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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Medical Examiners no longer required to certify COVID-19 deaths in Florida
A rule change that came into effect last week means Florida's medical examiners are no longer required to certify COVID-19 deaths, instead physicians can do so directly to the Department of Health, bringing an end to what was an independent and detailed accounting of who had died from the pandemic in Florida. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida hopes for another season of high-quality fruit
Following a citrus season with a solid crop and improved quality, Florida growers are looking ahead as to what 2020’s season will be like. “It’s early so we’re still in the development and growing stages of the early season,” says GT Parris of Seald Sweet in Vero Beach, FL. “This is when we start to be able to see some of what we’re going to have on the trees and what kind of volume we’re looking at.” [Source: Fresh Plaza]
Florida counties agree to save digital ballot images if there’s a presidential recount
In a deal that would delay a legal battle until after November’s general election, voting officials in eight large counties have agreed to preserve records of digital ballot images in case they’re needed to confirm the results of the 2020 presidential race if there’s a recount. Elections supervisors in the eight counties have been fighting a lawsuit that contends that digital images generated when paper ballots are scanned into voting machines must be maintained as public records. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Commentary: Florida should be leading the way for blockchain and cryptocurrency revolutions
There is a financial technology (fintech) revolution happening, and it is time for Florida to lead. One exciting aspect of this revolution has been the introduction of blockchain technologies and the growing use of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are peer-to-peer electronic cash payment systems that allow users to avoid the sometimes cumbersome process associated with traditional banks. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida’s hospitality industry cautions against minimum wage hike during pandemic
Florida restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality industry continue to suffer due to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 2,000 restaurants have closed their doors, and industry groups fear even more could be at risk if Floridians approve a minimum wage hike in November. An opposition campaign to Amendment 2 is already underway. [Source: WJXT]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› $1 million bequest will boost birding in Florida's State Parks
The Florida State Parks Foundation has received a $1 million bequest from a former Indialantic resident who was both a passionate birder and long-term Florida State Park volunteer. Bonnie Lizer who died last year generously left one-quarter of her estate to the Foundation, said Foundation President Gil Ziffer. “In order to ensure that Bonnie’s name and generosity are remembered, a special birding program – the Bonnie Lizer Endowment - has been established in her memory,” he said.
› Disease-carrying mosquitoes surface in South Florida. Health officials urge West Nile precautions.
There’s now one more virus South Floridians should be vigilant to avoid: Mosquitoes have been biting people across the region, infecting them with the West Nile virus. About 80% of people infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic, but those who do get ill with West Nile fever often experience headaches, fever, pain and fatigue, the Florida Department of Health warns. Fewer than 1% of people who contract the virus grow seriously ill.
› Lawsuit settlement document shows JEA tried to become part-owner of Plant Vogtle in 2019
Before JEA lost a lawsuit in June that tried to void its contract for purchasing electricity from Plant Vogtle, the utility wanted to settle the suit in 2019 by buying an ownership stake in the Georgia nuclear plant for $1.9 billion, according to a draft document that outlined terms of the utility's strategy for settlement talks.
› Miami postal workers union chief: Yes, your mail is being delayed. Here’s why
Mail delivery has indeed slowed down in the Miami area — along with many other parts of the country —since the start of the summer. The Washington Post reported Monday that internal Postal Service data showed on-time mail rates abruptly fell starting in late June.
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