March 29, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/13/2020

Florida takes center stage in politics, sports as coronavirus cases soar

The usual glare of the national spotlight that shines on Florida during an election year will grow even more intense in the next two months, as the Sunshine State plays host to several major political and sports events with nationwide interest amid a surge in coronavirus cases. Gov. Ron DeSantis extended the state of emergency for the pandemic on Tuesday for another 60 days. In that time the NBA is scheduled to restart its season in Orlando; the Republican National Convention is slated to take place in Jacksonville; schools are supposed to open; a primary election will be held; and colleges will be back, perhaps with football on their campuses. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Tampa’s Straz Center lays off 34 employees, furloughs 32 more

A summer of lost entertainment continues to take its toll on a major Tampa Bay venue. The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts laid off 34 employees at the end of June, and put another 32 on furlough, according to venue leaders. The reductions follow 28 furloughs that took place in March, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. At least one more layoff will take place in July. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

South Florida’s self-storage market takes a hit despite new market drivers

Self-storage developers say the market is driven by five d’s: Death, disaster, dislocation, divorce and downsizing. Some of those factors, and others, are on overdrive since the pandemic. Still, South Florida developers continue to drop asking rents for their facilities. More from the Miami Herald.

Edward Waters College to become a university following budget windfall

Edward Waters College, the first historically Black college in Florida, is on its way to becoming a university. President A. Zachary Faison Jr., who declined interview requests, recently announced at a news conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis that the college has received much more in state funding than expected. The 2020-2021 state legislative budget allocated an additional $3.5 million to Edward Waters for a $6.4 million total. “This is truly transformative,” Faison said at the time. More from the Florida Times-Union.

After 11 minutes, Orange County closes CARES Act portal for COVID-19 financial aid

After 11 minutes, Orange County’s online portal closed after receiving thousands of submissions. The county began accepting applications Monday at 8 a.m. for a one-time $1,000 grant to assist residents affected by COVID-19, but only to the first 10,000 applicants. By 8:11 a.m. the online application was closed. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Out of the Box
Gainesville church hosts drive-up worship service

A chorus of car honks and “hallelujahs” shouted from behind steering wheels on Sunday showed that members at one Gainesville church wouldn’t let COVID-19 dampen their spirits at its first-ever drive-up worship service. Second Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 3205 NW 51st St., has been a fixture for community members for more than 100 years, said Senior Pastor Tony Hall. About 60 members usually fill the pews weekly, with ushers to guide them in and a full choir to bring the gospel to life.

» More from the Gainesville Sun.

 

Business Profile
Big Sea

floridaSometimes a crisis can be an ideal time to speed up strategic moves, not put them on hold. That’s the case for Big Sea, a St. Petersburg marketing firm that boasts a deep roster of clients that includes HSN, bowling alley chain Pin Chasers and nonprofit institutions like Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Stetson University College of Law.

» Read more from the Business Observer.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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