Retirees enjoying a camping trip. Public Domain photo

Retiring Workers Will Soon Impact Many Florida Cities

February 6, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Moving To Florida
Photo:Public Domain
The cascade will come from people already living in the Sunshine State

Florida has long offered some of the best places to retire, offering warmer winters, tax advantages, and an abundance of recreational activities for people. However, with a significant portion of the population in certain Florida cities on the cusp of retirement, the state is poised for substantial demographic shifts.

According to recent data from SmartAsset, Pembroke Pines and Cape Coral top the list of cities in the state with the highest percentage of residents nearing retirement. More than 17% of the population in Pembroke Pines is approaching retirement age, while Cape Coral follows closely behind at 16.69%. Many other Florida cities will see a large percentage of their populations taking the gold watch and calling it a day on their careers as well.

Disney World’s Star Wars Hotel to Be Repurposed as Office Space

Disney World’s Star Wars Hotel to Be Repurposed as Office Space

February 3, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Theme Parks, Things to Do and See in Florida, Travel
Virtual space windows and an AI droid came with every cabin on the Halcyon.  Matt Stroshane/Disney
Virtual space windows and an AI droid came with every cabin on the Halcyon. 
Matt Stroshane/Disney

Walt Disney World announced last week plans to repurpose its former $400 million Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser resort hotel into office space for Disney’s “Imagineer” employees. After being open for only 18 months, the hotel was closed on September 2023. Since the closure, Star Wars Fans have speculated that the hotel would still be repurposed into some type of Star Wars related attraction, but last week’s announcement put an end to their hopes.

Florida’s Housing Market: Is the Sunshine State Cooling Off?

Florida’s Housing Market: Is the Sunshine State Cooling Off?

January 31, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Florida houses are sitting on the market longer Photo: Zillow
Florida houses are sitting on the market longer Photo: Zillow

In recent years, the housing markets in Florida and Texas have been the top two states in the country for inbound migration. As you might expect, this trend caused a steep increase in homeowner’s market values, much to the delight of sellers, but not so much for buyers. It appears that the trend is now over.

Gulf of Mexico Name Change – What Does it Mean For Floridians?

Gulf of Mexico Name Change – What Does it Mean For Floridians?

January 28, 2025Posted inFlorida News, National News, Politics
Gulf of America Graphic
Graphic: WJHG

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” This decision, part of the “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” initiative, aims to emphasize the gulf’s significance to the United States. With over 5000 miles of shoreline, the gulf represents Florida’s longest border.

Historic Snowfall Blankets Florida Panhandle, Shattering Records

Historic Snowfall Blankets Florida Panhandle, Shattering Records

January 23, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Photo- Sheriff's deputy blocks frozen highway in Florida snowstorm
A Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office on a snow-covered Interstate 10 on Jan. 21, 2025. Walton Co. Sheriff | X

A rare and powerful winter storm swept across the U.S. Gulf Coast this week, bringing a rare and unprecedented Florida snowfall and frigid temperatures to Gulf coast states unaccustomed to such severe winter weather. The storm, which began on January 20, 2025, led to significant disruptions, including road closures, power outages, and at least ten fatalities. Three days later, Florida still isn’t through with the effects of the storm with some roads still blocked.

$500 Billion Stargate AI Project Launched with Data Centers, Cancer Cures, and 100K Jobs on Horizon

$500 Billion Stargate AI Project Launched with Data Centers, Cancer Cures, and 100K Jobs on Horizon

January 21, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Trump and Altman photos

L-R Open AI CEO Sam Altman, President Donald Trump, Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison Photos: Wikipedia/Oracle

President Trump announced late today a $500 billion multi-national private investment in a new US company known as Stargate. According to Trump, Stargate will consist of several Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers to be built around the US and create more than 100,000 jobs nationally.

Brevard County Republicans Hold “Trump Wave” to Celebrate Inauguration

Brevard County Republicans Hold “Trump Wave” to Celebrate Inauguration

January 20, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Trump supporters' wave to passing traffic. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN
A Trump supporter waves to passing traffic. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN

Cocoa, FL – This afternoon, the intersection of Wickham Road and Pineda Causeway in Brevard County, Florida, was alive with the spirit of patriotism as local Republicans came together for a “Trump Wave.” Organized by the Brevard Republican Executive Committee, the event was a vibrant demonstration of support for the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Migration To Florida Slows As South Carolina Leads Growth

Migration To Florida Slows As South Carolina Leads Growth

January 19, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Moving To Florida
Moving to Florida slowed in 2024. Image: File
Moving to Florida slowed in 2024. Image: File

The 2024 U-Haul Growth Index report is out, and it reveals some interesting numbers. The company uses their cargo vehicle rental data to determine annually what states people are leaving, and where they are heading. While not all-encompassing, the report has been a fairly reliable indicator of overall migration trends in the continental United States.

DeSantis Proposes NASA HQ Move, Citing Florida’s Space Leadership

DeSantis Proposes NASA HQ Move, Citing Florida’s Space Leadership

January 10, 2025Posted inFlorida News, NASA
The Mary Jackson Building is NASA's headquarters, located in Washington DC - Photo: NASA
The Mary Jackson Building is NASA’s headquarters, located in Washington DC – Photo: NASA

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed relocating NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, citing underutilization of the current facility and the strategic advantages of positioning the agency’s leadership at the nation’s busiest spaceport.