Tourism & Research: The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association picked Florida International University to run a Caribbean-wide Tourism Demand Study, aiming to map demand for goods and services, quantify economic “leakages,” and find investment opportunities that keep more tourism dollars circulating locally. AI for SMBs: Miami businesses are pushing beyond hype as more owners adopt AI, but many say they need practical training; local tech advisory is positioning itself as the bridge from AI tools to real workflows. Fraud & Real Estate: A Boca Raton man was sentenced to four years after a $13M real estate fraud scheme that prosecutors say used investor money for personal expenses and gambling. Local Budget Pressure: Miami-Dade’s proposed $14.3B budget includes “do more with less” moves and transit service cuts, with residents warning about impacts on small businesses and daily commutes. Labor Crunch: Miami-Dade plant nursery owners say deportation policy and the end of TPS are driving a labor shortage that could force some to close. Payments Growth: Tampa fintech Payzli landed on the Inc. 5000 list (No. 1183) after 297% revenue growth, highlighting partner-first underwriting. Property Tax Ballot Fix: Gov. DeSantis says Florida won’t appeal a judge’s order to rewrite the homestead exemption ballot language ahead of the November vote. Business Expansion: Sarasota is set to welcome Balos Restaurant’s first Florida location, with a spring 2027 opening planned.