How Gen Z in Florida is navigating a weaker labor market in the age of AI

Gen Z is inheriting a tough job market in Florida. The state's unemployment is outpacing the national average. The candidate pool is flooded with graduates seeking similar work. And artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game for employers and job seekers alike. Florida's unemployment rate was 4.8% in May, outpacing the national average for the fifth month in a row, according to the latest figures released by Florida Commerce. Seven of the state's top 10 industries posted negative job growth in May compared to last year. And while these signs point to a weaker economy for everybody in Florida, things can feel especially bad for recent college grads. [Source: WUSF]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Building discernment

Katy Webb directed Yale University's undergraduate library. When she chose to come to Stetson University in 2024 as dean of the library and learning technologies, the school's emphasis on information literacy was a key reason. Information literacy — how people process information and separate fact from opinion — may not be at the top of anyone's list of soft skills, but to Webb, Stetson leaders and professors are "visionaries" for choosing to build the skills of discernment in their students. [Source: Florida Trend]

Final Atlas V satellite mission launches in Florida on Amazon Leo 8 mission

A ULA Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, carrying 29 Amazon Leo internet satellites. This mission marked the final Atlas V launch for a satellite payload, with remaining rockets assigned to Boeing Starliner missions. The Atlas V rocket has completed 110 launches since its first mission in 2002. The next launch from Florida is a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites. [Source: Florida Today]

Florida’s reading, math scores look promising. Experts say wait and see

Florida students posted record-high scores on the state’s annual reading and math tests this year, a promising gain that experts said should be viewed with cautious optimism until more data is available. Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that this year, for the first time ever, 60% of Florida’s students tested at or above grade level in reading and math. The increases represent continued gains from last year and a sharp jump, especially in reading, from where Florida stood just three years ago when only about half of students read at or above grade level. But those better test scores came as Florida’s public schools lost students this past academic year. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida ranks 3rd most expensive state to start over after divorce

Florida is one of the most expensive states to start over after a divorce, according to a new study. The analysis from iSelect ranked Florida No. 3 among the 30 most expensive states for starting over after a breakup. The study estimated the cost of starting over in Florida at $4,290, including income loss, rent and an accommodation deposit. Researchers said that amount is equal to about 3.06 weeks of pay. [Source: WFTV]

If you build it, they will come

In a bold move to invest in its campus community — and recruit and retain top talent — Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) developed a blueprint for employee housing that's below market price and conveniently close to work. The initial phase of Eagle View Village — the first rental community of its kind among Florida's 12 state universities — is expected to welcome its first residents in January 2027. The market-smart initiative aligns with the Southwest Florida university's 2024-29 strategic plan, which includes strengthening organizational culture and commitment to employees. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› A former hotel helps Miami's homeless seniors. See how they celebrated its first year [Miami Herald]
Hideaway Bay, a housing complex in Cutler Bay dedicated to helping seniors experiencing homelessness, celebrated its first year of operation Tuesday with a dance party and appearances from local officials. Instructor Paula Young got some of the property’s 93 residents and staff moving on the dance floor, who were joined by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

› Sarasota named America's best town to visit in 2026 [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Just in time for the July Fourth holiday weekend, Sarasota has been named the No. 1 "Best Town to Visit in 2026" by CNN. As the United States marks its 250th birthday, CNN Travel released its annual list of America's Best Towns to Visit on Wednesday, July 1, spotlighting 10 destinations that it says often fly under the radar.

› Kissimmee’s Gateway Airport looks to go international [Orlando Sentinel]
The Kissimmee Gateway Airport could soon allow international flights to land and take off from its airfield near the heart of Central Florida’s tourism district. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency recently granted the municipal airport preliminary approval to be designated as a “User Fee Facility,” paving the way for the airfield to allow small planes flying in from other countries to land on its runways.

› Jacksonville, HUD team on affordable housing pilot using manufactured homes [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The city of Jacksonville and federal housing officials have partnered to support an affordable housing pilot project centered on manufactured homes. On June 30, Mayor Donna Deegan and administrators from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ceremonially signed a memorandum of understanding to support the project on city-owned land in Northwest Jacksonville.

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› With a county offer to buy, Fisher Island ‘clock starts ticking’ [Miami Today]
A formal offer from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to buy the only fueling site for PortMiami’s ships was days away, Deputy Mayor Roy Coley told a video conference of seaport users last week. No price was cited. The offer is a procedural step in county efforts to acquire the Fisher Island property by eminent domain to prevent a closure of the fuel facility next year. The land is to house luxury condos in the nation’s highest per-capita-income ZIP code.

› Port Canaveral weighs future of unused Exploration Tower, closed since 2022 [Florida Today]
Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral opened to great fanfare in 2013, and the $23 million building quickly became an iconic sight welcoming visitors to one of the world's busiest cruise ports. But for the last four years the building has sat empty, and the Port still has not decided its future. The tower was designed as an event center, museum and observation tower.

› Project Tango: Proposed data center faces key decisions in Palm Beach County [South Florida Sun Sentinel]
Ernie Cox sat behind the wheel of Dodge Durango on a recent summer afternoon, gearing up to give a tour across a large swath of land that may one day be the site of a data and warehouse center. Cox is one of the public faces behind the proposal that’s still under review. He has been offering such tours in hopes of fostering a better public understanding of the plan. Over the past year, the controversial initiative has drawn opposition from many residents, as well as concerns from some local officials.

› Jacksonville tech firm joins Russell 2000 Index as AI pivot gains traction [Jacksonville Business Journal]
Jacksonville-based Duos Technologies Group Inc. this week embraced its inclusion into the Russell 2000 Index, granting it a larger stage on Wall Street. The addition puts the local company into one of the country’s most closely watched small-cap benchmarks, increasing its visibility with institutional investors and portfolio managers.

FSU researchers use technology deep below ground to detect earthquakes hundreds of miles away