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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida jobless claims up slightly
Unemployment claims inched up for the second consecutive week in Florida, but the pace remains little changed over the past few months. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report that estimated 6,158 claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended Feb. 4, up from a revised count of 5,866 during the week that ended Jan. 28 and from 5,557 during the week that ended Jan. 21. Since the start of November, after a brief spike caused by Hurricane Ian, the state has averaged 5,970 new claims a week. More from the News Service of Florida.
Florida Supreme Court questions state’s approval of rate hike for FPL
State Supreme Court justices have questioned whether regulators adequately justified the approval of a settlement that increased base electric rates for Florida Power & Light. The Supreme Court heard arguments in two challenges to the Florida Public Service Commission’s approval in late 2021 of the four-year settlement, which began increasing FPL customers’ rates last year. FPL reached the settlement with the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, and other parties including the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. More from the Miami Herald.
Animal rights group files complaint against UF research ending in dog deaths
A national animal rights watchdog group has filed a complaint against the University of Florida over the deaths of two dogs involved in a research study last year. Stop Animal Exploitation Now!, or SAEN, believes UF has committed “multiple clear violations” of the Animal Welfare Act based on a research report submitted by UF on Oct. 6, 2022, to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare — part of the National Institutes of Health. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Sarasota park, nationally known rowing facility names COO
A former IMG Academy executive has been hired by the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy in Sarasota to be its chief operating officer. Bruce Patneaude will replace Stephen Rodriguez, who has served the nonprofit both as CEO and COO. A Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy press release says Rodriguez is transitioning out of his current role in early March. Rodriguez was hired in 2017 by the nonprofit, then known as Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates. More from the Business Observer.
Orlando Health launches area’s 1st hospital-care-at-home program for Medicare, Medicaid patients
Some Orlando Health patients will now receive hospital care at home, which decades of research suggests may lower costs, make patients happier and even improve outcomes without sacrificing safety. “Patients want to be in the home. They don’t have the same restrictions as you would in the brick and mortar hospital as far as visitation, having your family around, having your children around,” said Linda Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president of Advanced Care at Home Orlando Health. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of February 10th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Business Profile
Brightway Insurance: From zero to $1 billion
About 15 years ago, brothers David and Michael Miller, founders of Brightway Insurance LLC, had an idea they were convinced could change how insurance is sold to consumers by neighborhood agencies. Their idea has since grown from one office in North Jacksonville into a $1 billion-a-year business with more than 300 franchises in 30 states, one of the largest privately owned property and casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S.
» Read more from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
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