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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida reports fewest new COVID-19 cases since June on Monday
The Florida Department of Health announced 1,885 new cases of COVID-19 in the state on Monday, the lowest single-day increase since June 15. The state's total infections rose to 623,471 since the pandemic began. The state reported 68 new deaths on Monday; a total of 11,187 Florida residents have died from coronavirus during the pandemic. Monday's numbers represent new recorded deaths that may have happened over multiple days. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Here is the plan to recover from the worst tourism crisis in Miami history
Miami’s tourism marketing bureau has a plan to lure travelers back to South Florida but says it is short on funds to execute it. The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau is requesting $7.5 million from Miami-Dade County’s $474 million in federal CARES Act funding for its “Miami Land” advertising campaign, targeting people who live within a road trip’s distance and are looking to spend time outdoors. More from the Miami Herald.
Sarasota County construction remains strong during the pandemic
Building development is advancing in Sarasota County even during the coronavirus pandemic. During the last few months especially, contractors have been active. Through June, single-family home permitting is up 35% with 1,441 permits issued this year, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis told commissioners in a memo this week. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Tattoo parlors, body piercing and tanning businesses allowed to reopen in Palm Beach County Monday
Tattoo parlors, body-piercing studios and tanning salons can reopen in Palm Beach County Monday, as long as they follow necessary COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Palm Beach County issued an executive order Sunday allowing the businesses to reopen, but they must adhere to guidelines from the Florida Department of Health. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Red Lobster may shed some restaurants as Orlando company battles debt amid coronavirus
Orlando-based Red Lobster may close a few restaurants, but there are no plans for mass shutdowns as the company works to address its sliding revenue and a $355 million loan amid the coronavirus pandemic. Seafood supplier Thai Union, which bought a stake in Red Lobster in 2016, provided details on an earnings call this month about how the chain of more than 700 restaurants was responding to the pandemic, which has hammered much of the restaurant industry. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Could beer help Florida raise a glass to the end of Red Tide?
Every week, Darwin Brewing Company in Bradenton needs to get rid of thousands of pounds of soggy barley. Known as spent grain, the cracked kernels are a byproduct of making beer, each a little bigger than a grain of rice. Researchers there are trying to find ways to thwart Red Tide, a scourge for Florida’s Gulf Coast. They believe the used grains could hold an answer in molecules that stunt algal blooms. Red Tide kills fish in droves and forces sunbathers off the beach. Besides the putrid smell, it causes breathing problems.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Photo Gallery
Vintage South Florida businesses endure despite changing times
Instantly they leave an impression: These are not your average modern-day storefronts. Some stand out for their simplicity. Others are memorable for their creativity. Rooted in an era that required them to compete visually for the attention of road-weary tourists, their owners couldn’t wait for word of mouth to bring success.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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