ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded funds for workforce development through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program. Awards were made to St. Petersburg College to help establish the Semiconductor, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Training for Technicians (SMART Tech) 4.0 lab.
The Florida Department of Education has announced the 2024 school grades under a new grading scale. Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. commented on the results, stating, “This year’s school grades reflect Florida’s steadfast commitment to excellence in education. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, we have continued to raise the bar for providing students with a quality education that suits their individual needs, and these school grades are proof positive that our approach is working.”
Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $7.2 million to St. Petersburg College today through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program. The funds will help establish the Semiconductor, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Training for Technicians (SMART Tech) 4.0 lab.
Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, issued a statement today in response to the Florida State Board of Education’s passage of Adjusted School Grade Calculations.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced today that $2 million is now available to Florida landowners through the Florida’s Future Forests Program to improve forest health. Now in its fourth year, the program offers cost-share opportunities for landowners to enhance the capacity of Florida’s forests, which provide clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and numerous essential products.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is continuing the 2024 Summer Scams Series: Sunny Days and Shady Deals to inform Floridians about common summertime scams. In this installment, Attorney General Moody is warning Floridians about vacation rental scams. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center Report, real estate scams, including schemes involving short-term rentals, resulted in nearly $150 million in losses nationwide.
The Florida recreational spiny lobster sport season will commence on July 24 and 25, with the regular recreational season following from August 6 through March 31, 2025. Harvest regulations stipulate that lobsters must have a minimum carapace length of three inches, measured in water. In Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, harvesters may take up to six lobsters per day, while in other state waters, the limit is 12 lobsters per day.
Optimus Energy Solutions has been collaborating with qualified businesses across Florida to help them utilize tax credits for on-site electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment. While much of the focus on EV tax credits is directed at consumers purchasing electric vehicles, dealerships may also be eligible for these credits to offset their costs.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the Florida Forest Service’s record-setting year of applying prescribed fire during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The agency set a new annual record with 277,818 total acres treated for the year on State Forests. Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuel buildups and the chances of catastrophic wildfires.
More than 5.7 million Floridians, or 26.2 percent of the state's population, are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, according to a new report by the non-partisan Florida Policy Institute (FPI). The think tank found that 13 of the 20 counties with the highest shares of highly vulnerable residents are in North Florida. These counties include Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Highlands, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam and Sumter.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the Florida Sheriffs Association to reaffirm Florida’s support for law enforcement. In Florida, crime remains at a 50-year low due to the Governor’s commitment to law and order.
Last month, closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 23,183, down 11.1% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 8,339, down 20.5% over June 2023, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. For the second quarter of 2024, statewide existing single-family home sales totaled 74,117, down 2.2% from the same period in 2023. Statewide existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 28,982 for the quarter, marking a decline of 9.2% year-over-year.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis recognized the five Florida 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists. Governor DeSantis presented each finalist with a $20,000 check. The winner, who will be announced at the annual Teacher of the Year gala on Thursday, July 25, will receive additional awards, bringing his or her total award amount to $50,000.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, accompanied by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event highlighted the collaboration between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has facilitated hundreds of mentorship pairings since its inception in September 2023. There remains a significant need for more mentors across Florida to support youth aging out of the foster care system.
Attorney General Ashley Moody continues to advocate for mental health support for Florida law enforcement officers. Today in St. Petersburg, Attorney General Moody addressed the first graduates of Florida’s Law Enforcement Mental Health Certificate at St. Petersburg College. The pilot program is funded through a 2023 state budget allocation supported by Attorney General Moody. The 14 graduates are now certified to help officers struggling with mental health issues in the law enforcement agencies where they serve.
The Insurance Information Institute announced that premium growth has slowed for Florida homeowners following reforms in 2022, which were implemented in response to a surge in litigation. Citizens Property Insurance Corp became the last resort for residential insurance as other insurers either failed or abandoned Florida. The announcement was made in a June 26 blog post.
Makayla Buchanan has been selected for the U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program, joining a group of 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.