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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Patients in Florida had coronavirus symptoms as early as January
The novel coronavirus infected as many as 171 people in Florida as long as two months before officials announced it had come to the state, a Palm Beach Post analysis of state records shows. Patients reported symptoms of the deadly virus as early as Jan. 1, when the disease was thought to be limited to China, Department of Health records reveal. The state pulled the records off its website late Monday without explanation. More from the Palm Beach Post and USA Today.
Florida's trucking industry takes a hit
The trucking industry in Florida has taken a toll from COVID-19, at a time when demand for consumer goods has dropped. In April, average demand went down by more than 10 percent from early February, according to the Florida Trucking Association (FTA). Activity had spiked the week of March 8 from increased demand for food and paper products, when many people were buying in bulk. More from Spectrum News 13.
Florida jury trials suspended until July but other court proceedings increasingly online
Jury trials have been pushed off again, and now won’t resume before July, the Florida Supreme Court said Monday as the chief justice issued a new order to conduct more judicial business by remote technology. Chief Justice Charles Canady extended the current suspension of jury trials in Florida until July 2, and pushes back legal deadlines until July 6, the Monday after the Independence Day weekend holiday. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings filing raises flag it could face bankruptcy
The filing from the Miami-based company’s independent registered public accounting firm states the company expects it will need additional financing to satisfy outstanding debt, and without funds coming in from its three cruise line brands - Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas - it will not have enough liquidity to satisfy its financial obligations in the next 12 months. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
85,000 voters could be removed from Florida rolls
A top Florida elections official testified in federal court on Monday that as many as 85,000 voters might be ineligible to cast ballots in the battleground state, but it could take years for the state to figure out who should be removed from the voting rolls. A potential purge of voters in Florida, which has more than 13.7 million registered voters, could have out-sized impact, because many elections are won or lost on narrow margins. More from Politico.
See also:
» Q&A: Florida’s voting rights lawsuit could tilt 2020 presidential election
End of an Era
Cleatus, Florida Aquarium’s first goliath grouper, has died. He was (maybe) 30.
Cleatus the goliath grouper was there 25 years ago when the Florida Aquarium first opened its doors in 1995. Now one of the aquarium’s first residents has died. He was 30 — or so. That’s his estimated age. His death was announced by the Florida Aquarium on Monday evening. He died “after succumbing to a prolonged illness,” said a statement from the aquarium. But officials did not say exactly when Cleatus died.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Profile
Lucas Lagoons
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a personal pool custom made from your own extravagant dreams, Lucas Lagoons can make that a reality. Known for their hit building show Insane Pools: Off the Deep End, this Florida-based company is not your standard pool builder. From waterfalls to waterslides, they push the boundaries of pool design, leaving you with anything but a standard product.
» Read more from Narcity.
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