Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $1 million investment from the Florida Disaster Fund to aid in rebuilding fishing and aquaculture infrastructure damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funding will support repairs to boat slips, docks, fish houses, and aquaculture businesses in Florida's Big Bend region.
To mark the beginning of Red Ribbon Week 2024, Attorney General Ashley Moody has called on parents to discuss the dangers of substance abuse with their children. Red Ribbon Week is recognized as the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the United States, with over 80 million Americans participating annually by wearing a red ribbon. Despite these efforts, more than 100,000 individuals die each year from drug overdoses, largely due to illicit fentanyl trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border. Studies indicate that children under 14 represent the fastest-growing age group...
Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., has announced the selected books for October as part of the Commissioner’s Book of the Month initiative. This monthly reading challenge aims to encourage literacy and engagement among students in preK-12 schools by recommending one book per grade range.
Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced the launch of Florida's Hope Card Program as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This initiative offers survivors of domestic violence digital or physical wallet-sized cards that serve as proof of a valid protective order. The program aims to provide cardholders with immediate verification of protection orders and access to additional support resources.
Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced the launch of a public survey aimed at gathering input on the establishment of a museum dedicated to the history of communism. The survey will be available until November 1, 2024.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced that several rivers in the state are experiencing significant flooding due to Hurricane Milton. The affected rivers include the Suwannee/Santa Fe, St. Johns, and Withlacoochee rivers. As a result of rising floodwaters, safety measures have been implemented to protect the public.
Florida's seaports have demonstrated resilience in the face of recent challenges, including two hurricanes and a port worker strike. In the past month, these events tested the ports' capabilities, but effective leadership across 16 public ports enabled swift recovery and continuation of their critical role in Florida's supply chain.
Attorney General Ashley Moody is collaborating with the Florida Tax Collectors Association to disseminate crucial information on voter fraud and crime prevention. This initiative will provide Floridians with direct access to resources from Attorney General Moody's office, focusing on fraud detection and crime prevention. Many tax collectors are now displaying materials such as the "Scams at a Glance" brochures, Florida’s voter fraud hotline, the state’s new human trafficking hotline, and an anonymous crime-reporting tip line known as **TIPS.
Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed September 28 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Florida. This proclamation acknowledges the contributions of hunters and anglers to conservation efforts through license purchases and excise taxes on equipment.
The Port of Palm Beach has initiated its Port Infrastructure Development Program, a project backed by a $13.2 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration. The program aims to improve the port's infrastructure and increase operational efficiency.
For 25 years, Royal Caribbean Group has used Port Everglades as a homeport for its cruise ships. The partnership is set to continue following the Broward County Board of Commissioners' approval of an extension to the company's Passenger Terminal and Berth User Agreement. This extension will last until September 30, 2030, with an option for an additional five-year term.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a total of $8.8 million in funding for projects at JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay aimed at enhancing the storage and transportation of aggregate materials. The funding includes $2.6 million for a project at JAXPORT to improve storage capacity and rail access, while Port Tampa Bay will receive $6.2 million to build the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, which is expected to handle an additional 500,000 tons of limerock each year.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $9.5 million funding award to SeaPort Manatee to aid in its recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricane Milton. SeaPort Manatee, a key deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida, plays an essential role in distributing goods such as fuel, fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.
Florida legislators have allocated $23 million to JAXPORT for the purchase and refurbishment of container cranes. This funding will enable the acquisition of a new crane from Liebherr Crane Company in Germany and refurbish existing equipment at JAXPORT's terminals.
FloridaCommerce has reported an increase in private sector employment in the Orlando area by 16,000 jobs, or 1.2%, over the year in September 2024. The construction sector added 5,400 jobs and education and health services gained 5,200 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported significant job growth in the Naples metro area for September 2024, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector. The region experienced an 8.1% increase, adding 2,200 jobs over the year. In contrast, Fort Myers saw a private sector employment growth of 1.2%, translating to an addition of 3,000 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported a growth in the Pensacola metro area's private sector employment, with an increase of 3,000 jobs over the past year as of September 2024. The education and health services industry experienced the largest growth, adding 900 jobs.
FloridaCommerce has reported that the Fort Lauderdale metro area gained the third-highest number of private sector jobs among all metro areas over the year in September 2024. The region also led in job gains in trade, transportation, and utilities with 4,700 jobs; government with 4,600 jobs; and other services with 3,700 jobs. The area's private sector employment reached 820,500, marking an increase of 16,500 jobs or a growth rate of 2.1% from the previous year.