March 29, 2024

Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/9/2020

Jobless claims hit 50 million nationwide as Florida layoffs decline

Fifty million claims. That’s the latest unemployment milestone surpassed by the American workforce during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday. In Florida, workers filed 67,070 new jobless claims — a 20.5 percent decrease from the week before, and the state’s lowest overall number since the pandemic began. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel.

Companies were planning on moving to South Florida. Then COVID hit

For a moment, South Florida was sitting pretty: Out-of-town real estate deal hunters were coming to the region seeking refuge from the coronavirus pandemic. As the MIAMI Association of Realtors put it in its May release, “The COVID-19 situation has accelerated the trend of home buyers from New York and cold weather and tax-burdened Northeastern states searching and purchasing homes in South Florida. Now, real estate experts say, Florida’s surging coronavirus outbreak has halted the trend in its tracks. More from the Miami Herald.

Florida indoor farming firm turns pandemic disruption into opportunity

A Florida company that grows lettuce in greenhouses turned a desperate situation during the coronavirus pandemic into new opportunities, thanks to a nationwide upswing in produce purchases from indoor farms. Orlando, Fla.-based Kalera had to give away an entire harvest in March when the company's commercial customers closed amid stay-at-home orders. But, like some other greenhouse operations around the country, Kalera found other customers and avoided layoffs or going out of business. More from UPI.

Report: See where Florida ranks in taxpayer ROI compared to other states

With tax day now a week away, Floridians should receive some of the best return on investment on their taxes. In a recent report from WalletHub, the Sunshine State ranked No. 2 for taxpayer ROI based on how said taxes go toward a few key areas. Those given areas were compiled into an all-encompassing government services rank, which along with taxes paid per capita decided the rankings. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Lawsuit filed targeting Republican National Convention in Jacksonville

Several residents and business owners in Jacksonville have filed a lawsuit to try and block the Republican National Convention in its current planned form from being held in the city. The lawsuit says plans for thousands of people at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena would be a nuisance that threatens area residents’ health, and seeks for it to become a smaller event with required masks and social distancing. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Florida Times-Union.

In Memoriam
Former Florida Governor Wayne Mixson

 Former Florida Gov. Wayne Mixson, whose three-day term was shortest in state history, died Wednesday. He was 98. Mixson took over the top spot on Jan. 3, 1987, when Gov. Bob Graham resigned early to be sworn into the U.S. Senate. Mixson died at his home in Tallahassee surrounded by his wife, Margie, and loved ones, according to a statement issued by his family.

» More from NBC Miami.

 

Business Profile
Fillr

floridaSarasota-based Fillr is a subscription service for car maintenance, from gas ups and car washes to oil changes and more. It’s a business built on convenience — Fillr technicians come to the customers wherever they are to deliver the services. Some customers choose to get a fill up on gas while their car is parked in their driveway at home. Others want a car wash while parked in their office parking lot.

» Read more from the Business Observer.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.