New unemployment claims in Florida see sharp jump for week ending Jan. 11
After several weeks of modest unemployment claims numbers in Florida, the latest report from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) showed a sharp increase, confirming the holiday hiring spree is in the rearview mirror as 2025 moves onward. There were 7,178 initial jobless benefit claims filed for the week ending Jan. 11 before seasonal adjustments. That’s up from 5,018 last week, an increase of 2,160 claims. [Source: Florida Politics]
Business Beat - Week of anuary 17th
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DeSantis picks Florida Attorney General Moody to succeed Rubio in Senate
Gov. Ron DeSantis chose Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to be the state’s next senator, serving out the next two years of Sen. Marco Rubio’s term. Rubio was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of state, leaving the choice of his replacement to DeSantis. Moody will serve until 2026, when the seat is up for election. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Who is James Uthmeier? 5 things to know about who DeSantis wants as attorney general
‘Park preservation’ bills emerge in response to last year’s threat of golf courses in state parks
The proposals came after a massive outcry last year after the state Department of Environmental Protection released plans for what was called the “Great Outdoors Initiative.” The department plans would have led to projects at nine parks and included such things as adding golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County — the home county of Snyder and Harrell. Other parts of the initiative that drew heavy criticism included proposals to construct lodges with up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County. [Source: WMNF]
Move over iguanas. There's a new invasive species moving into Florida, the Asian swamp eel
Heads up Florida. Say hello to your new neighbor, the Asian swamp eel. The swamp eel is one of the latest — and unwelcome — invasive species seen in the Sunshine State and officials want the public's help to report sightings of the nocturnal fish that could be the latest threat to Florida's waterways and the Everglades. [Source: Naples Daily News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› GRU Authority terminates solar agreement, hears from residents on fluoride use in water
During its first meeting of 2025, the GRU Authority on Wednesday terminated its contract with solar provider Origis Energy and also heard from customers who weighed in on the growing national debate over the use of fluoride in drinking water. The authority voted to end its solar power agreement with Origis Energy after GRU General Manager Ed Bielarski said the cost of the project had doubled since the initial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) price in 2020.
› Coral Gables manager resigns, so third one in 12 months hired
After Amos Rojas Jr. resigned as Coral Gables city manager Tuesday night, the city commission appointed deputy manager Alberto Parjus by a 3-2 vote. That makes him the city’s third manager in less than 12 months. Taking effect Jan. 28, Mr. Parjus will take on the role at the next commission meeting. It was Mr. Rojas’ first job in municipal administration.
› Climate First Bank names new CEO on heels of latest investment
Climate First Bank founder and CEO Ken LaRoe is stepping aside for a new chief executive after leading the St. Petersburg community bank through explosive growth since its founding three years ago. President Lex Ford, LaRoe’s longtime protégé, was named CEO effective immediately. He will continue in his role as president.
› 2 Florida airports among busiest in North America. See who's No. 1 in the world
The numbers are in and no Florida airport made the top 10 list among the busiest airports in the world in 2024. But when the field is narrowed to the busiest airports in North America, two Florida airports ranked in the top 10: Orlando International Airport and Miami International Airport, according to OAG's annual ranking of major airports.
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› ZORA! Festival celebrates author Zora Neale Hurston with festivities in Eatonville
An annual festival returning later this month celebrates the life and legacy of the late Central Florida author Zora Neale Hurston while honoring the contributions of Black people across the nation and the world. The 36th annual ZORA! Festival kicks off in Eatonville in late January with an art exhibition opening at the Hurston Museum and a three-day academic conference followed by an outdoor arts festival.
› ‘A project of the year.’ New Miami-Dade facility helps keep wastewater out of the sea
Miami-Dade is a significant step closer to a state-mandated goal of re-using its wastewater, rather than pouring the partially treated stuff into the sea. On Wednesday, the county and Florida Power & Light debuted the FPL Miami-Dade Clean Water Recovery Center, a brand-new facility designed to take a big chunk of the county’s wastewater, treat it and use it to cool off power-generation components at the Turkey Point plant.
› Orlando businesses raise funds for California wildfire relief by selling shirts
As millions of Southern Californians are being impacted by the dangerous wildfires tearing through the state, Central Florida businesses are looking to help even if they are thousands of miles away. On Tuesday, three companies based in Orlando announced the fundraising initiative, “from: Coast to: Coast.” It is a series of T-shirts expressing the unity between California and Florida, designed by Orlando artist Veronica Steiner.
› Naples may charge restaurants yearly fee for outside dining on public property
Sidewalks in downtown Naples are so crowded that city officials plan to add 3 feet to the required walking space next to outdoor dining — and increase fees for using public property. The city Planning Advisory Board voted 6-1 on Jan. 8, with PAB member William Kapler opposing, to recommend that Naples City Council amend the city ordinance to require an 8-foot clear path and to increase annual permit fees to use public property for outdoor dining.