Gulf Coast Dispatch

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) collaborated with Dream Flights in Tallahassee to offer local veterans complimentary flights in restored World War II-era biplanes.

Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has announced the members of its 2025 Florida Leaders class.

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) collaborated with Dream Flights to honor seven veterans in Miami by providing them with complimentary flights in restored World War II-era biplanes.

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has honored Deputy Secretary Kim Smoak of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) with the 2024 Champion for the Elderly Award.

FEMA has activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for residents in 52 Florida counties and members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians affected by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton.

Realtor Aminta Goynes has established a notable career in real estate, marked by her dedication to service and community.

In September 2024, Florida's housing market saw a decline in closed sales of existing single-family homes and condo-townhouse units compared to the previous year. According to data from the Florida Realtors Research Department, in collaboration with local Realtor boards and associations, closed sales for single-family homes totaled 18,721, marking a 12.3% decrease from September 2023. Condo-townhouse sales also fell by 20.7%, totaling 6,655.

Florida's seaports have demonstrated resilience in the face of recent challenges, including two hurricanes and a port worker strike. In the past month, these events tested the ports' capabilities, but effective leadership across 16 public ports enabled swift recovery and continuation of their critical role in Florida's supply chain.

The Port of Palm Beach has initiated its Port Infrastructure Development Program, a project backed by a $13.2 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration. The program aims to improve the port's infrastructure and increase operational efficiency.

For 25 years, Royal Caribbean Group has used Port Everglades as a homeport for its cruise ships. The partnership is set to continue following the Broward County Board of Commissioners' approval of an extension to the company's Passenger Terminal and Berth User Agreement. This extension will last until September 30, 2030, with an option for an additional five-year term.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a total of $8.8 million in funding for projects at JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay aimed at enhancing the storage and transportation of aggregate materials. The funding includes $2.6 million for a project at JAXPORT to improve storage capacity and rail access, while Port Tampa Bay will receive $6.2 million to build the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, which is expected to handle an additional 500,000 tons of limerock each year.

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $9.5 million funding award to SeaPort Manatee to aid in its recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricane Milton. SeaPort Manatee, a key deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida, plays an essential role in distributing goods such as fuel, fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.

Florida legislators have allocated $23 million to JAXPORT for the purchase and refurbishment of container cranes. This funding will enable the acquisition of a new crane from Liebherr Crane Company in Germany and refurbish existing equipment at JAXPORT's terminals.

The IRS has launched new features in the Energy Credits Online (ECO) portal. These include enhanced capabilities for processing returns and cancellations, as well as a secure two-way messaging tool for communication with the IRS.

Florida Realtors® has announced the administration of two relief programs to assist those affected by recent hurricanes. The Disaster Relief Fund aims to address housing challenges within the Realtor community following natural disasters. Additionally, grants from the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) provide financial aid to any Floridian impacted by storms with housing-related needs.

Florida ranks 18th in workplace flexibility across the nation, with 82% of companies offering employees the option to work with flexible arrangements. While the state as a whole maintains a solid position, the level of flexibility varies significantly between cities, highlighting regional differences within Florida’s workforce landscape.

The inspiration for Erin’s Hope came after a significant loss experienced by Stacy Horst and her husband in 2014. Following the death of their daughter, Erin, they felt a strong urge to make a difference. "Four days after Erin’s death, my husband and I found ourselves on her bedroom floor, grappling with our grief. It was in that moment we felt compelled to make a change," Horst shared.

Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and FloridaCommerce have collaborated with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) to waive no-pet policies at lodging establishments in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. This initiative is directed by Governor DeSantis to ensure that Floridians in evacuation zones can bring their pets along as they seek shelter.

Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order to expand the state of emergency in Florida, as Tropical Storm Milton approaches. The decision, outlined in Executive Order 24-215, increases the number of counties under a state of emergency from 35 to 51.

As Hurricane Milton approaches, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is prioritizing the safety and well-being of residents and staff at its member nursing centers and assisted living facilities. Emmett Reed, CEO of FHCA, stated that these facilities are coordinating with local authorities to prepare for the storm. They are ready to either evacuate or shelter in place as necessary.