Unemployment claims in Florida declined last week
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Florida dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,540 in the week ending January 24, down from 6,546 the week before, the Labor Department said. U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 209,000 last week, down 1,000 claims from 210,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. More from the Panama City News Herald.
State lawmakers debate whether Miami-Dade needs development buffer around Everglades
Proposed legislation directs the state’s policy office to study whether “counties can still protect the environment and water quality” without the tool known as the Urban Development Boundary or “UDB.” Eliminating the tool would most prominently affect Miami-Dade but could affect other counties in Florida as well. The boundary is designed to create a buffer between large residential and commercial projects and two of Miami-Dade’s most sensitive areas: the rural belt of farmland that forms the heart of the county’s agriculture industry, and the Everglades. More from the Miami Herald.
Merritt Islanders fear natural gas site at the port
Merritt Island residents have expressed safety concerns over a proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility near their homes. The proposed plant would be built on port-owned land to supply cleaner-burning fuel for cruise ships and the space industry. Proponents state the facility is needed for Florida's energy infrastructure and would create 50-100 jobs. More from Florida Today.
Fort Lauderdale might buy downtown tower to save millions on new City Hall
After extensive deliberations about building a head-turning new City Hall — including a meticulous ranking of developers vying for the job — Fort Lauderdale might end up buying an existing glass tower downtown instead. Tower 101, the new home base for City Hall since the flood of April 2023, has been offered up by its owners for a sale price of $86 million. Commissioner Ben Sorensen, who says he’s looking to save money, argues Fort Lauderdale should consider the deal. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Johnson & Johnson Vision expects strong growth, is developing new products
As Johnson & Johnson seeks city incentives to help expand its Jacksonville-based vision products subsidiary, company officials are touting the growth potential of the unit. During a Jan. 21 conference call with analysts to discuss fourth-quarter results, officials of the New Jersey-based medical products giant said the company is developing new products in its contact lens and surgical vision business. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Out of the Box
Space Coast releases X-rayed skeeters to take bite out of dengue
The Space Coast has unleashed 'nuked' skeeters in a new biological bid to neuter dengue fever. Last year, Brevard saw its first locally caught cases of the tropical disease and wound up with the most in Florida. In response, the county decided to let loose thousands of X-rayed male mosquitoes to zap the insect's next generation.
» More from Florida Today.
Florida Trend Exclusive
2026 Economic Outlook | Central
The city of Orlando is kicking off its $750-million Downtown Orlando Action Plan, which is aimed at transforming its urban core. This will eventually mean converting major one-way thoroughfares like Orange and Rosalind avenues to two-way streets to slow down pass-through traffic, while also enhancing green spaces and adding wider sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities to improve walkability and hopefully attract more shops and restaurants.
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