Florida housing costs squeeze older adults on a fixed income

Aging Floridians on a fixed income are having a hard time keeping up with cost of living increases. "If you're on Social Security, honestly, I don't know how you can afford to live in Florida because the housing costs are high," said program director Kathleen Sarmiento at the Miami-based Alliance for Aging. It's one of 11 regional offices designated by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to provide information and benefits assistance to aging residents and caregivers. More from WUSF News.

Has your favorite Florida treat gone up with inflation?

Good news: The cost of a gallon of gas is continuing its downward trend. Bad news: Food prices jumped almost 11% since July 2021 — the fastest rate since 1979, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ July 2022 Consumer Price Index. The prices you are seeing on the food shelves at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Sedano’s, Milam’s and your other favorite grocery stores in South Florida even outpaces the overall inflation rate of 8.5% over the last year. More from the Miami Herald.

Manufacturing in Northeast Florida: 'Our strongest sector'

Manufacturing may be the next fastest-growing business sector in Northeast Florida, based on current interest in the area from companies looking for the best place to open or expand their operations. The trend is driven by how the coronavirus pandemic changed the office market, said Aaron Bowman, senior vice president of business development at JAXUSA Partnership, the regional economic development division of JAX Chamber. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Tropical wave no longer expected to develop thanks to winds and African dust

The tropical wave pushing west in the Atlantic is no longer under any expectation of becoming Tropical Storm Danielle, according to the National Hurricane Center. In its 8 a.m. Thursday update, the NHC reduced the wave’s chances of becoming the fourth named storm of the season to 0 due to environmental conditions. Hurricane specialists noted in an earlier update that the wave faced upper atmosphere winds that weren’t so great for storm organization. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Pinellas job fair connects job seekers with employers near bus routes

The job fair was the brainchild of the Pinellas bus agency’s leadership program and an effort to bring together riders and employers found on some of their major routes. About half of riders uses their bus service to get to and from work, according to agency staff. They spread the word by Google ads, social media posts, putting flyers on the buses and texting riders. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Employer investment in educator partnerships fuels employee success

Fierce competition for talent has employers turning inward to solve their hiring dilemmas. Healthcare in particular is re-evaluating how it recruits and retains employees. One way is through employer-educator partnerships. This strategy enables employers to engage in employee success — success that translates into improved outcomes for individuals and communities. [Sponsored report]