Photo: Octavio Jones \ Tampa Bay Times
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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida to unveil reopening plan as data shows painful contraction of U.S. economy
In Florida, the largest state so far to contemplate re-opening, DeSantis is expected to announce a “phase one” loosening of restrictions a day after it reported a record-high 83 deaths and more than 700 new infections from the previous 24 hours on Tuesday. Despite being spared the worst of the pandemic, the state has so far tallied 32,846 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, including 1,171 deaths. More from Reuters.
SeaWorld seeks federal loan while paying little in U.S. income taxes
Losing $25 million a month while its amusement parks sit closed and empty, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. hopes a loan from the federal government could help the company get through the coronavirus crisis. SeaWorld wants help from federal taxpayers though it pays little federal income taxes itself. Over the past 10 years, records show the company has earned nearly $193 million in pretax profits. But it has paid less than $8 million in total income taxes, according to an Orlando Sentinel review of SeaWorld’s financial statements. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
SEC alleges South Florida firm misled investors over coronavirus mask sales
As the coronavirus spread through the United States, a South Florida company announced it had N95 masks to sell to help defend against the pandemic. But the company, Praxsyn Corp. of West Palm Beach, retracted its statements when it became apparent it had none to sell. And now, Praxsyn is in trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Plans for Metrorail line headed north may be going south
At least one prominent Miami-Dade official is having second thoughts about pursuing a northern Metrorail extension, citing figures from a new report that favor two cheaper, easier alternatives. County Commission Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson said she saw “nothing but issues” with building new Metrorail, which transportation decision-makers here chose last year to serve a 9.5-mile stretch along Northwest 27th Avenue to the Broward County line. More from Miami Today.
Seminole commissioners reject trading away county wilderness area to settle lawsuit
Seminole commissioners this week rejected a settlement offer by developer Chris Dorworth in his lawsuit against the county that would’ve traded away a publicly-owned wilderness area for a larger tract of land just east of the Econlockhatchee River, the site of his controversial River Cross development proposal. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
CVS, UPS to start drone prescription deliveries to Florida retirement community
Early next month, CVS will start using UPS drones to deliver prescriptions in Florida’s largest retirement community. The Villages, about an hour northwest of Orlando in central Florida, is home to about 135,000 people, many of them considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
» More from WABI.
Business Profile
Cruise Car
A representative for a famous actor recently walked into Cruise Car — a Sarasota-based company that builds customized, low-speed vehicles for a wide array of clients — and was interested in making a purchase. It seems the actor is building a resort in the Caicos Islands and was looking to buy some of the vehicles so guests can be transported in style from their villas. The actor? Robert De Niro. Since taking over the company in 2017, Adam Sulimirksi — CEO and partner — and Nathan Kalin — president and partner — have turned it into perhaps the most successful business of its kind in the country.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
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