Global university rankings are out. Here’s how Florida schools did
The U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings Tuesday, a list that includes more than 2,500 public and private colleges and universities across the world. Although no Florida universities made the top 100, the University of Florida barely missed the mark, tying for No. 105, up four places from last year’s ranking. The University of Colorado Boulder and Norway’s University of Oslo tied with Florida’s flagship. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Housing crunch
Tampa Bay's Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties welcomed nearly 100,000 new households between 2018 and 2023. During the same time period, however, only 82,000 new housing units came online. That gap — which is projected to widen through 2035 — is the focus of "The Housing Equation," a first-of-its-kind report released in January by the Tampa Bay Partnership. [Source: Florida Trend]
More than 40 insurers lower Florida home and auto insurance rates
Florida’s auto and home insurance markets are stabilizing, delivering much-needed relief to drivers and homeowners across the state as insurance prices come down. The downward trend stems directly from changes passed by state lawmakers in 2023, which helped reduce insurance claim costs and lawsuit abuse. As a result, the state's insurance market has become significantly more competitive, further driving prices down. Since the start of 2025, more than 40 insurance companies in Florida have filed for rate decreases. [Source: WTVT]
Florida once again falls in bottom half of child welfare rankings
Florida is once again ranked 35th in the nation for child well-being. For nearly 40 years, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its Kids Count Data Book, giving a state-by-state look at children's welfare in the United States. Florida has consistently ranked between 30th and 35th since the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida Policy Institute, the state's partner in the Kids Count network, is urging lawmakers to prioritize lower-income kids. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Survey demonstrates effectiveness of VISIT FLORIDA marketing
The Sunshine State’s official destination marketing organization — received results from its mid-year Integrated Marketing Effectiveness Survey, showing growth in campaign awareness and demonstrable, positive impact on traveler behavior, perceptions of Florida and the visitation to the state. The Integrated Marketing Effectiveness study (IME) measures how VISIT FLORIDA’s paid, owned and earned marketing efforts influence traveler awareness, perceptions, intent to visit and brand health, while benchmarking Florida against key competitor destinations (such as California, New York, Hawaii, Texas, the Caribbean, etc.). [Source: Florida Weekly]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida-based Home Depot rival just filed for bankruptcy
As Americans continue to spend cautiously on large home projects, another home improvement retailer has turned to bankruptcy court for help. Home Value Store, a family-owned chain that competes with larger retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s in South Florida, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing comes as many businesses tied to housing and remodeling face slower sales and rising financial pressure.
› Broward County won’t try to buy Spirit Airlines’ former headquarters
Broward County is abandoning its effort to acquire the headquarters left behind when Spirit Airlines shut down last month. Commissioners didn’t even take a vote on the issue after it became clear during a meeting Tuesday morning that if they did purchase the six-story, 180,000-square-foot office building, they could not guarantee they would be able to use it.
› Small data center proposed in Pinellas Park
A company has submitted a proposal to build a data center in Pinellas Park. Officials received the permit request on May 21, said city spokesperson Chris Torello, from Boston developer American Tower. The project site at 10700 76th Court North, near the northwestern edge of the city, is home to a 1980s-era office building, which would be demolished under the plan.
› With Minu acquisition, Miami-based unicorn Betterfly doubles down on U.S. growth
Four years ago, Chilean entrepreneur Eduardo della Maggiora arrived in Miami with a long-term vision for Betterfly, the insurtech and healthtech unicorn he founded and leads. The Miami-based company had launched in Latin America, but the United States was always part of the plan. Last week, that vision took a major step forward.
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› Release of conservation easements approved for road planned through Split Oak Forest
A second state agency has approved releasing conservation easements from land in Orange and Osceola counties so that a toll road can be built through the southern part of Split Oak Forest, a roughly 1,700-acre natural area set aside for protection 32 years ago. The South Florida Water Management District’s governing board voted unanimously to approve releasing the easements from about 55 and a half acres of land.
› New private mansions on Fisher Island start at $34 million
In the richest ZIP code in the U.S., condos dominate the skyline. But if you squint hard enough at the new construction across from PortMiami, you may notice that mansions are bringing a new look to Fisher Island. Along with luxury amenities and a promise of privacy on the invite-only island, a community called The Mansions on Fisher Island offers to meet rising expectations of the rich for size and security.
› Tampa Sports Authority rebukes conflict of interest accusations
The Tampa Sports Authority’s general counsel responded with a rebuttal Monday to accusations of undisclosed conflicts of interest levied against four board members. “Based upon the facts presented” attorney Jeffrey Gibson wrote in a letter rebuking the accusations, “I would have opined that recusal was not warranted and that the board members should proceed to vote.”
› Next page in NLP's playbook moves from word-of-mouth wins to government bids
NLP Logix built its brand investing time, money and people-power, persuading companies to take a chance on artificial intelligence. Fifteen years later, the world has caught up. The Jacksonville technology firm is repositioning itself to match — expanding its physical footprint, sharpening its go-to-market strategy and preparing for an influx of clients that need direction, not convincing.