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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
222,000 people filed jobless claims in Florida last week as total approaches 2 million
New jobless claims in Florida last week climbed by 47,045 to 221,905, as the state approached the grim milestone of two million claims submitted since the coronavirus crisis began. Florida’s weekly claims figure has seen heavy volatility, most likely because Florida’s unemployment system has been plagued by dysfunction. The labor department’s figure lags Florida’s official jobless count, which as of May 12 has seen a total of 1.4 million unemployment unique filers since the crisis began. More from the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
See also:
» 2.9 million more seek unemployment assistance. Could unemployment hit 25 percent?
Attorneys threaten coronavirus lawsuits against Florida nursing homes
Legal behemoth Morgan & Morgan plans to sue two Florida nursing homes over their alleged mishandling of COVID-19 outbreaks, attorneys for the firm said Thursday. The firm has been retained by families whose loved ones died after coronavirus infections at the facilities where they had been patients, including three families at Opis Coquina Center in Ormond Beach and an undisclosed number at Suwannee Health and Rehabilitation Center in Live Oak, near the Georgia border. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ULA plans to launch experimental spaceplane for U.S. Space Force from Florida on Saturday
An experimental spaceplane about one fourth the size of the space shuttle will launch from Cape Canaveral on Saturday on a mission for the United States Space Force. It’s been three years since the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a spaceplane designed by Boeing to fly to low-Earth orbit, has launched from the Space Coast. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Publix extends hours, cuts reserved time as businesses reopen
As South Florida maps out plans for a phased reopening after coronavirus closures, Publix has announced it will extend its hours and eliminate reserved shopping time for seniors and first responders. The new hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, beginning Saturday. That’s an hour earlier and an hour later than the current hours. The pharmacy will return to regular operating hours. More from the Miami Herald and WJXT.
UF could host NFL games this season
Football could be played in the the Swamp this fall, but not necessarily just by the Florida Gators. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis invited the NFL and other professional sports leagues to play in the Sunshine State if the coronavirus pandemic does not allow them to operate in their home locations. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› DeSantis gives green light for Miami-Dade and Broward to reopen businesses Monday
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed off on plans for Miami-Dade and Broward counties to reopen restaurants and other businesses deemed non-essential, the governor announced Thursday at a press conference in Doral. “Miami-Dade and Broward have both submitted plans that I’ve approved,” DeSantis said. “Today we take another important step for a very important part of the state of Florida.”
› Sarasota investment firm acquires jewelry company
Latitude 27 Capital LLC, a private investment firm that supports small and middle market companies, has acquired the assets of JK Jewelry Inc. JK Jewelry Inc., which does business as JK Findings, is a 45-year-old global designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of jewelry components, also known as findings. John Kaupp, founder and CEO of JK Findings, will retire as CEO and remain as an equity investor and board member in the newly formed JK Acquisition LLC.
› Applications open for small-business relief in Gainesville
Applications are now open for small-business relief from GNVCares. The application period began Thursday at 9 a.m. and will remain open for seven days. Applicants must meet a list of qualifications in order to be eligible for relief.
› Builders in Volusia-Flagler hammer away despite pandemic
Driving past many construction sites in Volusia and Flager counties, one might never guess a coronavirus pandemic has brutalized the area’s economy. From the future 11-story headquarters for Brown & Brown Insurance going up on North Beach Street to new homes taking shape at Latitude Margaritaville, Mosaic and other communities, construction activity remains brisk. But not everything is “normal.”
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