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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida averages 250 COVID deaths a day; children top infections, positivity rates
In Florida, there are more people dying of COVID-19 than ever before. There are also more children being infected than ever before. The state reported 1,727 deaths from Aug. 20 through Thursday, the most recent seven-day period of data released by the state. That is the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities reported in a single week since the start of the pandemic. August deaths match the peak fatalities from the last wave of infections in January. And that number could continue to climb as new data rolls in. [Source: Tampa Bay Ties]
SpaceX breaks Florida's two-month drought with launch to ISS
SpaceX officially broke Florida's two-month launch drought early Sunday, vaulting a Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center with thousands of pounds of cargo for astronauts stationed in low-Earth orbit. Falcon 9 slowly ascended from pad 39A exactly 47 seconds after 3:14 a.m., relying on its nine Merlin main engines to propel Dragon on a trajectory to catch up with the International Space Station some 250 miles overhead. It marked the 23rd run for SpaceX under contract with NASA to deliver supplies, cargo, and science experiments to the ISS. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida freshwater mussel gets protected habitat thanks to museum collections
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 190 miles of streams and rivers in Florida and Georgia as critical habitat for a rare species of freshwater mussel once thought to be extinct. The new ruling, which went into effect Aug. 2, outlines protective measures for the Suwannee moccasinshell, Medionidus walkeri, whose numbers have been steadily dwindling over the past several decades. [Source: WJXT]
Replacing state surgeon general may be difficult
Florida needs a new state surgeon general. The question could quickly become: Will it be easy to find someone? Scott Rivkees announced he will leave his post as surgeon general and secretary of the Florida Department of Health next month. But the move comes amid a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Combine that with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ antagonism to federal health authorities and mask mandates, and it might make it difficult to find a replacement. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Sugar growers sue Army Corps over water level in reservoir for Everglades restoration
South Florida sugar farmers are suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over water levels in a massive reservoir considered key to Everglades restoration and reducing coastal algae blooms. Florida Crystals, through its Okeelanta Corp. subsidiary, the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida and U.S. Sugar filed separate complaints on Thursday alleging the Corps is planning on operating the reservoir, which is still being built, under a strategy that will reduce their water supply. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Huge growth in Jacksonville Hispanic population spurs new business
The five-county Jacksonville metro area is growing and a majority of this growth is happening within the Hispanic community, according to recently released census data. With this growth comes the opportunity for new businesses and community organizations centered around the Hispanic culture.
› Black Joy Festival delivers fun, health resources to Orlando community
More than 100 people stopped by the tents of a couple dozen Black-owned businesses, artists and health providers at Blue Jacket Park on Saturday, which organizers said was an overwhelming success for the inaugural Black Joy Festival. Hosted by the Black Health Commission with biopharmaceutical company Forma Therapeutics, the festival was equal parts cultural celebration and health fair.
› Tech Trail: Miami tech closes in on as many deals as it did in 2019 — and it’s only August
The latest Miami tech deals data are in. According to tech tracking group Pitchbook, South Florida tech startups have counted 141 deals totaling $1.3 billion so far this year. That compares with 176 deals for $1.2 billion in all of 2020 and 169 deals for $1.9 billion in 2019. The record for South Florida is $2.5 billion raised in 2018, a year that included $1 billion fundraising for both Magic Leap and REEF.
› Tampa’s Sykes Enterprises completes $2.2 billion sale, becomes private
Tampa’s Sykes Enterprises is a public company no more. The customer service and technical support company, whose name is a fixture on the skyline of downtown Tampa, has completed its $2.2 billion all-cash sale to the Sitel Group, a global customer service firm based in Miami.
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