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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Trend Exclusive
How Florida businesses are responding to employees during the COVID-19 crisis
Many employers in Florida have stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic to take care of their employees, adding hazard pay and sick leave and keeping the paychecks coming for as long as possible amid economic turmoil. Others, whether because they lacked the financial resources or just the resolve, not so much. “The true character of an employer comes out in the hardest of times, not the best of times,” says Miami labor attorney Mark Richard, whose firm represents dozens of collective-bargaining units across Florida, including teachers, doctors, nurses and flight attendants. [Source: Florida Trend]
See also:
» Coronavirus cases growing by more than 1,000 a day as testing ramps up
Contractor Deloitte distances itself from Florida’s troubled unemployment system
After facing weeks of criticism because of Florida’s troubled unemployment system, Deloitte Consulting LLP said in a newly filed court document that it has had “no connection” to the online system in more than five years. Deloitte filed the document Monday in Leon County circuit court as it and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity argue for the dismissal of a potential class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of residents who have faced trouble getting benefits amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Deloitte had a state contract to develop the CONNECT unemployment system, which began operating in 2013. [Source: Click Orlando]
As cruise industry prepares to sail, choppy waters are ahead
Some cruise lines are hoping to set sail later this summer but with images of coronavirus-ravaged ships still fresh in many minds, the industry could face years of choppy water ahead. The global cruise industry expected to carry 32 million passengers and take in $71 billion in revenue this year. That will fall by at least 50% this year, says Euromonitor International, a consulting firm. [Source: WFTV]
Florida vacation rental regulations a patchwork
After shuttering vacation-rental properties in late March, Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 18 lifted the ban for counties outside of South Florida, with a caveat: County officials had to submit proposed rental procedures to the state and get the go-ahead before bookings could resume. As of Monday, state Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears has signed off on 53 counties’ plans, according to the agency’s website. The policies are a patchwork of restrictions that can vary from one county to the next. [Source: CBS Miami]
Everything you need to know about MLS, NBA plans to resume their seasons in Orlando
MLS, NBA, you have just spent three months unable to play games because of the coronavirus pandemic, what are you going to do next? We’re going to Disney World! Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando is about to become the epicenter of U.S. professional sports this summer, as all 26 MLS teams and 22 NBA teams will resume their seasons there fan-free after the COVID-19 crisis forced leagues to shut down in mid-March. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Weather looks good for SpaceX Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral
Weather conditions around Cape Canaveral Air Force Station should be favorable for this week's launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with yet another batch of Starlink internet satellites, the Space Force said Tuesday. If teams hold to the Friday launch time slated between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m., weather at Launch Complex 40 should be about 80% "go" for the attempt.
› Florida agriculture company finds way to pivot
The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause issues across the food industry. Restaurants, resorts, and bars all had to close its doors for weeks. This had a trickle-down effect, ultimately hurting food supplies, especially agriculture. These problems also affected a Central Florida company that bills itself as the agriculture of the future. Kalera grows all of its produce indoors, hydroponically, and a completely clean environment.
› South State closes merger with CenterState
CenterState Bank Corp., one of the most aggressive growers in the Sarasota-Manatee region in recent years, has completed its merger with a South Carolina bank in an all-stock deal with a market value of $6 billion. In the banking industry’s latest “merger of equals,” CenterState is now South State Bank, a top-10 lender headquartered in the Southeast with about $34 billion in assets.
› Busch Gardens president talks reopening, safety and when we can ride Iron Gwazi
Busch Gardens is the king of coasters, with more thrill rides than any theme park in Florida. Its 10th coaster was set to open this spring — Iron Gwazi had thrill-seeking fans across the country booking their trips to ride the world’s fastest hybrid coaster. Then the coronavirus pandemic happened, and it all came to a halt on March 16.
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