Florida sues OpenAI over chatbot safety concerns
Florida on Monday became the first state to sue OpenAI over claims that ChatGPT posed a risk to children and that the company had failed to warn the public of dangers posed by the chatbot, adding to a growing backlash against artificial intelligence. In the 83-page lawsuit, which was filed in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, the state said OpenAI had built “a dangerous online product where harmful information such as tips on eating disorders, self-harm and mass murder are readily available, including to young children.” More from the New York Times, the Tampa Bay Times, and Quartz.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Soccer central
Sporting Club Jacksonville will build a 15,000-seat stadium near St. John's Town Center to serve as a home for its Sporting JAX men's and women's soccer teams. The stadium and the full site will be part of a mixed-use sporting and entertainment district. Sporting JAX teams played their inaugural games in March. [Source: Florida Trend]
Column: Why Florida has to lead on water, resilience and climate
In a state bordered on three sides by water, Floridians understand what our coastlines mean. The ocean isn’t scenery to us — it’s identity, it’s economy, it’s livelihood. Protecting our waterways, wetlands, marine life and habitats isn’t an environmental issue. It’s a Florida issue. It’s a tourism issue, a food security issue, an affordability issue and a survival issue. [Source: The Invading Sea]
Florida ranks top 10 for best state economies: study
U.S. economic growth depends on the individual states, and some are contributing more than others. Florida was ranked in the top 10 of the best economies, according to a new WalletHub study. In order to determine what states were doing the most to move the U.S. economy forward, WalletHub compared 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 indicators of economic performance and strength. [Source: WFLA]
Property tax relief faces pushback despite wide voter support
Lawmakers convened in a special session Monday to discuss putting property tax relief on the November ballot as a constitutional amendment, but it faces pushback. The proposal put forth by Gov. Ron DeSantis would exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value and implement a complete phase out for property taxes on homesteads. Property tax relief is widely popular among both Republican and Democratic voters. However, the movement is not without its critics. [Source: The Center Square]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› ARK Invest and spARK Labs to launch early-stage venture fund
St. Petersburg-based incubator spARK Labs by ARK Invest and investment firm ARK Invest will launch a new early-stage venture fund and angel network. Becca Brown, CEO and president of spARK Labs by ARK Invest, explained that there is an opportunity to invest in young startups across ARK Invest’s core themes of artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, energy storage and multiomics biology. It is targeted to launch, she added, in “the coming weeks.”
› 8 South Florida startups will present at this week’s FVF Early Stage Venture Conference
Twenty-six startups were selected to present this week at the Florida Venture Forum’s 2026 Early Stage Venture Conference, and eight of them are from South Florida. Florida Venture Forum is the largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, and the conference takes place June 2-3 at the UCF Rosen School of Hospitality in Orlando.
› Southwest Florida’s season evolves beyond tourism
By the time summer arrives in Southwest Florida, there’s usually a collective sense that everyone has made it through another season. The traffic eases. Reservations become easier to find. Locals greet familiar faces and reclaim favorite restaurants and beaches after months of navigating packed parking lots and crowded roads. And businesses across the region quietly begin asking the same question: So, now that it’s over, how did season really go? This year’s answer feels a little more layered than usual.
› ‘A phenomenal opportunity’: Search is on for a new leader for Visit Lauderdale
The president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, the organization tasked with attracting tourists, conventions and major sporting events to Broward County, is not stepping down for another year. But officials say it’s not too soon to start looking for her replacement. The job was posted in mid-May, and the search is nationwide in scope.
More stories ...
› Blue Origin New Glenn explosion caused 'earthquake' across Florida
The New Glenn rocket explosion during a static fire test on May 28 created a shockwave felt as far away as Clearwater, Florida, the USGS National Earthquake Information Center reported. Meanwhile, assessments continued not only of the extensive damage to Blue Origin's Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 but what it could mean for NASA's ambitious moon base plans, which relied, in part, on Blue Origin.
› Central Florida Zoo mixes disco, fundraiser, 50th anniversary
Central Florida Zoo & Biological Gardens is looking for some boogie fever to hit Sanford. The attraction will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a throwback event on June 13. It’s dubbed Zoodio 50 Disco Party. The adults-only fundraiser will feature dinner and a dance floor that harkens back to the ’70s. Disco-inspired clothing is encouraged for the event.
› Jacksonville-based Fortegra closes $1.65B sale to South Korea's DB Insurance
Jacksonville-based Fortegra has completed its previously announced $1.65 billion acquisition by South Korea’s DB Insurance Co., closing a deal that gives the specialty insurer a new global parent while keeping Fortegra’s existing leadership team in place. The transaction, first announced in September, received all required regulatory and stockholder approvals, the companies said. Fortegra will continue to operate independently, maintaining its distribution relationships and underwriting approach.
› Young Tampa exec tackles construction industry, serves as role model
Julianna Nickel of JE Dunn Construction knew early in life that she liked watching buildings come together, a passion she’s brought to the construction industry. While the number of women in construction is growing, the industry remains male oriented. Nickel is giving back by serving as a role model for young women at the University of Florida, her alma mater.