Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! and you're just gonna have to indulge me! Ha!
No, but seriously, I'm gonna start using these intros as a pitch room every now and then. You all are the executives. Because I'm having so many different ideas (most of which I talk myself down from) and I don't even know if they're good.
💡 The pitch: We need somebody dedicated to giving robust, in-depth… bathroom reviews locally. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. This could be useful for families who are out doing things. What if we had a map of bathrooms and their level of cleanliness?
Vote below and tell me why you voted what you voted.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: St. Lucie County's unemployment rate climbed to 5.7% in January
A new state jobs report shows St. Lucie County's unemployment rate hit 5.7% in January 2026, up from 4.2% in January 2025, and the numbers across the entire Treasure Coast are trending in the same direction 📈.
Why it matters: Florida lost 20,600 jobs from January 2025 to January 2026, with eight out of ten major industries seeing negative job growth over that stretch, and the Treasure Coast is feeling that statewide pressure right alongside everyone else.
Where the Treasure Coast stands 📊:
🔴 Indian River County: 6.0%
🔴 Okeechobee County: 5.9%
🟠 St. Lucie County: 5.7%
🟡 Martin County: 5.3%
🟡 Palm Beach County: 4.9%
The industries losing the most jobs statewide 📉:
💼 Professional and business services: 15,900 jobs lost
🏗️ Construction: 8,800 jobs lost
🏦 Financial activities: 9,200 jobs lost
🍽️ Leisure and hospitality: 4,800 jobs lost
One bright spot worth noting: education and health services added 45,700 jobs statewide, making it the one sector that held up across the board 🏥.
What's next: The state will continue releasing monthly figures, and the next report will show whether the trend holds or starts to reverse heading into spring.
💬 Are you feeling the effects of any of these numbers? Tell us your thoughts right here
🥳 Out-of-Towner: April 14 - April 20
Wednesday, April 15
🎵 Luther After Dark – The Luther Vandross Tribute Experience – Smooth soul, live sax with AJ Saxx, handcrafted desserts and cocktails in a candlelit setting at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach. | 7–10 PM | $35 food & beverage minimum | RSVP
⚾ Jackie Robinson Celebration Game – Jupiter Hammerheads vs. Palm Beach Cardinals on Jackie Robinson Day; proceeds benefit United Way of Indian River County at Jackie Robinson Training Complex, Vero Beach. | Gates 5 PM, First Pitch 6:42 PM | $12 | Details
Thursday, April 16
👟 Fleet Feet Spring Fun Run – Community spring run welcoming all paces at Fleet Feet, Vero Beach. | Sign Up
Friday, April 17
🤝 Urban League Equal Opportunity Day Gala – 53rd Annual formal gala celebrating community impact and leadership in West Palm Beach. | Details
Saturday, April 18
🍷 Friends of Jupiter Beach Food & Wine Festival – Beloved annual food and wine fundraiser with dozens of chefs, eateries, wineries, and breweries competing for awards at The Plaza Down Under on the Riverwalk, Harbourside, Jupiter. Dog friendly. | 1–5 PM (VIP Early Access 12 PM) | From $27.95 | Get Tickets
🎵 Top Hits of the 60s Live Orchestra – Florida Rock Orchestra performing classic 60s hits live in Stuart. | Details
🎨 Northwood Arts & Music Festival – Art vendors, live music, and culture in the Northwood Village neighborhood, West Palm Beach. | Details
🫐 5th Annual Blueberry Fest – Family festival with blueberries, food, live entertainment, and activities in Melbourne. | Apr 18–19 | Details
Send More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Publix Scales Fading, Bar Exam Struggles, and Hurricane Season
⚖️ Publix's iconic green scales disappearing – Manufacturer stopped production in 2015, meaning signature "people weighers" at store fronts eventually going extinct. George Jenkins put them in first store 1930. New Publix locations opening without them. Publix scales
📚 Florida Bar exam passage rate drops – 61.8% of first-time takers passed February exam, down from 64.9% last year. FSU had highest rate (86%), Miami lowest (39.3%). Barry sent most students (48). Exam administered in Tampa Feb. 24-25. Bar results
🌀 2026 hurricane season forecast: somewhat below normal – Colorado State predicting 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, 2 major hurricanes. El Niño returning as dominant factor. Similar to last year but fewer major storms expected. Season starts June 1. Hurricane forecast
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