Florida university leaders grapple with the upside and downside of AI
Florida’s public university leaders are consulting in-house and private-sector artificial intelligence experts to help formulate the state system’s approach to the technology. In a discussion at the Florida Board of Governor’s meeting Wednesday at University of West Florida in Pensacola, the board queried a Google expert and officials from Florida International University, University of South Florida, and University of Florida. The state is compiling a report about recommended AI use across the system in the “near-term,” governor Ed Haddock said. Mor from the Florida Phoenix and the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of March 27th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida measles cases increase, but at slower pace
Measles cases in Florida continue to rise but the rate of the spread has slowed significantly in the last month. According data from the Department of Health, as of March 21 there were 143 reported measles cases in 2026, with the majority still in Collier County. The week before, there were 139. Out of the reported cases 104, or 73 percent, were in Collier County, stemming from a measles outbreak at Ave Maria University that began in late January. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Artemis II astronauts set to arrive to KSC today ahead of next week’s launch
Before the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission travel farther from Earth than any human ever has, they first have to get to the launch site. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Glover are set to arrive from Houston today at Kennedy Space Center as they target a launch as early as Wednesday evening. The quartet have been in quarantine since March 18 and will be arriving to the former Space Shuttle Landing Facility around 2:30 p.m. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
When will gas prices go down? Impacts spreading across Florida
Florida gas prices may be creeping down slightly this week residents shouldn't expect relief anytime soon. In fact, residents may start seeing rising gas prices affect other areas of life, including air fares and even postal rates. The price for a gallon of regular has been slowing falling in Florida since Monday's, March 23, price of $3.934 to Thursday's price of $3.879. [Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Growth in the Clouds: A look inside Osceola County’s fastest growing city
Once considered a quieter neighbor to Kissimmee, St. Cloud is rapidly becoming a focal point of Central Florida’s growth as thousands of new homes, master-planned communities and expanding commercial projects reshape the Osceola County city. Osceola County has become one of the fastest-growing local regions, with its population increasing 70% over the past two decades to more than 460,000 residents, according to the county. By 2050, that figure is expected to exceed 700,000.
› Inside One Tower Court, Shad Khan's new office building
Jaguars owner Shad Khan's new office building, One Tower Court, is part of a nearly $2 billion transformation in that part of downtown Jacksonville. The six-story building will house Jaguars employees, the Foley & Lardner law firm, Timucuan Asset Management, and a YMCA. The project is a public-private partnership, with the city contributing a $25.8 million grant and tax rebates for a minimum $301 million private investment.
› Why did a $15B lender move its headquarters to Tampa?
When John Beacham moved Toorak Capital Partners from suburban New Jersey to Tampa, he was trying to solve a talent problem. The firm he founded in 2016 had grown into a significant lender in a corner of the housing market that finances investors buying, renovating and renting or reselling homes. The work required underwriters, appraisal reviewers, closers and operations staff. In New Jersey, Beacham said, that became harder to build.
› A post-election Boca Raton looks ahead to ‘a shared vision’ for the city
Boca Raton is welcoming a new era of city leadership — after voters recently rejected a redevelopment measure and selected many new faces to join the City Council. City Manager Mark Sohaney sees it as an “opportunity for a reset.” “It’s an opportunity for new faces and new leadership and new ideas to come forward,” Sohaney told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Post-election, the city still has a need for new government facilities and a new police headquarters — and city officials have a plan to address it, he said.
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› Justice Department sues SeaWorld parent company over wheeled walker ban
A civil lawsuit has been filed by the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida against SeaWorld’s parent company, United Parks & Recreation INC. (UPR), over their wheeled walker ban. The lawsuit alleges the policy, banning guests with disabilities from using wheeled walkers with seats, including rollators, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
› Pinellas County approves tourism arts program with revised funding structure
Pinellas County Commission approved a $500,000 funding agreement for a Creative Tourism Arts Program, with an amendment to the initial proposal that centers on how the funding will be dispersed. The program allocates a $500,000 commitment from the county’s budget to create a competitive awards program, leveraging artists and arts agencies for a month-long celebration aimed at increasing tourism and positioning Pinellas as an arts destination.
› Jacksonville’s Naked Kitchen receives $25,000 national grant
Jacksonville’s Naked Kitchen is one of 40 bars and restaurants to receive a national grant to promote sustainability and environmental innovation, according to a March 25 news release. The $25,000 grant for the restaurant in the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District came from Washington, D.C.-based Independent Restaurant Coalition in partnership with Chase.
› Real estate investor snags 5 historic downtown Miami buildings in preservation deal
An out-of-state company that invests in historic real estate across the country has entered the Miami market with the acquisition of five downtown properties. Cleveland-based GBX Group, through affiliates, acquired the Bell Building at 108 S. Miami Ave., adjacent buildings at 100, 116 and 122 S. Miami Ave., and the building at 235 S.E. First St. The acquisitions were in partnership with the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit.