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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
A labor shortage is holding back Florida's growth. Here's why it could stay that way.
For years, economic boosters have claimed that "1,000 people per day" move to the Sunshine State. Last year, Florida lived up to that claim and then some, drawing over 1,140 residents a day to become the nation's fastest-growing state for the first time since 1957. That growth has translated into a greater need for new homes, apartments, restaurants, stores, hospitals and public works projects. And that greater need is translating into a growing headache: Florida's construction industry is reeling from a severe labor shortage that has no end in sight, builders and economists say. More from Florida Today and the Gainesville Sun.
Hurricane center tracks new system headed to Caribbean as Tropical Storm Don churns in Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center began keeping tabs on a system off the coast of Africa expected to head toward the Caribbean with a chance of becoming the season’s next tropical depression or storm. The new tropical wave is located a few hundred miles south of the Cape Verde Islands producing clouds and showers over the eastern tropical Atlantic, according to the NHC’s 8 a.m. Wednesday tropical outlook. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
AAA joins list of insurers not renewing some Florida policies
AAA won’t renew “a very small percentage” of homeowners and auto insurance policies in hurricane-wracked Florida, joining other insurers in limiting their exposure in the Sunshine State despite efforts by lawmakers to calm the volatile insurance market, the company said Tuesday. AAA said in a statement that it wasn’t leaving Florida, but that last year’s devastating hurricane season had led to an “unprecedented” rise in reinsurance rates, making it more costly to operate. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida reports new case of locally contracted malaria bringing total to 7
A southwest Florida county has document a seventh case of malaria, state authorities said. The Florida Department of Health reported a new locally acquired case of malaria in Sarasota County during the week of July 9-15. That's in addition to five cases last month and one case in May. Sarasota County and Manatee County directly to the north have been under a mosquito-borne illness alert for nearly a month. The area is located on the Gulf of Mexico, just south of Tampa Bay. More from NBC Miami and WPTV.
Could Florida politics drag down Tampa Bay tourism?
Some business and lifestyle conventions hosted in Florida face a new challenge this year: convincing attendees they’re safe in the state. Conventions attracting vulnerable groups — LGBTQ+ people, educators of color, abortion providers — are responding to concerns from attendees and vendors who perceive Florida as hostile to their identities, or the state’s policies as anathema to the convention’s purpose. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Sports Business
Jaguars, city officials open Miller Electric Center
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he “couldn’t ask for a better present” on his 73rd birthday. Khan, Jaguars leadership, city officials and representatives of Miller Electric Co. and Haskell cut the ribbon July 18 on the NFL team’s $120 million-plus practice and training facility — the Miller Electric Center.
» More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Out of the Box
Pet Alliance hosts 10th annual ‘My Best Friend Wine Label Contest’
Furry friends of all kinds have the chance to end up on a wine-bottle label, thanks to an annual contest from Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. The “My Best Friend Wine Label Contest” returns for its 10th year, giving pet parents the opportunity to have their cat or dog appear on a bottle of wine. Entries are accepted through July 31, then voting is open Aug. 1-19. The contest raises funds for PAGO as each vote is cast with a $1 donation.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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