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Friday's Afternoon Update

Unemployment rises as Florida loses jobs in July

Summer doldrums hit the state in July, as Florida lost 3,300 jobs and the unemployment rate bumped up to 8.8 percent. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percent from June’s 8.6 percent, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported this morning, as the state reversed course on its track to recovery. Read more from the Palm Beach Post, the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.


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Four Florida cities rank among cities getting smarter the fastest

It’s a commonplace among pundits and economic developers that smart people flock to “smart” places like sparrows to Capistrano. Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg were named to a new list of U.S. Cities Getting Smarter the Fastest. [Source: New Geography]


Broward convention center first in the state to earn LEED certification

Broward County's convention center on Thursday became the first in Florida to earn LEED certification, an eco-friendly seal designed to lure more groups and slash operating costs, travel leaders announced. The green initiative took nearly four years to complete and cost roughly $3 million, with most of the outlays from the private company that runs the convention center, officials said. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


» FRIDAY PREVIEW: Coming next week to FloridaTrend.com:

  • Live Chat!: USF Political Science Professor Dr. Susan MacManus will take questions on Florida's Significance in the 2012 Presidential Election. Submit questions early on our Facebook page.
  • Aviation vs. Avian: A proposed airport for light planes and corporate jets has sparked a debate over whether planes and birds can safely share airspace in one of the state’s avian hot spots.
  • Business Profile: Jacksonville-based BCR Environmental is becoming known for its progressive technologies that convert wastewater to fertilizer.

» You'll find all these stories first on the Daily and Afternoon Pulse e-mails.


Things To Do

Think that you have to go to Europe to find centuries-old fortresses and other historic sites? Think again. Right here in Florida there is plenty to intrigue history buffs.