Florida
‘Adding a city:’ Millions more could flock to Florida. Here’s when to expect it
Florida has been a hotspot in the U.S. for many people over the past few years, with more than 1 million people moving to the state in 2022.
U.S. Census Bureau data shows that a large chunk of Florida’s incoming residents have moved from states like New York, California or foreign countries.
The state’s population has been on an incline for decades, though it saw an explosion of new residents beginning back in 2016.
In fact, inbound migration to Florida has been so high that the state’s population has passed 23 million people for the first time ever, according to the state’s Demographic Estimating Conference.
Earlier this month, the DEC announced that the record figure had been reached back in April, though rapid population growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
To be precise, Florida is set to see well over 300,000 people move in annually through 2026 — just under 900 people per day on average.
“These increases are analogous to adding a city slightly smaller than Orlando, but larger than St. Petersburg every year,” the DEC report reads.
By these estimates, Florida will reach 24 million residents by 2027; 25 million residents by 2031; and 26 million residents by 2036.
| Fiscal Year | Population (End of Fiscal Year) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 23,088,994 | 1.59% |
| 2024-2025 | 23,411,344 | 1.40% |
| 2025-2026 | 23,719,175 | 1.31% |
| 2026-2027 | 24,015,118 | 1.25% |
| 2027-2028 | 24,300,771 | 1.19% |
| 2028-2029 | 24,574,248 | 1.13% |
| 2029-2030 | 24,836,074 | 1.07% |
| 2030-2031 | 25,086,130 | 1.01% |
| 2031-2032 | 25,324,175 | 0.95% |
| 2032-2033 | 25,549,255 | 0.89% |
| 2033-2034 | 25,761,882 | 0.83% |
| 2034-2035 | 25,964,259 | 0.79% |
| 2035-2036 | 26,156,254 | 0.74% |
| 2036-2037 | 26,336,762 | 0.69% |
| 2037-2038 | 26,507,435 | 0.65% |
| 2038-2039 | 26,670,769 | 0.62% |
This huge influx of people into Florida is also set to bolster the state’s GDP and job growth, according to UCF economist Sean Snaith earlier this year.
“Florida is going to keep cruising at a higher altitude than the rest of the country,” Snaith predicted. “That’s because the ‘twin engines’ of a robust labor market and population growth are propelling us forward.”
Snaith explained that many of the people moving into Florida are retirees, which means more jobs are being created to meet their needs and wants.
However, this population growth could have other consequences.
With more people moving into the state, there are more people seeking goods and services like housing, food, gas and insurance — among many other products.
As a result, Florida’s cost of living is becoming inflated, outpacing wage growth in the state. This is despite having predicted average growth higher than the rest of the nation.
“Florida should enjoy the ride through these economically friendly skies with seatbelts fastened — just in case,” Snaith said.
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Florida
SNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday
TAMPA, Fla – New SNAP restrictions will start Monday in Florida.
What we know:
These changes will ban the purchase of many sugary sodas, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed, shelf-stable prepared desserts.
Hunger Free America, an advocacy group, is against these restrictions.
Joel Berg, the CEO, said some regulation is a good thing, but he wants to see it support access to healthy foods as a choice.
“We do support mandates to mandate that healthier food is available in stores that do accept SNAP,” Berg said. “So, it makes a lot more sense to make it easier to get healthier food.”
Berg said these restrictions are unnecessary in achieving a healthier America.
“We should make America healthier again by making healthy food more affordable, convenient and physically available,” Berg said. “We shouldn’t micromanage the eating patterns of adults to try to achieve that goal.”
The other side:
This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”
What they’re saying:
Berg said that these changes, on top of cuts to the program nationwide, will increase hunger.
“It’s not that low-income Americans don’t want healthier food; it’s that they can’t afford healthier food,” Berg said.
This coincides with the announcement that there will be cuts to WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which supplies food to mothers and young children.
“President Trump’s budget just announced that he’s proposing taking away fruits and vegetables from the WIC program for pregnant women and children under five,” Berg said. “So, they’re taking away healthier food.”
The WIC cuts would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from 5.4 million people.
Big picture view:
The SNAP changes come as part of the MAHA movement and include more than 20 other states that will implement changes over the next two years.
The Source: Information in this story comes from WIC, SNAP and interviews done by Fox 13’s Danielle Zulkosky.
Florida
GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.
“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.
What to expect
- 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
- 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
- 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
- Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.
For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.
Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.
Other Friday highlights included:
- 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
- 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
- 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
- 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
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With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.
Florida
Bodycam captures life-saving rescue of choking baby by Florida deputies
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A quiet Monday turned into a frantic race against time when a deputy stepped in to save a choking 1-year-old’s life.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call about a 1-year-old baby choking. Upon arrival, the responding deputy performed life-saving procedures to help the child breathe again.
See also: Two arrested after 6-year-old arrives at Florida school with bruises, deputies say
Body camera video shows a deputy holding the baby, flipping it over on its stomach, and beginning to pat the baby’s back.
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When the baby begins to cry, the deputy is heard saying, “he’s good.”
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