Good morning, Tallahassee.

The ninth annual Shoes 4 School giveaway provided over 2,000 pairs of shoes on Sunday at the Al Lawson Center for students in Leon, Gadsden and Jefferson counties+ easing the burden of back-to-school costs, organizers said.

Leon County’s June jobs report shows 853 job gains — raising the unemployment rate to 5.0% as the workforce grew to 164,213.

Year-over-year, employment fell by 819 jobs with the rate up from 4.2%.

FSU College of Law will welcome three dean finalists for campus visits on Aug.13 and Aug.19-20.

The candidates will hold open forums from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Room 103 at the Main Classroom Building on West Jefferson Street with names released 24 hours ahead.

Educator Workforce Academy is helping teachers gain local industry insights to guide students toward diverse career paths through hands-on experiences and site visits; the year-long program bridges classroom learning and local workforce needs (WOW is a collaborative effort among schools, employers, and workforce organizations).

Local developer Steve Ghazvini explained his company uses eco-friendly methods when removing trees for new construction (sustainable practices aim to protect nature).

A Tallahassee mental health expert offered back-to-school stress tips (including breathing and sleep techniques) to help students and families manage anxiety as classes resume.

The advice aims to ease common worries and support overall well-being.

Local developer Steve Ghazvini of Premier Commercial Group completed a beautification project on Thomasville Road with a storm water pond & fountain at the Starbucks near Velda Dairy, enhancing the area’s landscape earlier this week.

Chaires lost 8-5 to Phenix City on Sunday in the winners bracket final of the Southeast Region Tournament and will play a must-win game at 11:00 a.m. Monday, with a Tuesday rematch on the line for a spot in the Little League World Series.

Valdosta State football hosted its first fall camp scrimmage at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium yesterday, with head coach Graham Craig noting improvements ahead of the season.

The Blazers will face Emory & Henry at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.