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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
May storms are getting more common. So should hurricane season start earlier?
The official start of hurricane season may get shifted into May in coming years, after several consecutive seasons produced storms prior to the current opening date of June 1. A low-pressure system near the Bahamas has been given a 70% chance of forming a subtropical storm or depression later this week. If it does, this would be the sixth year in a row to see a storm form before the official start date. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
TIAA offers buyouts to 75 percent of American workforce
TIAA, which in 2017 acquired Everbank Financial Corp. and its 1,624 Jacksonville-based employees, is offering buyouts to 75 percent of its American workforce. It’s unclear how many jobs in Jacksonville will be lost, as the company will not say how many workers it intends to let go or how the cuts will impact individual office locations. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Orlando convention center to host 30,000 people next month
The Orange County Convention Center is preparing to open back up next month with an expected gathering of 30,000 people for a national youth volleyball tournament with promises it will follow social distancing and other coronavirus safety protocols. The 47th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships will begin on June 16, the first event at the convention center since nearly 50 shows have canceled or postponed since early March as virus infections began climbing in Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Seminole Hard Rock’s Florida casinos could open late May or early June, chairman says
The operator of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa says his company is looking at re-opening its Florida casinos within a month. “Our business is actually in 76 countries around the world, so we’ve been dealing with this situation since January,” Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen said. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
PortMiami working to redrawn agreements with multi-billion impact
Two months after cruise lines ceased operations worldwide, the “Cruise Capital of the World” and its industry partners are in talks to redraw details in their long-term agreements to adjust to post-coronavirus expectations. How those talks will affect four massive terminal deals PortMiami struck with Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyage late last year remains to be seen, but port Director Juan Kuryla said Tuesday that all parties “continue to be optimistic.” More from Miami Today.
Entertainment
What’s happening with Sarasota area music venues?
As Sarasota area restaurants, beaches and retail all start to reopen, after closing to contain the spread of COVID-19, one aspect of normal life that largely remains quiet is live music. Yet some restaurants — currently allowed open for 25 percent indoor capacity and outdoor seating, with six-feet social distancing for each — that double as venues have started to host live music again and offer livestream concerts.
» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Out of the Box
With less traffic, the Ybor chickens are ruling the Seventh Avenue roost
Chickens famously find all sorts of reasons to cross the road, but most of the Ybor fowl have historically stayed away from Seventh Avenue due to its high volume of cars and people. Then came the shutdown of most Ybor businesses to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Seventh Avenue was suddenly chicken friendly and they made their way to the main thoroughfare.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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