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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Tampa area bank posts best quarterly gain in deposits since 2004
In most metrics, the first quarter at First Citrus Bancorporation, parent company of Tampa-based First Citrus Bank, was strong, with growth in assets, loans and deposits, among other data points. The one negative: profits in the quarter were down 21%, bank officials say in a statement, attributing it “largely due to personnel additions on the business and retail banking roster.”
› Florida Bar Launches Confidential Lawyer Helpline Early Amid COVID-19 Pressures
The Florida Bar had planned to launch its new confidential attorney helpline in July. But in the shadow of COVID-19, now seemed as good a time as any. Beginning Friday, attorneys will be able to connect confidentially with professional counselors, who will help them deal with family and medical woes, work pressure, substance abuse and other issues. The service will be free for all bar members and open 24/7.
› Lynx buses run with no fares, fewer riders as leaders map out future
Recovery from the Lynx bus system’s coronavirus implosion will be gradual and uncertain, the agency’s leaders say as they look optimistically toward the future. “We remain on solid financial ground,” said Lynx director Jim Harrison, citing his agency’s cash reserves, availability of tens of millions of federal relief dollars and an appraisal of financial bleeding as painful but not ruinous.
› Sarasota’s Harvey Milk Festival to hold virtual event
One of the many Sarasota-Manatee gatherings postponed due to coronavirus was Harvey Milk Festival, the annual LGBTQ celebration that was set to take place starting Friday, concluding with a free daylong concert in downtown Sarasota’s J.D. Hamel Park. Yet the show will go on through a virtual event, which will take place on the same dates of Friday and May 7-9. The virtual version will also conclude with music, featuring both previously recorded performances and ones specifically recorded for the event by national and Florida musicians.
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