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Florida's grocery store wars are escalating - At least a dozen grocery chains are planning new stores in the Sunshine State in 2026. They include Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, Harris Teeter, Costco, Walmart, BJ's Wholesale, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Target, and Bravo Supermarkets. Why are so many chains looking to add stores in Florida and what does it mean for consumers when concerns are high over rising grocery prices? "They're opening new stores because of the increasing number of people wanting to live in Florida," said Sofia Johan, an associate professor of finance with Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. "The question is whether these new grocery stores are going to make our groceries cheaper." [Source: Florida Times-Union]
El Niño is heating up faster than expected. Here’s what that means for hurricane season. - El Niño is likely to show up sooner than previously expected, as early as late May, meaning it could have a better chance of hindering hurricanes later in the season, experts say. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in an update on Thursday that El Niño has an 82% chance of emerging from May to July 2026. The earlier it forms, the more likely it is to have an impact on hurricane season, which officially begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Demand for cruises appears undimmed despite onboard outbreaks -
Recent outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on cruise ships are making headlines, but they’re unlikely to dim the growing popularity of vacation cruises, according to industry representatives and travel experts. In fact, many within the industry still expect a record number of people worldwide to take cruises this year despite three passengers aboard the MV Hondius dying from hantavirus after the ship stopped in Argentina and a recent norovirus outbreak aboard a British ship docked in Bordeaux, France. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida defends redistricting plan in first court test - As the state faces the first legal test of its new congressional map, it’s arguing that upcoming elections are too close to make any more changes. On Friday, a Tallahassee judge heard arguments from groups pushing to temporarily block Florida’s redistricting move ahead of the midterm elections. Mohammad Jazil, an attorney representing the state, said the court had “no need to rush” and that any ruling should only be done after a proper trial. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Bay is deep in drought. Is development adding to its water woes? [Tampa Bay Times] - Florida has withered under dry skies for months. Rivers and streams are barren. Wildfires have blazed. Farmers have called this one of the worst droughts they’ve seen. The lack of rain has led officials to enact burn bans and tighter water restrictions across the state. For Tampa Bay residents forced to cut back on watering their lawns, our region’s water supply has become a hot-button issue. Some have pointed out a glaring observation: This dry spell comes at a time of near-record growth.
Report on Brightline seems scary, but rail line says good times ahead [Palm Beach Post] - Brightline has seen rising ridership this year and has lost less money than in years past, but its April 30 financial report shows that the high-speed rail line with trains from Miami through Broward and Palm Beach counties all the way to Orlando, may be teetering. The annual financial statement, prepared by the consulting firm Ernst & Young, states that Brightline lost more than $233 million in 2025 despite higher revenues than the year before.
Mississippi bank snags major Orlando community bank in $377.6M deal [Orlando Business Journal] - One Florida Bank is being acquired by an out-of-state group. Gulfport, Mississippi-based Hancock Whitney Corp. (Nasdaq: HWC), the parent company of Hancock Whitney Bank, announced the acquisition of One Florida Bank's parent company, OFB Bancshares Inc. The all-cash transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, is a $377.6 million deal for one of Orlando's major community banks.
Rays deal moves closer to reality — and a political fight [Tampa Bay Business & Wealth] - The Tampa Bay Rays may finally have a framework in place for a new stadium deal in Tampa, but the project now enters its most difficult phase as Hillsborough County commissioners and Tampa City Council members prepare to decide how much public money they are willing to commit to keep the franchise in the region. The Rays announced Thursday that the organization reached a memorandum of understanding with representatives from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa on a proposed ballpark development tied to Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus.
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