Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/4/2020

Florida’s unemployment claims jump by 206,494 despite national decline

Florida’s unemployment claims bucked a downward national trend as 206,494 jobless workers applied for benefits in the week ending May 30, an increase of more than 31,000 from the previous week. The state trailed only California, where more than 230,000 people filed for benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor said national claims again showed a slight overall decline, but the new filings pushed the figures since mid-March to more than 42 million. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Miami Herald.

Jacksonville research center to conduct clinical trials for vaccine

The Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research is seeking healthy volunteers who have not been diagnosed with the new coronavirus to participate in trials for potential vaccines. The center may test vaccines produced by as many as 12 different companies, said Sharon Smith, vice president of recruiting. About 4,100 volunteers will be needed, with about 2,000 for one trial alone, she said. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Universal Orlando passholders get sneak peek of theme parks’ reopening

Universal Orlando’s annual passholders grabbed an early look at the future of theme parks on Wednesday. They saw new ways of navigating the attractions, boarded rides with sanitized hands and posed for selfies while 6 feet away from the “Scooby-Doo” gang outfitted in face coverings. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Tampa International Airport delays $906 million in construction

With air travel off more than 90 percent, Tampa International Airport said Thursday that it will delay or cancel nearly $906 million in construction projects. “We’re going to put our plans and dreams on hold,” airport chief executive officer Joe Lopano told the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Where can you get tested for coronavirus? Publix and Home Depot now an option in Florida

COVID-19 walk-up testing sites will be opening at three Publix stores in Florida on Thursday as part of a partnership with the state to increase testing accessibility. It’s part of the state’s plan to open at least six additional walk-up sites, including at select Home Depot stores. More from the Miami Herald.

Event
Ruth Eckerd Hall to host socially distanced concert next week

Ruth Eckerd Hall is testing the waters of socially distanced concerts. Local rocker Greg Billings will play a series of intimate Thursday concerts at the Clearwater performing arts hall, starting at 7:30 p.m. June 11. Instead of the venue’s main stage, he’ll perform in its new grand lobby, which opened last fall after extensive renovations.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Profile
Peter Warhurst

Peter Warhurst helped reinvent the national self-storage industry with PODS, portable on-demand storage. Despite that Clearwater-based company’s success — a private equity firm bought it in 2007, nine years after Warhurst founded it, for $430 million — Warhurst often lamented a missed opportunity. That’s because although PODS pioneered on-demand self-storage, it lost out when customers moved the stuff that filled the containers.