Things To Do In SW Florida

A proposal for a 300-unit apartment complex on 12 acres of land in the ecologically-sensitive Wekiva Protection Area is confronting Seminole County with a difficult conflict between two worthy goals: protecting the environment and providing affordable housing.

Development plans reviewed this week by county staff show the complex sitting on wooded land off the corner of State Road 46 and Orange Boulevard in northwest Seminole County.

It’s proposed under the Live Local Act — a 2023 state law designed to encourage speedy construction of affordable multi-family housing by shortening the government approval process. In this case, the developer is not required to hold community meetings and request zoning changes before county boards as required by most other development applications. The proposal and the process have irked environmentalists, residents and a Seminole commissioner.

Opponents of the project say they understand the region faces a dire need for affordable housing and are not necessarily opposed to the law itself. read more

By Andreea Neculae

The concept of smart cities has evolved from a futuristic vision to a tangible reality, with urban centers worldwide integrating technology and sustainability to enhance the quality of life for their residents. These cities employ data analytics, innovative infrastructure and eco-friendly initiatives to create connected and efficient urban environments.

So which are 2025’s top smart cities? To identify the U.S. cities making the biggest strides in technology-driven urban development, CoworkingCafe analyzed more than 370 U.S. cities across 13 key metrics, including AI and IoT company presence, free Wi-Fi availability, zero-waste programs, transportation connectivity, and tech job opportunities.

These metrics were categorized into three weighted groups: Smart Infrastructure and Connectivity (45%), Sustainability and Green Initiatives (35%), and Tech Job Market (20%), ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of technology-driven urban development.

West Coast and Northeast Outpace the Nation in Smart City Development

When it comes to smart city innovations across the U.S., the West Coast and Northeastern regions lead the way in adopting cutting-edge technology for urban sustainability. California stands out as a national frontrunner, with four cities—San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego—ranking among the top 10. These cities leverage advanced data analytics, IoT infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions to enhance energy efficiency, optimize transportation, and reduce carbon footprints. read more

By Brian Baker, CFA, Bankrate.com

The investment world can be difficult to navigate, especially if you’re just starting out. There are lots of confusing terms and complicated acronyms that can turn off someone who’s looking to learn more about financial concepts.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of investing books that can help you learn what you need to know to become a savvy investor. Books can be read at your own pace and are typically written by experts who have spent years in the industry researching investments.

Here are some of the best investment books for beginners to consider adding to their reading lists.

1. “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need” by Andrew Tobias

If you are truly just starting out in your investing journey, this book is a great place to start. You’ll learn tips on how to save and invest for your future and get excellent advice on what to avoid in the financial world. Tobias has a great sense of humor, so the book is fun to read even if finance and investing aren’t your favorite subjects.

“The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need” was first published in the 1970s, but was recently updated and has stood the test of time. It’s a great first step on your journey to being a knowledgeable investor. read more

Florida legislators will be called on again this year to navigate a solution to the state’s housing affordability crisis that balances the intent of the groundbreaking Live Local Act with the needs of cities and counties, after modifications last year were blasted for undermining the housing incentives in the law.

Florida approved the Live Local Act in 2023 as a response to record-high rent escalation immediately after the COVID pandemic, and multifamily developers jumped on board, taking advantage of zoning flexibility and tax breaks codified by the act.

But last year, the Legislature modified the law to allow cities and counties to deny property tax exemptions for “missing middle” housing — rental units restricted to tenants who earn less than 120% of the Area Median Income. And last year, every municipality in Central Florida that could opt out of the program did, so only a handful of apartment complexes qualified for the exemption.

Cities and counties could deal a huge blow to Live Local affordable housing projects read more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — There’s a sense of urgency among NASA and its partners aiming for the first human spaceflight of the Artemis program.

Artemis II is slated to launch four astronauts on an 10-day trip to the moon by April 2026. But with President Trump and his adviser and SpaceX founder Elon Musk beating the drum for Mars, the Artemis schedule suddenly seems slow, and the program’s expense great.

And the future of the country’s first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years may hang in the balance.

“Every day we are pushing, and not only days, we’re pushing hours and minutes,” said Lockheed Martin’s Kent Shireman, head of its Orion spacecraft program, at an Artemis media event Friday. “If we can get ahead a minute, it’s precious. Absolutely. 24/7 we’re on every day.”

It all adds up to the potential for big changes for the decades-old, multi-billion-dollar Artemis program as it seeks the blessing of a new presidential administration. While pressing for an earlier launch date could help in the short-term, bigger changes may come down the road: ditching the costly Space Launch System rocket, which is not reusable, and pitching the Orion capsule as a candidate for Mars travel in addition to its moon duties. read more