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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida jobless claims similar to pre-pandemic numbers
Florida’s first-time unemployment claims continue to roll in near pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, with the U.S. Department of Labor estimating Wednesday that 5,818 claims were filed last week in the state. The estimate for the week that ended Nov. 6 was down from a revised count of 6,502 claims in the week ending Oct. 30. The initial projection for that week was 5,958. An estimated 267,000 new claims were filed nationally last week, down 4,000 from the prior week. That was the lowest number for a week since before March 15, 2020, which is when the pandemic began causing massive job losses. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida’s sports betting deal with Seminoles doesn’t violate federal law, US attorneys say
The U.S. Department of the Interior has fired back against allegations that a deal giving the Seminole Tribe control of sports betting in Florida violates federal law, pointing to a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature to allow the tribe to accept bets from throughout the state. Department attorneys filed a 33-page court document late Tuesday in Washington, D.C., disputing that the sports-betting plan violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a federal law that provides a framework for tribal gambling. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida anticipates high-quality crop thanks to favorable growing conditions
Despite U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts for a smaller production of all oranges and grapefruits this year, Florida citrus growers said favorable growing conditions and favorable weather are resulting in a strong, high-quality Florida citrus crop. According to the USDA, overall U.S. citrus production for the fresh market is estimated at 3.45 million tons in 2020-21, down 6% from the previous season, with smaller fresh-market crops of oranges (down 11%), grapefruit (down 15%) and lemons (down 6%). [Source: The Packer]
Airlines add flights to Havana, but new U.S. travel rules pose a challenge for Cubans
U.S. airlines will add daily flights to Cuba starting next month, as the island’s government prepares to lift strict COVID-related measures on Nov. 15. But those flights will likely carry mostly Cuban Americans on family visits to the island, as newly imposed travel rules from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make it very difficult for Cubans to enter the United States. And tickets in December will make those 45 minutes separating Miami from Havana pricey. [Source: Miami Herald]
Citizens Insurance tops 725,000 policies
The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has continued to add thousands of customers a week, reaching nearly 726,000 policies in October. Numbers posted Wednesday on the Citizens website show the insurer had 725,942 policies on Oct. 31, up from 708,919 policies at the end of September. As a measure of its growth, Citizens had 521,289 policies on Oct. 31, 2020, and 419,475 policies on Oct. 31, 2019, the website shows. The growth has come as private insurers have sought large rate increases and dropped customers to reduce financial risks. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Brevard Zoo seeks oyster shells from Central Florida restaurants for Indian River Lagoon projects
The Brevard Zoo is expanding its oyster shell program to begin accepting shells from Central Florida restaurants that go toward its efforts helping the Indian River Lagoon, according to zoo officials. The zoo announced it is now accepting shells from more restaurants after its Restore Our Shores program received a grant from Brevard County, according to a release. The program currently works with 20 Brevard County restaurants.
› Gov. DeSantis again proposes pay increase, bonuses for teachers
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is again proposing to increase teacher wages and to provide another round of bonuses, he announced Wednesday. DeSantis held a news conference at a Jacksonville school to highlight education budget proposals, which still need to be approved by the Legislature. It includes $600 million to raise teacher salaries.
› Miami flight bookings soaring with return of international travelers
As Miami prepared to welcome vaccinated international travelers from 39 countries this week for the first time since early 2020, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau noted a great improvement in flight bookings and hotel occupancy in the second half of the year. In October 2020, domestic travel accounted for 71% of passengers at Miami International Airport, while international travel – from the nations that were allowed to travel – accounted for 29%. This year, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department reported, international travel rose to 34% and domestic travel was 66%.
› Pinellas County Commission adopts 100 percent clean energy goals
The Pinellas County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a goal that countywide electricity be sourced entirely from clean energy by 2050. The decision makes Pinellas the first county in Florida to sign onto a national campaign spearheaded by the Sierra Club, which seeks to move communities toward 100 percent clean energy sources in response to climate change.
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