2024 hurricane season begins & Disney's $17B investment in Orlando
June 6, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Here’s the latest from Florida…
2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs through November 30, with experts forecasting a highly active season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-average season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes, primarily due to extremely warm tropical water temperatures and the anticipated development of La Niña conditions in the Pacific. The May forecast is the highest number of storms ever predicted by NOAA. An average storm season brings 14 named storms, but 2020 saw a record of 30 named storms as weather patterns are trending more destructive. While the peak of the season typically occurs in August, September, and early October, current sea surface temperatures resemble those usually seen in late summer. This raises concerns about the possibility of an early onset of hurricane activity. Forecasters advise residents in hurricane-prone regions to prioritize preparedness, monitor local weather updates, and follow official safety guidelines, regardless of the predicted number of storms.
Disney plans $17B investment in Orlando
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) is set to adopt a new development agreement with The Walt Disney Company, potentially bringing up to $17 billion in investments to Disney World over the next 10 to 20 years. This move signifies a significant step forward in resolving long-running disputes between Governor Ron DeSantis, the CFTOD, and the entertainment giant. Stephanie Kopelousos, administrator of the district, says the substantial investment by Walt Disney World is expected to spur economic growth, create jobs, and support local businesses while promoting “environmental stewardship and workforce housing.” Under the 15-year agreement, Disney commits at least $10 million to affordable housing and will ensure at least 50% of construction work is awarded to Florida-based businesses. The proposed agreement covers the existing 17,300-acre resort property and authorizes five major theme parks – one more than the company currently operates. It also allows for a maximum of five minor theme parks, such as water parks, 1.3 million square feet of office space, 1.7 million square feet of restaurant and retail space, and over 53,000 hotel rooms. This agreement follows a settlement in a state court lawsuit between Disney and the district over development issues, nullifying prior agreements made by the company before the state takeover in February 2023. Disney’s investment signals a possible new theme park in Central Florida, as part of its broader $60 billion global expansion of cruise lines and parks. The investment and improved relations between Disney and state officials come amid intensifying theme park competition as Universal Orlando is set to open its new park, Epic Universe, in 2025.
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins
As the Atlantic hurricane season kicked off on June 1, Floridians can begin taking advantage of the annual Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, running from June 1 to June 14. During this period, residents can purchase essential hurricane supplies tax-free to ensure they are well-prepared for the anticipated active storm season. Qualifying items include wet dog or cat food, manual can openers, pet bowls, cat litter pans, reusable ice, leashes and collars for pets, portable light sources, and portable generators. This sales tax holiday is designed to encourage residents to stock up on essential supplies, promote disaster preparedness, and ensure the safety of Floridians during hurricane season. There is no limit on the number of tax-free items that can be purchased.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Florida's use of 6-person juries
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a constitutional challenge to Florida’s use of six-member juries in most felony trials. Florida, along with a few other states, does not require 12-member juries in criminal cases. Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented, arguing the court should revisit a 1970 ruling, known as Williams v. Florida, that upheld six-member juries under the Sixth Amendment, asserting the right to a jury trial necessitates 12 members. Gorsuch emphasized that Floridians could urge a change to jury practices to ensure a unanimous decision by 12 peers is required for criminal convictions. The state's practice of six-member juries dates back to 1877, with exceptions for capital cases, which mandate 12-member juries.
Tampa middle schooler triumphs at Scripps National Spelling Bee
Tampa Bay emerges victorious for the second year in a row as Bruhat Soma, a 12-year-old rising eighth-grader at Turner/Bartels K-8 School in New Tampa, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C. Soma is the second local Spelling Bee winner in two years after Dev Shah, a former student of Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School in Pinellas County, was declared the 2023 champion. This year’s battle ended in a rare spell-off, showcasing Soma’s exceptional spelling abilities that included overcoming a challenging series of words such as “habitude,” “indumentum,” “dehnstufe”, “Okvik,” and “Hoofddorp,” to reach the final round. He earned the coveted trophy after his third year participating in the century-old competition.
