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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Unemployed in Florida get more relief from job searches during pandemic
As they struggle to line up unemployment benefits, laid-off and furloughed workers in Florida will continue to get a waiver from requirements that they look for work and report to the state. The agency processing thousands of jobless claims has extended a waiver from those requirements. It now continues through June 13. Applicants still must answer questions about their job searches in order for the state Department of Economic Opportunity to process their claims in the in the CONNECT application system operated by the state Department of Economic Opportunity, but it will not affect benefit payments, the agency says on its website. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida college to launch program offering training for ‘essential’ jobs
Last month, Tallahassee Community College President Jim Murdaugh told a body of elected officials the college wants input on what areas it needs to offer training in. The idea is to help residents, who suffered job losses during the COVID-19 shutdown, prepare for when the market reopens. On Monday, TCC’s Division of Workforce Development is taking the first step with the launch of its “Be Essential” campaign. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Some hotels around Miami-Dade have reopened. Few guests, but lots of precautions
After nearly three months of shuttering their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, Miami-Dade hotels were allowed to reopen Monday. While most hotels around the county remained closed, a handful of stalwarts — including the Intercontinental Downtown Miami, Loews South Beach and the Biltmore — began welcoming visitors again, along with a smattering of smaller venues. More from the Miami Herald.
Tampa’s Big Cat Rescue granted ownership of Joe Exotic’s zoo
Joe Exotic’s infamous private zoo will soon become the property of a Tampa tiger sanctuary. A federal judge in Oklahoma on Monday ruled the 16 acres containing the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park must be surrendered to Big Cat Rescue Corp. within 120 days. Several buildings where zoo employees live and a fleet of vehicles were included in the judgement. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
360 Orthopedics group appoints new CEO
Southwest Florida’s 360 Orthopedics has appointed a new chief executive officer. E.J. Ledesma was appointed CEO of the medical practice effective May 4. Ledesma has more than 20 years of experience in health care leadership, including management skills in operations, finance, business development and marketing. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Business Profile
With face coverings becoming a new normal, specialty mask store opens in Fort Lauderdale 
As South Florida continues to reopen, one must-have accessory for everyone is a mask. Now, one local businessman is capitalizing on this new mask mania. He is selling all kinds of face coverings, from your basic plain face mask to one that gives you six layers of protection. George Colony owns a medical supply company but opened the doors of Masks + More.
» More from WPLG.
Out of the Box
A drive-in rave hits Florida this weekend
Tampa DJ Blunts and Blondes was in quarantine, in the middle of a game of Call of Duty, when he got a FaceTime call from Carnage. The superstar trap DJ was planning an all-new type of concert event in Orlando — a drive-in EDM festival dubbed the Road Rave at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. It would be one of America’s first live, large-scale music events since the COVID-19 pandemic. And he wanted Blunts and Blondes on the bill.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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