Florida enters Phase 2 reopening today; Here’s what that means
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida would be moving to “Phase 2”of its reopening plans, the second of a three-step process, this week. With the reopening of bars, movie theaters and other venues, Phase 2 is a significant step toward normal life. But not everything is back to business as usual. Read more from the Tampa Bay Times, the Orlando Sentinel, and WJAX.
Florida sees highest daily case total, pushing state coronavirus infections past 60,000
Florida’s Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 1,419 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 60,183 confirmed cases. Thursday’s daily total of newly confirmed cases is the most the state has seen since Florida’s Department of Health began providing daily updates on the novel coronavirus in March. Previously, the highest daily total recorded since the pandemic began was April 17, when 1,413 cases were added, six fewer than Thursday’s daily total. More from the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, and WJXT.
Florida hopeful economy will boost with major theme parks reopening
Even if you never set foot in one of Florida’s major theme parks you’re still feeling the effects of whatever happens or doesn’t happen at them. Top industry consultants say theme parks reopening will be a welcome jolt to Florida’s economy. “The theme park industry is Florida’s economy because the theme parks are the driver to central Florida, and they allow the dispersion to the other cities in Florida” said Dennis Speigel, International Theme Park Services Inc. [Source: WTXL]
2020 hurricane forecast updated
Colorado State University increased the number of storms it expects to form this hurricane season as the chances for a late summer or fall La Niña increase. The seasonal forecast update, released Thursday, added three named storms for a total of 19, including nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. The increase in named storms reflects the already-formed tropical storms Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Fertilizer ordinances across Florida hope to curb nutrient pollution, stop algae blooms
Rainy season is underway in Southwest Florida and with it comes an effort from local governments to curb excess nutrients in the area’s waters. Lee and Collier counties, as well as the cities that lay within, have implemented fertilizer ordinances in hopes of curbing harmful algal blooms and reducing the nutrient pollution in storm water runoff. The need to reduce nutrients was highlighted in 2018 when Southwest Florida was hit by blue-green algae and red tide at the same time, devastating wildlife and the local economy. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Riverside restaurants see niche in Covid-19 recovery
Riverside has reopened and is ready to take your order. As the City of Miami adjusts to a new normal in the wake of Covid-19, the open-air culinary experience at 431-451 S Miami Ave. may be perfectly suited for public dining with lots of elbow room.
› MSC Cruises to base ship at Port Canaveral next spring, becoming fifth cruise line there
MSC Cruises announced Thursday that it will begin sailing out of Port Canaveral next spring, becoming the fifth major cruise line to have ships based at Brevard County's seaport. The Swiss-based cruise line said it will base the MSC Divina at Port Canaveral, the world's second-busiest cruise port, ranked by passenger volume. The ship will have offer a mix of three-, four- and seven-night cruises sailing from Port Canaveral on Sundays and Thursdays.
› Emerging agriculture enterprises in Florida set for growth
There is no shortage of commodities produced by Florida. There are literally hundreds. But, there’s always room for more, right? A new UF/IFAS grant program is set to provide ample backing in funds and know-how to further research and education of emerging agricultural enterprises in the state.
› Construction jobs plunge in Southwest Florida
Construction employment dropped by 7% in one month across Southwest Florida, one of the highest rates of job losses in a state hammered by the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. But some signs indicate that may be temporary, with one of the region’s major home builders saying sales have rebounded and surpassed pre-virus levels. Contractors in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties reported 2,200 fewer workers on their payrolls from March to April, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America.
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› All 570 Daytona racing greyhounds find new homes
The greyhounds are all gone. If that sounds ominous, it’s just the opposite. On March 20 the Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club suspended dog racing and immediately set about the task of finding 570 greyhounds new homes. Mission accomplished, according to Fred Guzman, who is president of the gambling facility.
› WJCT changing main radio station to news, talk programming
WJCT-FM, Jacksonville’s National Public Radio outlet, is changing its flagship 89.9 FM broadcast to an all-news and talk format starting July 13. The station’s music programs will move to 89.9 HD4, an HD radio station it launched in April, while WJCT’s analog broadcast adds more midday news reporting on local subjects and bolsters its selection of radio talk.
› Miami-Dade reopening gyms, fitness studios on June 8 after months of COVID-19 closures
Gyms and fitness studios across Miami-Dade may reopen June 8 after 12 weeks of closures ordered by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in March as an emergency measure against the spread of the coronavirus. Gimenez announced the reopening date in a Thursday morning press conference. “This wasn’t an easy one because there’s a lot of heavy breathing and sweating going on,” Gimenez said.
› Downtown Delray Beach art walk goes virtual
For those missing the allure of local art galleries and studios, the Downtown Delray Beach First Friday Art Walk is going virtual for people to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. At 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, a free virtual tour of local art will be offered at facebook.com/DelrayDDA/. Artwork will be displayed from galleries and studios in downtown Delray Beach to help continue the support of the community artists.