Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/22/2016

Florida's jobless rate remains steady, no change in June

State officials on Friday announced that the state's jobless rate was 4.7 percent in June. That's the same rate as it was in May, although it's lower than the national jobless rate of 4.9 percent. More from the AP.

Zika investigations eating up funds, Florida officials say

Florida mosquito control officials worry they won't be able to keep up their efforts to contain the bugs that carry Zika without federal funding, even as concern mounts that the first infection from a mosquito bite on the U.S. mainland is near. More from the AP.

Showing Florida girls the way to careers in STEM

Miami-Dade Schools was one of three school districts nationally selected by the prestigious Columbia University to host its inaugural season of the Columbia Girls in STEM Initiative. Miami joins New York and San Francisco as hosts of the Summer 2016 session. More from the Miami Herald.

None of Florida’s newspapers are unionized. That could change soon

Journalists at The Ledger, a local newspaper in Lakeland, Florida, that dates to 1924, announced this week that they have taken steps to unionize. If the drive is successful, The Ledger would be the only paper in the state with a unionized newsroom. More from the Columbia Journalism Review and WUSF.

UCF to offer 'Lean' workshop for entrepreneurs

Want to learn how to start a business? Consider this next program one of many that could help you do that. A boot camp for budding entrepreneurs will come to University of Central Florida next month. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Best Companies to Work for in Florida
High-deductible insurance

Since being introduced in 2001, “consumer-driven health plans” — those with high deductibles — have grown to 15% of the market. Among the Best Companies To Work For In Florida, however, only five include them in their benefit offerings. Consumer-driven health plans have deductibles of at least $1,300 for an individual, along with a pretax HSA or HRA account that employees can use to cover co-pays.

» Full story from Florida Trend, here.

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Family-owned special-needs school gets makeover from Miami company

Interval International employees surprised students at Great Heights Academy in Kendall with a special makeover, including a new kitchen and dining area, repainted classrooms and an outdoor mural. Great Heights Academy provides services to children with disabilities.