New Florida jobless assistance claims hit a pandemic low — but not for contract workers

New applications for jobless assistance in Florida stayed at a pandemic low, even as week-to-week figures continued to be revised. The Labor Department reported Thursday that new Florida claims for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the program for workers such as contract employees not eligible for regular jobless benefits, continued to trend unevenly. For the week ending March 6, new PUA claims climbed from 2,262 to 2,925 — but as recently as the week ending Feb. 20, new PUA claims were as high as 11,473. More from the Miami Herald and the News Service of Florida.

Business Beat - Week of March 12

Check out the top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.

As Florida wipes away COVID-19 fines, confusion looms over how to enforce safety rules during spring break

Florida has just wiped away any COVID-19-related fines against people and businesses over the past year — leaving communities trying to figure out how they’ll enforce the safety rules, especially as throngs of people hit the bars and beaches for spring break. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new order dismissed fines that were issued against people and businesses for violating local COVID laws, including mask violations, between March 1, 2020, and Wednesday. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida on pace for record number of manatee deaths in 2021

A combination of cold weather, a decline in seagrass due to development and contaminated waterways have put Florida on pace for its highest number of manatee deaths in a decade. The number of deaths, 432 so far this year, is nearly three times the five-year average of 146 deaths between Jan. 1 and March 5, the South Florida SunSentinel reported, citing figures from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, the state recorded 637 manatee deaths, and in 2019, 607. More from the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida is holding a ‘treasure hunt’ worth millions. Here’s how to grab your share.

The state of Florida is giving away money. Or, you could say Florida is returning money. And all that’s required is a visit to a website and a bit of paperwork. There’s a one-in-five chance you have unclaimed property, according to the state. Florida said it paid $323 million to residents last year. A variety of property can be claimed, most commonly refunds/credit balances, uncashed checks, life insurance benefits, stocks, bonds and items in safe deposit boxes. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Lawsuit: Florida sheriff’s intel program harasses people [AP]
A federal lawsuit contends that a Florida sheriff is violating people’s rights through an intelligence-based policing program that improperly targets and harasses them. The sheriff rejects those claims. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Tampa federal court claims the Pasco Sheriff’s Office “punishes people for crimes they have not committed and may never commit” — a practice dubbed predictive policing.

› Brightline reveals cost details and route choices for Disney service in 5 years [Orlando Sentinel]
Brightline disclosed on Thursday its most detailed explanation so far on costs for a corridor between the airport and a Disney World station, preferring a $1 billion route piggybacking on Road 417 through Hunters Creek over a more than $2 billion route along State Road 528 to International Drive. Passenger service of nearly 17 miles from Orlando International Airport to a station at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs is slated to start in five years, said Brightline’s executive vice president of infrastructure development, Michael Cegelis.

› Florida House takes swing at stadium funding [CBS Miami]
A proposal is once again in play to eliminate an untouched pool of state money approved in 2014 to help build and renovate professional sports stadiums. The House Ways & Means Committee on Thursday voted 16-1 to approve a proposal (HB 6011) that would repeal the funding program, which spells out steps for state dollars to become available for stadium construction and renovation.

› Is biotech back in Palm Beach County? Company is closer to opening an incubator complex in Jupiter [Palm Beach Post]
Real estate is the shiny star of Palm Beach County's economy these days, but biotechnology is starting to percolate, too. After months of delays, Beacon Pharmaceutical Jupiter finally is moving forward with a plan to develop a $150 million biotech incubator and manufacturing center in the town. The facility would be built on nine acres of town-owned land, just west of Florida's Turnpike on Indiantown Road.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Will’s Pub lives on with new owner of Orlando landmark bar [Orlando Sentinel]
It’s been a rough year for the beloved Will’s Pub in Orlando’s Mills 50 District neighborhood. On top of last year’s mandatory shutdowns and a general fear of possible exposure to COVID-19 crippling business, the founder and creator of Will’s Pub, Will Walker, was concerned about the pub’s future location. Property owner Robert Cascio had put the 1,560-square-foot bar and event space at 1042 N. Mills Ave. up for sale. Even with about 10 years left in the lease, Walker worried a new owner may make tenant obligations more stringent or aim to redevelop the property once the contract expires.

› eTown preparing to expand west [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Developers of eTown in South Jacksonville are preparing to open up the west side of Florida 9B with almost 96 acres for office, commercial and multifamily projects. The city is reviewing civil engineering plans for infrastructure for the first phase of what is called Westland.

› NASA targets March 18 for redo of Artemis core stage hot fire test [Orlando Sentinel]
The hot fire test is back on. NASA announced it is targeting March 18 for the redo of the test to light up all four engines of the core stage that will be used on the Artemis I mission to the moon as soon as November this year. Currently installed on a test stand at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, NASA attempted a hot fire test on Jan. 16 that was supposed to last about eight minutes, simulating the actual flight that would happen when the Space Launch System carrying the Orion capsule launches from Kennedy Space Center. The test cut off though after 67.2 seconds.

› Zaha Hadid’s One Thousand Museum is caught in an $82.7M lawsuit over unsold units [Miami Herald]
The developers of the architect Zaha Hadid’s sinuous One Thousand Museum condo in downtown Miami are facing foreclosure for failing to pay $82.7 million in debt on unsold units — even though only 15 units remain. According to court filings, Motocomb Estates, LTD., an agent for British businessmen and brothers David and Simon Reuben, is seeking to take over the remaining developer-owned units from Biscayne Tower LLC and its principal investor, Gilberto Bomeny. The striking 62-story building has a total of 84 condos; prices for remaining units start at around $5 million.