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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s weekly unemployment claims slide to 173,731
Florida’s unemployment claims declined to 173,731 for the week ended May 23 in a sign that the pace of layoffs is easing as the state struggles to reopen its economy during the coronavirus pandemic. Claims filed by newly laid off and furloughed workers dropped by 51,673 from 225,404 in the week ended May 16. Nationally, the number of claims also fell to 2.1 million, a decline of 323,000 from the previous week, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida’s health care industry reboot has been slow going
Florida’s medical providers are ramping back up after nearly two months of only offering essential services to keep space and supplies available for treating coronavirus patients. But while elective procedures are OK again, industry groups are advising hospitals, doctors offices, dentists and other medical providers to proceed cautiously and keep patient and provider safety at the forefront, even as they emphasize that health care facilities are safe. Health care is a key component of Florida’s economy and quality of life, and the clamor to restore elective procedures has emphasized both. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Hurricane hunters’ trips through eye of the storm start from Central Florida airport
As Floridians prep to hunker down for the start of hurricane season, a dedicated crew gear up for the impending airborne hunt. About an hour south of Orlando is the Lakeland Linder International Airport, which is the home of three hurricane hunter aircraft. Two are Lockheed WP-3D Orions also known as “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy” and one of them is a Gulftstream IV-SP, also known as “Gonzo.” More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Bradenton company shifts from event technology to personal protection equipment
During the coronavirus pandemic, event wristband and pass company ID&C is shifting to enter the personal protection equipment business. After being unable to find a reliable local PPE supplier, ID&C began bringing in stock supply of three-ply and KN95 civilian masks to its warehouse in Bradenton. More from the Business Observer.
8 new Winn-Dixie grocery stores coming to Florida
In total, eight Lucky’s Market and Earth Fare locations are under contract to become Winn-Dixie supermarkets, according to a statement Wednesday from Southeastern Grocers Inc., Winn-Dixie’s parent company. That includes Lucky’s Market stores in Fort Myers, Gainesville, Lake Mary and Melbourne, and Earth Market stores in Boynton Beach, Jacksonville, Lakewood Ranch and Viera. All the Lucky’s and Earth Fare stores in Florida closed earlier this year. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Florida Times-Union.
Legal Trends
Audio glitches, lousy WiFi, shirtless guests: Miami Zoom court expands despite limitations
Zoom criminal court is entering its third month in Miami, and the gaffes are amusing enough: dogs barking, a shirtless man appearing in a mirror behind a witness, a woman obliviously applying her eyelashes in a bathroom. But for the lawyers, the limitations of holding online court are no laughing matter. With only a handful of courtrooms set up for Zoom, calendars can be frustratingly long, and hearings move tediously as lawyers navigate microphones, camera placement and virtual “breakout rooms.”
» More from the Miami Herald.
Transportation
headline
Brightline is in talks with Miami-Dade to build five train platforms between Miami and Aventura and launch a $425 million commuter-rail system as the for-profit rail company plans to launch express trains to Orlando in the coming years. The proposed deal revealed late Tuesday night would mean a significant influx of tax dollars to the company behind the new Virgin-branded train line, which shut down completely during the coronavirus crisis.
» Read more from the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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