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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
NOAA calls for busier hurricane season than originally predicted
A pessimistic revision to this season’s Atlantic hurricane forecast was released Wednesday, just as the season ramps up to its period of peak activity. The forecast from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center predicts 7 to 10 hurricanes, up from the pre-season forecast of six to 10. The agency predicts a total of 15 to 21 named storms, which means those with winds speeds of at least 39 mph, up from its earlier prediction of 13 to 20. The number of expected major hurricanes, which means those with winds of at least 111 mph, held steady at three to five. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentineland the Tampa Bay Times.
DeSantis, hospital leaders stress COVID treatments, vaccine protection
Florida hospitals are open and have promising treatments for those who contract and detect the COVID-19 virus early, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a discussion with hospital executives Wednesday, his first public meeting with hospital officials since the latest surge in coronavirus cases. DeSantis noted that hospital executives are saying the vast majority of patients with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, but those that are inoculated typically have mild symptoms. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Drones, money pitched to bolster red tide efforts
Drones could be used to monitor red tide, and money should be set aside to offset local costs of removing fish killed by toxic algae blooms, state wildlife officials said Wednesday as they look to manage future outbreaks. Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said more-proactive measures are needed because red tide outbreaks will continue to hinder the state, particularly the Gulf Coast, which is struggling with an outbreak in the Tampa Bay area. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida theaters can’t follow Broadway in requiring COVID-19 vaccines
If you want to see a Broadway show in the next few months, be prepared to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative test. The Broadway League, which represents producers and theater owners, has announced that all 41 Broadway houses will require vaccines for audience members, with some exceptions allowed, and that masks will be required inside the theaters, following the latest Centers for Disease Control recommendations. But there can be no such requirement in Florida when theaters and other performing arts organizations reopen for the start of their 2021-22 seasons. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
For the first time, Cuba approves Cuban-owned Miami company to do business on the island
The Cuban government has authorized a company owned by Miami businessman Hugo Cancio to operate on the island, an unusual ruling on a request that Cancio submitted more than a year ago that was initially rejected. A decree signed by Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca allows Cancio’s Miami-based Fuego Enterprises to sell food as well as artisanal and other consumer goods in Cuba. It was published July 28 in the island’s Official Gazette. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami cuts Jungle Island debt to get hotel project moving
Miami city commissioners have approved a deal giving the owners of Jungle Island a financial break on money they owe the city, and the move is hoped to help the company get financing so it can build a big hotel at the Watson Island site. The decision came at the commission’s July 22 meeting, but only after spirited comments from Commissioner Joe Carollo who objected to the deal. The vote was 4-1, with Mr. Carollo voting no.
› South Florida among regions losing homeowners, study says
Homebuyers left South Florida for other regions in droves in 2020, according to a study by CoreLogic. The Irvine, California-based company measured where homebuyers purchased properties with mortgages and found the tri-county region had more residents buying houses in other markets than the other way around, said Frank Nothaft, CoreLogic’s chief economist.
› Enchant Christmas light maze returning to St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field
The baseball diamond at Tropicana Field will once again be turned into a twinkling village called Enchant Christmas, the “world’s largest Christmas maze.” The light maze and village will return Nov. 26-Jan. 2. New this year is a Magical Night Sky, a recreation of a North Pole night sky that will animate thousands of synchronized lights shimmering and dancing across the stadium.
› After the pandemic, Safe Harbor Seafood in Mayport sees sales take off again
During some of the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak, Gerald Pack worried more about the future of Safe Harbor Seafood warehouse and market than any other time in the past four decades. “By far, we didn’t know what to do,” Pack said. “It was very slow. People were very antsy.” Pack said about the massive complex about a mile from the mouth of the St. Johns River that spills into the Atlantic Ocean. But he's starting to breathe a little easier now.
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