Monday’s Afternoon Update

Unemployment claims down in Florida

First-time jobless claims declined for a third consecutive week in Florida. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 4,936 initial unemployment applications were filed last week in Florida, down from a revised count of 5,398 the week ending March 21. The state drew 5,450 claims the week ending March 14 after jumping from 5,084 the week ending Feb. 28 to 5,641 the week ending March 7. Since the start of the year, Florida has averaged 5,740 claims a week, with the unemployment rate standing at 4.3 percent. More from News Service of Florida.

Florida gas prices top $4 a gallon for first time in four years

Florida gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years with state averages peaking at $4.23 per gallon. Prices surged $0.28 last week before declining $0.03 through the weekend, according to AAA – The Auto Club Group. Sunday’s state average of $4.21 per gallon is $0.25 more than a week ago, $0.97 more than last month and $1.01 per gallon more than this time last year. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Tallahassee nonprofits merge to help more at-risk children

Two Tallahassee-based nonprofits are merging in an effort to help more at-risk children in need of shelter, adoption and treatment — particularly in outlying areas throughout northwest Florida where outreach is difficult. NWF Health Network is taking on a strategic partnership with Capital City Youth Services, the smaller of the two with an annual $3 million budget. CCYS operates Tree House, a group home for ages 12 to 17 and a temporary shelter through its Someplace Else that can house up to 12 children. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.

After third year of calm, is Miami Beach spring break a thing of the past?

For three straight years, spring break in South Beach has come and gone without major incident. Crowds were relatively small last month, especially compared to March weekends in the years after the COVID pandemic, when thousands of young people packed Ocean Drive and the party was sullied by shootings, stampedes and curfews. This year, people still came to town for spring break. But it seemed that even more were there for other reasons, including fitness and wellness programming that Miami Beach officials had promoted. More from the Miami Herald.

Sarasota startup CEO on hitting unicorn status following $250M raise

It’s been a whirlwind year for TENEX.AI. The Sarasota cybersecurity startup closed its $250 million Series B close to one year after signing its first customer, and CEO and co-founder Eric Foster is still taking it all in. Since emerging from stealth in January 2025, the company has quickly established itself in the emerging AI-native managed detection and response space, reporting 318% year-over-year growth. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

A new chapter begins

NUC University–Florida Technical College has officially entered a new chapter under a unified institutional identity as Northbridge University, a strategic evolution reflecting the institution's growth, expanded academic offerings, and long-term national vision. Founded in 1982, the institution has steadily evolved beyond its technical college origins, expanding its academic portfolio, geographic reach, and role in workforce development. [Sponsored report]