Startup Funding: Melbourne’s Kalogon raised $5.75M to expand smart seating for wheelchair users, backed by AARP and Praxis SCI, with plans to grow distribution partners and go international. Insurance Relief: Florida’s auto and home insurance market is cooling as more than 40 insurers filed rate cuts since 2025; AAA says its Florida reductions deliver up to 5% savings for eligible policyholders. Local Budgets & Taxes: Hillsborough County is warning that a proposed property tax reform amendment could cut about $367M a year, forcing layoffs, program cuts, or tax increases. County Finance & Cleanup: Manatee County revisited Piney Point cleanup funding, approving $6.4M from a court receiver to avoid immediate local tax dollars while planning long-term strategy. Public Safety & Research: A lightning strike destroyed the USF College of Marine Science Lab in St. Petersburg, wiping out decades of research and tens of millions in equipment. Data Center Pressure: Pasco County advanced a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction amid concerns over water use, noise, and flooding risks. Banking Innovation: U.S. Bank won American Banker’s 2026 Innovation of the Year for “Everyday Solutions,” its embedded-banking platform with Edward Jones. Corporate Expansion: Coke Florida opened an $84M Orlando distribution center to boost capacity across 15 counties. Retail Restructuring: West Marine’s Chapter 11 plan includes closing 8 Florida stores as part of a broader 59-location shutdown.