With federal relief checks running out, unemployed Floridians worry what comes next

Since April, $600 weekly payments — officially Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation checks — have sent more than $8 billion to 1.77 million Floridians. That’s nearly three-quarters of all the money pumped through Florida’s unemployment system during the pandemic. But those payments are scheduled to run out this week. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Study: Florida social interactions rose before virus spike

Floridians dramatically cut their social interactions in March when the coronavirus pandemic hit the state, but by June their contacts returned to close to normal, just before cases and deaths began spiking, a university study whose preliminary results were released Wednesday shows. The study came as Florida recorded more than 100 new coronavirus deaths for the seventh time in two weeks, giving it the nation's highest daily average for fatalities for the past week. [Source: AP]

DeSantis mum on protecting businesses from COVID liability

Twenty-one Republican governors sent a letter this week to congressional leaders arguing that businesses, health care workers and schools need lawsuit protections because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did not sign on. Congress is considering another COVID-19 relief package, and many Republicans contend that liability protections need to be part of any legislation that is ultimately passed and sent to President Donald Trump. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

UF launches $70 million artificial intelligence partnership

The University of Florida has entered a $70 million partnership that officials say will catapult the school’s artificial intelligence curriculum, and house the fastest supercomputer in higher education. Tuesday, UF announced it has joined efforts with Silicon Valley-based technology company NVIDIA to bolster and incorporate artificial intelligence, or AI, across the university’s programs. More from Florida Trend and the Gainesville Sun.

Apalachicola oyster harvesting put on ice for five years

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has unanimously approved a plan to suspend commercial and recreational harvest of wild oysters from Apalachicola Bay for five years. The rule will go into effect on Aug. 1. Under the new rule, on-the-water possession of wild oyster harvesting equipment, such as hand tongs, would also be prohibited through December 31, 2025. More from the News Service of Florida and WTXL.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jupiter to waive tax for businesses [Palm Beach Daily News]
There’s more relief on the way for businesses through a proposal town council members tentatively approved Tuesday night. Officials plan to waive Jupiter’s business tax for the 2021 budget year for those renewing licenses with the town. They hope the measure will support local businesses reeling from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Jupiter typically collects about $400,000 annually through the tax.

› Hemp oil products for people and pets recalled after Florida finds elevated lead presence [Miami Herald]
MHR Brands and sister company InHe Manufacturing recalled 36 human hemp oil products and 15 pet hemp oil products after the Florida Department of Health found lead in some of them. MHR Brands’ announcement on tastyhempoil.com and madebyhemp.com states the company “determined that the issue related to graduated droppers provided by a third-party packaging supplier.”

› Millions in relief still available for Orange small businesses [Orlando Sentinel]
Tens of millions of dollars in coronavirus relief aid, set aside to help Orange County small businesses hurt by the pandemic or measures imposed to slow the contagion, remains available nearly two months after a program launched to give the money away.

› Financial services firm invests time, resources into disruptive model [Business Observer]
Vimvest seeks to be at the front of the line as its industry chases tech-based disruptions. To get there, the company is seizing on a seismic shift in how people invest and save money.

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› Brightline might bypass five new rail platforms [Miami Today]
New commuter rail in Northeast Miami-Dade would have up to five new platforms along Florida East Coast Industries’ line between downtown and an upcoming Aventura station but FECI’s Brightline won’t necessarily stop at any of them, a company executive says. After local government committed five years ago to bringing Tri-Rail downtown, FECI Senior Vice President Jose Gonzalez also told Miami’s Downtown Development Authority board in a virtual meeting Friday that the service might roll into the city on FECI tracks by next year.

› Possible record? Turtle tagged by Loggerhead Marinelife Center laid 8 nests this season [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Months into a turtle monitoring project that will likely take years to complete, Loggerhead Marinelife Center says it already has surprising results. One of seven turtles tagged earlier this year, a female named Pappas, has laid eight nests since the spring. After scouring the scientific literature, the center’s staff suspect Pappas has hit turtle parenting record territory, tying for the most confirmed nests by a loggerhead in one season.

› Walmart Health coming to Florida, focusing on Jacksonville [Businness Journals]
Building on its operations in Georgia and Arkansas, Walmart Health is expanding to Florida, focusing on the Jacksonville area, the company said in a statement. Exact locations and services have not been announced.

› Orlando’s Broadway series delayed until 2021 [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando’s season of touring Broadway shows has been shelved until 2021 — but the current slate of scheduled productions will remain intact. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which presents the touring shows with Florida Theatrical Association and Broadway Across America, announced the latest delay on Wednesday morning.