2020: Florida’s year in review—Stories that made this year memorable

Happy New Year 2021 text on the beach. Abstract background photo of coming New Year 2021 and leaving the year of 2020 Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maps Expert As the world begins to turn the page on 2020 and look forward to a new year in 2021, we at Florida Insider decided to compile

Coconut Grove welcomes First High-End Cuban Dining Fare: OCA

“OCA” The Grove’s soon-to-be first and only full-blown Cuban restaurant with full bar in the area. Courtesy: Florida Insider- Photo taken by William Prego It has been a difficult year for restaurant owners nationwide, especially in places like South Florida, where rent is well above the national average. But diamonds are created in the rough,

Duck’s Nest, Palm Beach’s second-oldest home earns Robert I. Ballinger Award

Duck’s Nest Palm Beach. Courtesy: Brantley Photography – Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach As with many things this year, the annual Robert I. Ballinger Award ceremony hosted by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The nonprofit foundation was slated to host its 32nd annual awards presentation luncheon at

Florida’s Oyster Central Apalachicola Bay Shut Down through 2025 due to overharvesting

Fresh Oysters Courtesy: Image by Patricia Alexandre from Pixabay The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has placed a temporary ban on the harvesting of oysters out of Florida’s top producing bay through the end of 2025. Apalachicola Bay has historically produced the majority load of oysters consumed in Florida amounting to 90% of the

FDACS Looking at Reducing Concealed Weapons License Wait Time After Record Application Month

Hand gun laying on a Gun / Firearms License Certificate. Courtesy: Shutterstock-Photo by steved_np3 In 2020, Florida has witnessed a dramatic increase in concealed weapons license (CWL) applications, specifically the months preceding the elections. “October 2020 saw the highest number of CWL applications in Florida history, with 38,349 new CWL applications received in addition to

Another invasive lizard species has landed in Florida: The red-headed butterfly eating, agama lizard

Peter’s Rock Agama spotted in Florida. Courtesy: Sean McKnight, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology student. Florida is no stranger to invasive species of any kind: bugs, insects, reptiles, plants, you name it, we’ve got it.  Earlier this year, Florida had a new character on the block, the Argentine Black and White Tegu, but this time, it’s the

South Beach Wine & Food Festival dates rescheduled due to rising Florida COVID-19 cases

MIAMI BEACH, USA – FEBRUARY 26, 2017: Aerial image of the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival along Ocean Drive. Courtesy: Shutterstock-photo By Felix Mizioznikov Foodies… you’re gonna have to wait just a bit longer for the 2021 SOBEWFF.  The annual 4-day food festival held along the sands of South Beach and the surrounding Miami

Delray Beach is preparing to open the State’s Largest Food Hall

Delray Beach Market rendering. Courtesy: Menin Development Opening this upcoming spring, the Delray Beach Market will soon become the largest food hall in the Sunshine State. Foodies will soon be able to assemble under the $60 million, four-story, 150,00 square-foot mega food hall right off of Atlantic Avenue. Management estimates they can accommodate roughly 2,000

FDOT announces $67 million contribution to expanding Tampa Streetcar service

Rendering of future TECO Streetcar Line. Courtesy: InVision Tampa.gov Tampa Bay’s TECO Line Streetcar just received a massive boost from the Florida Department of Transportation in the form of a $67 million state match donation to expand the Hillsborough County transit service. The FDOT contribution brings the streetcar line one step closer to expanding north

Dolphins improve to 8-4, major sideline Brawl fuels impressive Defensive Ending

Courtesy: Image by jorono from Pixabay “We’ve got to do a better job of keeping our poise. That starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job of keeping my poise,” said Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, via the team’s official post-game transcript. “But, look, I’m going to stick up for my players. They’re