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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Tampa picks developer to reimagine 18 acres near Hillsborough River
Tampa leaders on Wednesday unveiled their vision for a long-neglected piece of land overlooking the Hillsborough River, selecting the Related Urban Development Group LLC, in partnership with the Tampa Housing Authority, to lead the development. “We are providing houses, we are providing business space, we are providing the amenities our community desperately needs and I’m very, very proud of our team for that,” Mayor Jane Castor said at the announcement at the future development site.
› Sarasota Ballet founder pledges $1 million legacy gift
Jean Weidner Goldstein, the former ballerina who founded The Sarasota Ballet, has made a pledge of $1 million to the company through its Martucci Legacy Society. In 1987, Goldstein announced an alliance with the Sarasota Opera, which served as a presenting partner for a series of touring companies called Opera Presents Ballet. It led to the creation of the Sarasota Ballet of Florida. The company is now marking its 30th anniversary season.
› Unemployed commercial painter receives Florida unemployment benefits one year after filing
Ray Dumont, 26, had been waiting a year for $11,000 in unemployment benefits he applied for but was never able to collect from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Both he and his mother, Michelle, work as independent house painters in Panama City Beach but last March, the coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a halt. “Unless it’s new construction you’re not getting any work,” Michelle said. A year later finding work is still difficult, Dumont said.
› Florida Thespian State Festival goes virtual for participating students
The show must go on! The Florida Thespian State Festival has gone virtual this year with students recording their performances for judges. The festival showcases student talent from all across Florida, in areas including costume design, playwriting, ensemble acting, choreography, musical theatre, and more. After three judges look over the student performances, they will give feedback to them on how to improve their skills.
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