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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Tourism businesses losing millions as coronavirus fears bring travel to a halt
A tourism slump would hit doubly hard in Florida, whose economy leans heavily on the industry. If tourism businesses begin to lay off workers en masse, that will mean more people turning for help from a state government whose own revenues depend on visitor spending. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also:
» As coronavirus spreads, Florida is buying way more guns than normal
» ‘This is apocalypse now’: Miami bars and restaurants brace for closure impacts
» CEO: Florida-based Silver Airways ‘in dire need’ of federal aid to survive
» Florida coronavirus update for Tuesday: Five deaths as state tracks 160 cases
Florida’s presidential primary still set for Tuesday as Ohio Gov. orders postponement amid coronavirus worries
After months of campaigning and canvassing and preparation, Florida is finally set to hold its presidential primary on Tuesday. But instead of the battle between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, the last two Democrats left running for president, the biggest question going into Election Day was whether it should be held at all amid the coronavirus outbreak. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.
LGBT philanthropists honored for work they do in South Florida
Making a difference in South Florida’s LGBT community takes time, talent and resources. Four leaders who have made it their missions to inspire and help were recognized recently at the Second Annual South Florida LGBT Philanthropy Awards hosted by Our Fund Foundation and Bank of America Private Bank. [Source: Miami Herald]
Proposed amendment would allow shorter red snapper season
For years, a three-day red snapper fishing season wasn’t a possibility in East Central Florida. But “Amendment 33,” approved in December by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, might change that. The amendment proposes removal of the minimum amount of days for a recreational fishing season and modifies the red snapper commercial season. Experts believe the amendment will likely go into effect this year. [Source: St. Augustine Record]
A South Florida casino is shutting down for two weeks for the coronavirus pandemic
Calder Casino has suspended gaming operations until March 30, “in light of the recent increase in confirmed cases of the [novel coronavirus] in Broward and Miami-Dade counties,” the casino announced Monday afternoon. As of the last released figures, there are 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Miami-Dade and 36 confirmed cases in Broward. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Developer of blocked low-income tower sues Fort Lauderdale
A 15-story apartment tower planned for downtown would have become home to the region’s lowest-income residents. But last fall, city officials blocked the project from moving forward on grounds it was not allowed. Now, the developer has filed lawsuits in both federal and state courts accusing Fort Lauderdale of “explicitly discriminatory” policies and practices.
› Little deer creates big uproar on the Florida Keys
On one of the islands of the Florida Keys, there’s a small animal that’s causing a big stir. The Key Deer. It’s a little known species of deer that’s native to the island chain. The animal is very small compared to its cousins on the mainland. For more than 50 years, the baby Bambi has been a member of the endangered species act. But they could be removed from the list.
› Some SeaWorld part-time workers won’t get paid during coronavirus shutdown; others get hours cut
As the theme park capital of the world is closed for business Monday, at least some of SeaWorld’s part-time workers — the brunt of its workforce — won’t be getting paid while full-time employees will see their hours cut by 20%, according to company memos.
› All Hillsborough County filming halted. Michael Keaton and Hallmark had spring dates.
Citing coronavirus, the health of cast and crew and a lack of safe places for filming, the Hillsborough County Film Commission has stopped issuing permits to productions seeking to shoot on public property. Those filming on private property don’t require county permits.
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