Gulf Coast Dispatch

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced two judicial appointments.

Nearly 130,000 printed resources have been distributed to law enforcement across the state as a way to help Floridians find assistance.

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.

FloridaCommerce announced today that the Fort Lauderdale metro area leads in job gains over the year in trade, transportation, and utilities (+5,100 jobs); government (+4,200 jobs); and other services (+4,100 jobs). The area’s total nonagricultural employment in June 2024 was 925,500, an increase of 21,100 jobs (+2.3%) over the year. The Fort Lauderdale area’s private sector employment in June 2024 rose by 2.1% (+16,900 jobs) over the year.

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of William “Scott” Ramsey to the School Board of Osceola County.

FloridaCommerce announced today that the Miami metro area gained the most private sector jobs over the year among all metro areas, adding 35,100 jobs (+3.0%) in June 2024. The area's labor force increased by 2.2% (+30,037) over the same period. Notably, Miami led all metro areas in job gains in three industry sectors: leisure and hospitality (8,400 jobs), professional and business services (8,100 jobs), and construction (5,800 jobs).

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brett Hinely to the School Board of Okaloosa County, effective August 2, 2024.

ORLANDO, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced today that the Orlando area private sector employment increased by 15,300 jobs (+1.1%) over the year in June 2024. The industry sectors gaining the most jobs were trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,500 jobs), and education and health services (+4,300 jobs).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Howard Baum to the Board of Chiropractic Medicine.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Free State of Florida has emerged as the leading state for first-time homebuyers, according to a new study from WalletHub reported by Fox Business. The study ranked five Florida cities in the top five and six in the top ten. Palm Bay secured the number one spot, followed by Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Tampa, and Orlando in second through fifth places respectively. Lakeland also featured prominently in the top ten, ranking seventh.

FloridaCommerce has announced that the West Palm Beach metro area experienced the fastest over-the-year job growth rate in education and health services among all metro areas in the state, adding 6,000 jobs (+5.4%) in June 2024. The labor force in the West Palm Metro area increased by 1,521 in June 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 0.2%.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced that the Jacksonville Metro Area’s total nonagricultural employment increased by 12,100 jobs (+1.5%) over the year in June 2024. The area's total private sector jobs rose by 9,400 jobs (+1.3%) over the same period.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Paul “P.J.” Marinelli, Karl Rasmussen, and Morgan Wilbanks and the reappointment of Michael Stephens, Scott Stryker, and Stephanie Wardein to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.