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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
New weekly unemployment claims in Florida touch post-pandemic low
About 110,520 new unemployment claims were filed in Florida last week—a sign that the ranks of newly jobless may be leveling off. The new data point for the week ending June 6 was down from the 207,707 who filed in the week prior. It’s the lowest figure registered since March 26, when the coronavirus pandemic was just taking off. At the same time, the number of Floridians who continue to file for unemployment after making an initial claim surged by more than 300,000, to 936,548. More from the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Credit union picks up a $200K tab for Tampa Bay area businesses
Many Gulf Coast banks and credit unions have deferred credit card, loan and mortgage payments for individuals and companies harmed financially by the COVID-19 crisis. Grow Financial Federal Credit Union aims to go even further — donating $200,000 to Tampa Bay area small businesses over the summer. The Tampa-based credit union’s “Grow On Us” campaign, conceived by Tampa-based ad agency Dunn & Co., creates open “tabs” customers can use to obtain a wide range of free products and services, ranging from coffee and flowers to yoga and barbecue food. More from the Business Observer.
Florida to start disbursing CARES Act Funds to smaller local counties
The State of Florida is expected to disburse up to $1.275 billion in CARES Act funds to what has been deemed smaller county governments. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act is legislation intended to address economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the federal funds will be distributed to counties that have a population below 500,000 people. More from Click Orlando.
Gov. DeSantis makes ‘very, very unusual’ appeal of order allowing ex-felons to vote
Arguing that the case is of “exceptional importance,” lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis have made a rare move of asking a full appellate court to consider a challenge to a voting-rights ruling that would pave the way for hundreds of thousands of felons to cast ballots in the November elections. Appeals in federal lawsuits are almost always initially heard by three-judge panels, whose decisions can be revisited later by the full court in what are known as “en banc” hearings. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Gainesville Sun.
Miami museums plot strategy to again admit visitors
The wait might be over real soon for artists and the Miami art community as museums start to plan out strategies and present new art exhibits with welcome back celebratory events. Art and science museums have used the shutdown wisely to reinvent ways to attract visitors back, get them excited for what’s to come and at the same time, make sure everyone is kept safe. More from Miami Today.
End of an Era
Iconic Wagon Wheel Flea Market closes after five decades in Pinellas Park
After nearly 55 years, the Wagon Wheel Flea Market will close down for good. Or rather, it will not reopen. The Wagon Wheel, one of the biggest, oldest flea markets in Florida, shut down on March 15 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The owners had hoped to reopen in March, then April and May. But on Wednesday they announced on Facebook that they are closing down permanently.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment
The show won’t go on: Most Central Florida movie theaters aren’t open for lack of new films
Despite having permission to open back up in Florida, the curtain has yet to rise at many movie theaters in the state and across the nation. Cinema companies such as AMC are targeting July debuts as they hope potential blockbusters like Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” or Disney’s “Mulan” can bring back customers who have grown used to streaming movies at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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