Florida becomes first to allow C-section births outside of hospitals
Florida has become the first U.S. state to allow doctors to perform cesarean sections outside of hospitals, following a new law permitting "advanced birth centers" to offer the procedure to low-risk patients. Proponents argue the move will reduce costs and provide a more comfortable birthing environment. However, the hospital industry and leading obstetricians warn that performing C-sections in doctor-run clinics could increase risks for mothers and babies, as even low-risk pregnancies can unexpectedly develop life-threatening complications. Critics contend that clinics, even with enhanced regulation, cannot match the safety standards of hospitals.
Education officials reject Title IX changes
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has revised its bylaws, replacing all mentions of "gender" with "sex," amid the debate over the Biden Administration’s proposed Title IX amendments. The State Board of Education approved these changes, with Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. opposing the federal rewrite aimed at providing LGBTQ+ protections and extending regulations to apply to gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination. He criticized the Biden administration’s changes and instructed schools not to comply with the federal proposal while Florida contests it in court. "By broadening the definition of sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity, the Biden administration is taking sports and educational opportunities away from girls," Diaz stated.
Rays unveil "intimate" ballpark renderings for new St. Petersburg stadium
The Tampa Bay Rays released renderings and more details of their proposed $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District. With a capacity of 30,000 fixed seats and additional standing room for up to another 4,000 fans, the new stadium aims to be the "most intimate ballpark in baseball." The tiered, pavilion-style roof design will reach 240 feet above the field and lowers above the seating area to create a more engaging and inviting space. A minimized foul territory, shortened distance between home plate and the backstop, and reduced seating capacity will bring fans closer to the action on the field. Additionally, 70% of seats will be situated below the top-level deck. The design includes large glass windows for natural light that can open on cooler days for airflow, operational glass walls leading to covered balconies, and a 360-degree concourse. The stadium, part of a $6 billion redevelopment plan for the Historic Gas Plant District of downtown St. Petersburg, is set for a vote by the City Council and Pinellas County Commissioners in July. If approved, construction will begin in January 2025 for an Opening Day 2028 debut.
Orange County schools advocate for half-cent sales tax renewal
Orange County Public Schools leaders delivered their State of the Schools address at Edgewater High School on Monday, discussing topics such as school discipline, teacher shortages, and school ratings. A key focus was urging voters to approve the renewal of the half-penny sales tax in November to address overcrowding and fund school construction. District leaders emphasized that the tax has generated over $4 billion since its approval in 2002, funding crucial renovations, expansions, and construction of 65 new school buildings. The tax was renewed in 2014 as Orange County ranks as the eighth-largest school district in the U.S. and faces significant infrastructure needs amid rising enrollment due to a growing resident population. If renewed, the sales tax will remain at 6.5% for another 10 years; however, allowing the half-cent allocation to expire, the county’s sales tax will drop to 6%. More than half of the half-cent tax revenue comes from tourists and non-residents, according to the school district.
NIL approved for high school athletes
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) unanimously voted Tuesday to allow high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This new ruling, effective for the 2024-25 school year, permits endorsement deals while maintaining athletic eligibility. Florida joins over 30 other states in embracing NIL for student-athletes. However, there are restrictions: only parents or guardians can negotiate NIL deals, and using school logos or uniforms is prohibited. Violations will result in penalties, ranging from formal warnings to athletic bans. The move marks a significant shift in high school sports, aligning with broader trends in athlete compensation and acknowledging their value beyond the playing field.
