Florida's unemployment rate has remained below the national average for 47 consecutive months, according to FloridaCommerce. The state's unemployment rate stands at 3.3%, with an addition of 175,600 private sector jobs over the past year.
FloridaCommerce has reported that the Jacksonville metro area leads in job growth within the education and health services sectors among all metropolitan areas. This sector saw a 4.7% increase, adding 5,900 jobs over the year. The region's private sector employment rose by 1.9%, equivalent to 13,300 new positions as of September 2024.
FloridaCommerce has reported a significant increase in private sector employment in the West Palm Beach metro area. The region saw an addition of 11,100 jobs, marking a 1.8% growth over the past year as of September 2024. The education and health services sector led this growth by adding 4,000 jobs.
The IRS has launched new features in the Energy Credits Online (ECO) portal. These include enhanced capabilities for processing returns and cancellations, as well as a secure two-way messaging tool for communication with the IRS.
Florida Realtors® has announced the administration of two relief programs to assist those affected by recent hurricanes. The Disaster Relief Fund aims to address housing challenges within the Realtor community following natural disasters. Additionally, grants from the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) provide financial aid to any Floridian impacted by storms with housing-related needs.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody has initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The lawsuit addresses DHS's refusal to verify immigration records for Florida, which aims to ensure the integrity of its voter rolls.
Florida TaxWatch has released its 2024 Voter Guide for the six constitutional amendments appearing on Florida's November general election ballot. The guide provides an independent analysis and voting recommendations for these proposed amendments.
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis visited Tampa Bay to announce the allocation of $1 million through the Florida Disaster Fund. These funds will aid Hope Florida partners in assisting Floridians recovering from recent storms. The financial support is designated for nonprofit organizations providing essential services such as meals, immediate disaster relief for mothers and children, and assistance for foster children, families, individuals with unique abilities, and seniors.
Attorney General Ashley Moody has acknowledged the efforts of Tampa Police Department's frontline officers during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. At a roll call event on Wednesday, Moody presented the officers with a Thin Line Tribute, recognizing their dedication to maintaining safety in Tampa amid challenging conditions.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Catch a Florida Memory program concluded another successful year with its Triple Threat Throwdown event. The competition awarded a Fishing Kayak Bundle to Brian Ferreira, who was selected as the winner. Ferreira received a Bonafide P127 kayak equipped with a fishing package from Mustad Fishing and a Safety Bundle from Russ Vorhis-State Farm Insurance.
Historically, the unemployment rate among deaf individuals in the U.S. remains nearly double that of the general population, with only 55% of deaf Americans employed. Despite persistent challenges like communication barriers and underemployment, initiatives from companies like Uber have helped create more inclusive work opportunities for Florida’s deaf and hard of hearing community through accessible technologies.
Uber Technologies, Inc. has announced the first major redesign of its driver app since 2018, aimed at improving the user experience for its millions of drivers and couriers.
The stone crab harvest season commenced on October 15 and will continue until May 1, closing the following day. The minimum size limit for stone crab claws is set at 2 7/8 inches.
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about potential charity scams in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hurricanes have caused significant damage, with Helene affecting the Big Bend region and causing flooding across six states, while Milton recently hit Southwest Florida, resulting in power outages and widespread flooding.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued guidance to Floridians on how to avoid potential scams related to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Scammers may pose as FEMA representatives, seeking sensitive information or money in exchange for services. They might also use personal information to fraudulently apply for a FEMA grant.
Due to the recent impacts of hurricanes Milton and Helene, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced an extension for the application deadline of the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program. The new deadline is set for October 31, providing additional time for those affected by the storms to submit their applications.
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System has announced that the C. W. "Bill" Young VAMC Campus Emergency Department is closed until further notice. Outpatient appointments will be available in most areas, while all surgical, interventional radiology, interventional pain, and endoscopy procedures scheduled for Thursday, October 17, have been canceled. Veterans affected by these cancellations will be rescheduled for the earliest possible appointment.
FloridaCommerce has announced the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for individuals affected by Hurricane Milton. This assistance is aimed at those whose employment or self-employment was disrupted due to the hurricane and who do not qualify for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Impacted Floridians are encouraged to file a claim through FloridaJobs.org.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have issued a joint statement addressing...
The State Board of Education in Florida has commended the achievements of the state's apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs. A recent report highlights Florida's advancements towards becoming the leading state for workforce education by 2030. The Board also approved a new rule that allows educators with restricted classical education certification to teach over 1,400 courses listed in the Florida Department of Education’s Course Code Directory.