Florida’s initial unemployment claims drop sharply to new COVID-19 low
First-time unemployment claims in Florida took a steep drop to 45,723, a level not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic first stunned the state and national economies in March. Claims for the week ended Aug. 22 were off by 27,051, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. But nationally, the figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims remained over 1 million, ending the week at 1,006,000, a decrease of 98,000 from the previous week’s revised level. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.
Could legalizing recreational marijuana help solve Florida’s COVID-19 budget shortfall?
A bipartisan pair of state lawmakers have a long-shot green stimulus plan for Florida’s gaping pandemic budget hole — legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana. Pot enthusiasts shouldn’t get their hopes up too high, though. Such an idea hasn’t caught fire in the conservative Florida Legislature, and Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes the idea. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
DeSantis exceeded authority in appointing justice, Florida Supreme Court rules
In a stunning rebuke to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday said the governor exceeded his authority when he appointed Renatha Francis to the high court by selecting the Palm Beach judge to the post before she was technically eligible. But while the court invalidated the appointment in principle, it also formally did not change the outcome. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Palm Beach Post, and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida was social distancing less and less, until its summer coronavirus explosion
Floridians have hit a new plateau — in how much they’re going out. In March, society came to a halt when the outbreak of the new coronavirus forced businesses and schools to close and led people nationwide to stay at home. But, like most Americans, many people in Florida changed their patterns after about a month of lockdown. People in the state began leaving home more and more. We know about this behavioral change because private companies tracked the locations of cell phones. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Bar exam now scheduled online on Oct. 13
The Florida Bar exam that was rescheduled Aug. 26 by the state Supreme Court will be administered online Oct. 13. The July Bar exam was rescheduled to Aug. 19 and intended to be available online. However, “It was determined that administering a secure and reliable remote Bar examination in August was not technically feasible,” said the Florida Board of Bar Examiners in a statement released Aug. 16. [Source: Jax Daily Record]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida quietly publishes medical marijuana edibles rules
Wednesday night, four years after Florida voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana and one year after the Legislature allowed patients to smoke it, edible marijuana products were allowed to enter the market.
› A wave of COVID bankruptcies looms, and in Orlando, filings have already begun
Nationwide, experts predict a wave of pandemic-related bankruptcies. They just don’t know when it will hit. In Central Florida, where businesses rely on tourists to bolster sales and so many residents work in the low-wage industries that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, that bankruptcy wave could be even more severe.
› Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream, from Jaxson’s longtime ice cream maker, opens in Miramar
The 2,500-square-foot sugar shack opened last weekend with 48 ice-cream flavors made on premises — many exotic — along with homemade fruit toppings, whipped cream and fudge. Yes, the soft drinks — birch beer and soda floats — are also homemade. Next week, there will be 52 flavors. After that, at least one new rotating flavor per day.
› Miami business chamber launches Black business initiative
Miami-Dade’s largest business advocacy group is launching an initiative to boost access and opportunities for local Black-owned businesses. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday the creation of GMCC Unites, a program designed to increase Black membership and committee representation in the organization.
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› Florida primary results certified as general election looms
The Florida Elections Canvassing Commission on Thursday certified the results of the Aug. 18 primary elections, as the state looks toward the Nov. 3 general election. Statewide turnout for the primaries topped 28 percent, the highest primary-election turnout since 2002.
› Prestigious Edison Awards coming to Fort Myers in 2021
The Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation and City of Fort Myers are proud to announce a joint partnership to sponsor and host the highly-acclaimed international Edison Awards in the heart of Fort Myers over the next three seasons. Beginning April 21-23, 2021 and continuing through spring 2024, the Edison Awards will take place at the new Luminary Hotel and Co. and Caloosa Sound Convention Center in the downtown Fort Myers River District.
› Jaguars create executive position to push for social justice
The Jacksonville Jaguars have created an executive position to lead the organization’s social responsibility mission. The small-market franchise on Wednesday named T-Neisha Tate its vice president of social responsibility and impact. She is responsible for directing the team’s desire to emphasize respect and to inspire and unify players, staff and fans to make a positive, meaningful impact on the community.
› Allegiant Air adding Boston flights to Sarasota-Bradenton airport
Allegiant Air is adding new service between the Sarasota-Bradenton area and Boston, in the midst of a global pandemic that has caused airlines to make unprecedented cuts. Seasonal service to Boston Logan International Airport is scheduled to begin Nov. 19 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and it will run twice a week.