat, typically not found in Florida, was recently discovered near a beachfront condo in Satellite Beach, just north of Melbourne, Florida. According to WILD Florida Rescue’s Facebook post, a local resident spotted the bat and safely contained it in a bucket until the rescue team arrived. Silver-haired bats, native to other parts…
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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently monitoring three areas for possible tropical development, with the Caribbean system showing the highest potential for strengthening into Tropical Storm Patty. Caribbean System Most Likely to Develop A low-pressure system in the southwestern Caribbean presents the strongest chance of development, with forecasters giving it a 70 percent probability…
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Clearwater is gearing up to celebrate its Tampa Bay veterans and community spirit at the annual Clearwater Patriot Fest on November 9th at Coachman Park. This year’s event takes on special significance as the community recovers from recent hurricanes. The festival, running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater, promises a…
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If you’ve ever used free Wi-Fi at an airport or coffee shop, cyber experts say it’s time to think twice. Hackers may be lurking, ready to steal your information through a tactic known as the “evil twin” scam. With free Wi-Fi now widely available in public places—from coffee shops to auto repair shops—hackers are exploiting…
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Mountain Mike’s Pizza, the California chain renowned for its signature curly pepperonis and oversized 20-inch pizzas, is launching its first Florida locations. The expansion comes through a 10-unit agreement covering Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando, led by Mountain Mike’s franchisee Sean Morrison, CEO of BizBox Restaurant Group, in partnership with Multipli Capital founder Ned Algeo. The…
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States will now be able to apply for waivers to accept digital identification cards, provided they comply with REAL ID protocols. With the deadline approaching for Florida travelers to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card, federal officials have introduced new guidelines for using digital IDs. Under the REAL ID Act of…
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Two Florida haunted attractions have been ranked among the nation’s best by USA Today readers, just in time for Halloween thrills. For those eager to celebrate with a terrifying experience, the Sunshine State offers two top-rated options. USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 recognized Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail in Plant City and the 13th…
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Clearwater’s Island Estates residents are increasingly concerned about health and safety as debris piles up in their waterways. New residents Jewell and Michael Ullvens, who recently moved from Tarpon Springs to a canal-front home, prepared as best they could for Hurricane Helene. “We had water going up and down the streets,” Jewell Ullvens shared. “It…
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Florida condo owners are already facing higher fees due to new safety regulations, but many are now questioning whether the state’s fragile property insurance market can handle back-to-back hurricane damage. “This year, with these two big hurricanes [Helene and Milton], we’re anticipating a big increase,” said Pat Hutson, a condo owner in Tampa. “I’m very…
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Pasco County leaders have announced the launch of a new community in Holiday, offering temporary housing to approximately 100 storm victims. In July, the county purchased a two-acre property on Grand Boulevard with plans to create a temporary homeless shelter. However, following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the need for housing became more urgent. Cathy Pearson,…
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With the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 3, Florida will transition back to standard time. This means sunrise and sunset will occur an hour earlier, and we will continue to lose daylight until the winter solstice. In the Tampa-St. Pete region, we’ll lose about a minute and a half of daylight each day…
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Ybor City is gearing up for the holidays! The 14th annual Ybor City Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on November 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1600 E. 7th Ave. This cherished event in Hillsborough County officially kicks off the festive season in one of Tampa’s most historic districts, made even more…
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Back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton have pushed many Florida residents to their breaking point, with homeowners in flood-prone areas rushing to list their properties and relocate to safer ground – or leave the state entirely. “We’re not going to move back into this house, it was very traumatic, and I don’t want to go through…
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The beloved Stone Crab Festival, a Clearwater Beach tradition for nearly four decades, is moving to Dunedin this year after recent hurricanes forced the closure of five Frenchy’s and Clear Sky restaurant locations. The festival will be held at Frenchy’s Seafood Market on the Dunedin Causeway (501 Causeway Blvd.) on Friday, October 25th, from 4-10…
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Hurricane Milton heavily impacted Tampa Bay, exacerbating damage already caused by Hurricane Helene. Many homeowners, especially those lacking wind and flood protection, face further challenges, and reinsurance prices are expected to rise. Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance will absorb much of the loss, though national insurers will also be significantly affected. Hurricane Milton’s Devastating Impact: Economic…
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Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused widespread damage across Florida, with the former heavily impacting Georgia and North Carolina. The death toll has surpassed 300 lives lost, and there’s nearly a month and a half before the official end of the 2024 hurricane season. At last count, 92 people remain unaccounted for in North Carolina,…
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The regional air hub serving St. Petersburg and Clearwater has announced a temporary suspension of operations beginning Tuesday afternoon. The terminal will cease activities following the departure of its final scheduled flight. Key points for travelers: Travelers are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines directly for the most up-to-date information regarding flight cancellations and…
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Florida has once again solidified its status as a hub for the ultra-wealthy. A recent Forbes report revealed that 54 billionaires from the Sunshine State made the prestigious Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans. (photo credit Forbes) Leading the pack is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, who holds the title of Florida’s wealthiest…
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Federal officials have proposed a rule to implement the REAL ID requirements in phases, offering potential flexibility before the final deadline. Under the 2005 REAL ID Act, Florida travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, ID card, or other accepted documentation to board domestic flights, enter federal buildings, or nuclear power plants. Though the…
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The southeastern United States continues to grapple with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as the death toll climbs and millions remain without basic services. As of Tuesday morning, at least 133 fatalities have been confirmed across six states, with North Carolina bearing the brunt of the loss at 56 deaths. South Carolina follows with…
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