Protests in Lakeland following violent arrest of 16-year-old
More than 100 protesters gathered in front of the Lakeland Police Department on Saturday, demanding justice for a 16-year-old boy who was seen in a violent interaction with two officers during an arrest. The incident occurred on Memorial Day and video footage shows the officers hitting and tasing the teen, identified as Jahmal Hudson Jr., who was accused of trespassing at an apartment complex pool area. Hudson’s family says he suffered multiple injuries following the altercation. The incident has sparked outrage among community members and activists, who believe the situation was racially charged and are calling for criminal charges to be filed against the officers and the woman who called 911. According to the affidavit from the Lakeland Police Department, Hudson is accused of ignoring lawful orders to leave the property and striking one of the officers in the face. Police Chief Sam Taylor has requested an administrative review of the incident. Meanwhile, protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations every Saturday until appropriate action is taken against those involved.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport’s $110M expansion
Following a record-breaking year with 2.49 million travelers, the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is set to embark on a $110 million main terminal expansion project. The airport director, Thomas Jewsbury, emphasized the need for expansion to accommodate the growing demand, stating that the project will allow for additional destinations and new airlines. The expansion will include four new gates with jet bridges, a centralized TSA checkpoint, and new food and beverage concessions. Additionally, a new parking garage is in the works to address the limited parking space during busy travel days. The project is expected to take four years to complete and will allow the airport to accommodate an additional 1 million passengers annually. Last year's record-breaking passenger count resulted in a $3.4 billion economic impact for the area.
Pasco County property values grow as housing market cools
Located above Tampa Bay and nestled on Florida's west coast, recent property value estimates for Pasco County reveal continued growth, albeit at a slightly slower pace than last year. Dade City saw the highest increase at 20.4%, rising from $550.4 million to $662.7 million in collective value, highlighting ongoing development and growth across the county. The County Commission and Pasco School Board values rose by 12.8% and 10.7%, respectively, compared to last year despite broader real estate cooling. Dade City's growth, which includes $88 million in new construction, will help fund essential services and infrastructure projects, including a wastewater treatment plant relocation, road improvements, a new splash pad/accessible playground, and hiring staff. Overall, Pasco’s property value now stands at $53.68 billion, up from $47.59 billion, reflecting the addition of $2.96 billion in new developments over the last year.
West Tampa Makeover: Rome Yards development breaks ground
Tampa city leaders broke ground on the Rome Yards development, an 18-acre project designed to revitalize the West Tampa area. The venture is a collaboration between the Tampa Housing Authority, City of Tampa, and Related Urban Development Group. The waterfront project aims to transform a former maintenance yard into a vibrant community space between Rome Avenue and the Hillsborough River. The first phase of the Rome Yards Master Plan will feature an 11-story residential tower called The Gallery which is slated for completion in December 2026. The tower will reserve 80% of its 234 units for households at or below 80% of the area median income, addressing the need for affordable housing in the region. Currently, over 16,000 families in Hillsborough County are on the waitlist for affordable housing. In addition to residential units, Rome Yards will include five "live/work" units designed for business owners and artists. A workforce training center offering financial literacy and other services will also be constructed. The development is part of ongoing efforts to transform the West Tampa area, joining other initiatives like the West River development and the opening of new retail and bank locations.
Sunshine or Smog: Florida cities ranked among ‘dirtiest’ in U.S.
Online lawn care and mowing platform LawnStarter recently ranked 150 of the largest U.S. cities based on factors like pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and customer satisfaction. Hollywood, located in Broward County, topped the list for Florida, ranking highest in the state for poor living conditions at No. 18. Other Florida cities on the list include Fort Lauderdale (No. 20), Orlando (No. 24), and Tampa (No. 38). When examining pollution rankings, Orlando edged out Hollywood by three spots. Meanwhile, Houston, Newark, and San Bernardino were named the dirtiest cities in the country, respectively.
Rolling Stones concert delivers $20M economic boost to Orlando
The Rolling Stones' Orlando performance, part of their 2024 tour, attracted over 40,000 fans to Camping World Stadium on Monday, generating an estimated $20 million for the local economy, according to venue officials. It was the only Florida stop on the tour, with the iconic rock group drawing attendees from across the country and even the world.
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