March 29, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

Photo: Scott Keeler\Tampa Bay Times

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/3/2020

Florida Legislature may need special session to spend $12B in federal CARES Act money

Senate President Bill Galvano said economists believe Florida’s $3.9 billion in reserves, including $2 billion in cash, should help the state absorb additional costs and lost revenues from the COVID-19 crisis. Galvano told senators in an email, therefore, it is unlikely they will be called back to Tallahassee to reforge the budget they adopted two weeks ago. If legislators convene a special session, he said, it will be to allocate the $12 billion Florida expects to receive from the $2.2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. More from the Center Square.

Despite shift to remote workforce, cybersecurity firm sees big gains

KnowBe4, a Clearwater company that specializes in online security training intended to fend off phishing attacks, experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2020, with year-over-year sales up by 40%, according to a press release. “Despite these trying times, KnowBe4 is well positioned to remain the market leader for security awareness training and simulated phishing,” KnowBe4 CEO Stu Sjouwerman said. More from the Business Observer.

Opinion: From robots to drones, agricultural innovation is rapidly changing

“Precision agriculture,” “artificial intelligence.” It sounds like content for a science fiction movie or TV show. But we’re not talking about “The Avengers” or “Star Trek.” These scientific innovations present us with real-world applications for farms in Southwest Florida and globally. More from the Fort Myers News-Press.

Arrests plunge in Palm Beach County since national emergency declared

As the number of new cases of coronavirus grow in Palm Beach County by the hour, the number of arrests made by law-enforcement agencies dwindle. A Palm Beach Post analysis of arrests during March 13 through March 31, the 19 days after the virus was declared a national emergency, showed a 35 percent drop in Palm Beach County jail bookings as compared to the same period last year. More from the Palm Beach Post.

Jacksonville company’s behind-the-scenes work makes online shopping easier

A good picture makes the all-important first impression for online shoppers. For PVS Studios off Baymeadows Road, that perfect shot is everything. PVS Studios takes high-quality pictures of products. Those images are what shoppers see online in hopes of getting them to click and add to their carts. Chief Operating Officer Michael Baumgaertner said that because the business helps enable online shopping and helps limit social interaction, it is considered an essential business. More from WJXT.

Florida Dining
Online cooking classes that will take your coronavirus quarantine meals to the next level

 One of the best things to do while you’re spending more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic is learn a new skill or two. Famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Antoni Porowski and Tyler Florence have classes, social media demonstrations, YouTube channels and more to teach you how to cook.

» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

 

Business Profile
Reem Photography

floridaA Florida couple who owns a photography business got creative and turned to technology when coronavirus threatened their business. Across the country, people are seeing all things virtual; meetings, parties, dance classes, you name it. With social distancing orders forcing some businesses to close down, many business owners are getting creative. That was the case for Kareem and Sandy Virgo.

» Read more from WFLA.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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