Tuesday’s Afternoon Update
Hunt is over, but how far have Burmese pythons spread in Florida?
Invasive Burmese pythons are established from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County west to Collier County, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park. Florida holds an annual Python Challenge to help control the population — more than 700 hunters registered for this year’s event. More from TC Palm.
Found 7 miles south of Florida Keys, massive 450-pound turtle carried ashore to rehab
A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew partnered with The Turtle Hospital in Marathon to rescue a distressed sea turtle Sunday about 7 miles south of Sugarloaf Key. The turtle weighed approximately 450 pounds. The crew safely transported the animal to shore, where Turtle Hospital personnel took over care for evaluation and rehabilitation. Officials did not release information about the turtle’s condition or what caused its distress. More from CBS 12.
Space Florida, UK Government Establish First Partnership Under New Florida International Fund
Space Florida and the UK Space Agency committed $400,000 during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow — the first partnership executed under the Florida International Aerospace Innovation Fund. The fund supports joint projects in research, innovation and commercialization. A formal call for project applications will open in Fall 2026, with selections anticipated in 2027. More from Space Florida.
Miami’s cost of living now tops New York City’s despite Florida’s tax advantages
A Bloomberg analysis found the combined cost of living in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach is roughly 5% higher than the New York metro area and its surrounding suburbs. Consumer prices in South Florida have risen 36% since 2019 — the second-highest inflation surge among major American markets. South Florida home prices have jumped 79% since the pandemic, and the average annual homeowners insurance premium stands at $8,292, the highest in the country. More from Fox Business.
Florida’s housing market logged its 10th straight month of sales growth
Florida’s closed home sales rose for a 10th straight month in June 2026. Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 26,036, up 9.3% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales reached 8,900, a 14% jump over June 2025. The statewide median for existing single-family homes was $432,000, up 4.9%. Condo-townhouse inventory stands at an 8.1-months’ supply, providing meaningful negotiating leverage for buyers. More from Mortgage Professional America.
Sports
Inside Tampa’s push to bring SEC Football Media Days to Florida
SEC Football Media Days began Monday in downtown Tampa — the first time the Southeastern Conference has held its annual football event in Florida. The four-day gathering drew roughly 1,200 to 1,400 attendees, including 900 to 1,000 reporters, 16 head coaches and student-athletes. Tampa landed the event after years of working with the SEC and a prior relationship hosting conference basketball tournaments.
» More from Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
Real Estate
A New 350,000-Square-Foot Development Is Taking Shape in Near West Palm Beach’s Brightline Station
Construction is underway on a 350,000-square-foot mixed-use development at 506 Datura Street, directly across from West Palm Beach’s Brightline station. Developers LD&D and IGEQ, with capital partner FrontRange Capital Partners, recently broke ground on the project, which will include Alida Residences — a 21-story, 181-unit luxury apartment tower — and a 112-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. Both are expected to be complete by 2028. Alida Residences is the first high-rise multifamily development to break ground in downtown West Palm Beach since The Laurel.
» More from What Now.
