Florida businesses could get break on workers’ comp insurance
For Florida businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s a bit of good news: Workers’ compensation insurance costs could go down in 2021. State insurance regulators have received a rate filing that would reduce premiums next year in the workers’ compensation system by an average of 5.7%, which would be the fourth straight year of premium decreases, according to information released Tuesday. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida dumps Quest lab for huge backlog of COVID-19 test results
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Health to no longer work with Quest Diagnostics after the lab violated state law and failed to report nearly 75,000 coronavirus tests that date back to April in a timely manner, according to the Department of Health. Despite the backlog, all individuals who were tested were notified about their results, according to the department of health. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Gov. Ron DeSantis reopens nursing homes, assisted living facilities to visitors
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he is ordering the reopening of long-term care facilities to visitors after nearly six months of lockdown, saying the closure was necessary to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus to a most-vulnerable population but caused “a lot of pain for a lot of families.” The order still comes with a long set of rules, including that facilities allowing visitors must have no new onset of COVID-19 cases for 14 days and that visits take place by appointment only. No visitors under age 18 will be allowed, at least initially. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Soaring pet product sales spur job growth in South Florida
Since the pandemic hit, animal shelters across the country have reported a spike in the number of pet adoptions. That trend is also creating more jobs in South Florida's pet industry. Online pet supply retailer, Chewy, is based in Broward County and also showing substantial growth this year. [Source: WPTV]
Tropical Storm Nana forms south of Jamaica
Tropical Storm Nana has formed south of Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center has announced. The storm is packing winds of 50 mph and was last reported to be traveling west at 18 mph. Nana is the earliest 14th named storm on record, beating Nate, which formed on Sept. 6 in 2005. That’s according to Colorado State University professor Phil Klotzbach. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry's proposed budget clears review
Mayor Lenny Curry's proposed budget, which will keep Jacksonville property tax rates flat and modestly increase spending on capital improvements despite looming economic uncertainty, will soon be adopted after passing a review from a Jacksonville City Council panel.
› Miami firm files $1 billion bias suit against McDonald’s on behalf of former Black franchisees
A Miami-based law firm filed a billion-dollar lawsuit on behalf of more than 50 Black former franchise owners of McDonald’s restaurants Tuesday, alleging the fast food giant denied them the same opportunities as white franchisees.
› Florida not required to treat prisoners with costly medication for hepatitis C, court rules
A split federal appeals court sided with the Florida Department of Corrections on Monday in a drawn-out legal battle over whether the state is providing proper treatment to prisoners with hepatitis C. The class-action lawsuit centers on the use of an expensive type of medication known as “direct acting anti-virals” to treat the contagious liver disease, which can be fatal.
› A food bank gives groceries to furloughed Disney workers. The car line stretches for 2 miles.
At 4 a.m., the first furloughed workers arrive to stake out their spots for free groceries. They wait for 4 1/2 hours in their cars, their masked faces lit up by their cell phones in the darkness. If they show up late, the food — frozen chicken, fresh tomatoes and gallons of milk — might run out.
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› Doctor Phillips area Sprouts to open in November
A Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store is slated to open on Turkey Lake Road in the Doctor Phillips neighborhood on Nov. 18. The 26,000-square-foot store will be at 7603 Turkey Lake Road and employ about 110 full- and part-time workers. Sprouts stores feature open layouts with “fresh produce at the heart of the store,” a news release said. The chain has locations in Oviedo and Winter Park.
› VyStar Credit Union's Jacksonville breezeway to open in mid-2021
VyStar Credit Union anticipates opening the breezeway project at its Downtown headquarters by next year this time. “Construction should start in the 4th quarter 2020 with a tentative completion timeframe of mid-2021,” said Sandy Baker, vice president of communications and public relations, by email Aug. 31. The city has been reviewing plans and work is underway to prepare for construction.
› Rapidly growing insurance company welcomes new COO
AmeriLife Group LLC, a marketer and distributor of life and health insurance, as well as retirement solutions, named Tim Calvert COO. Calver, according to a press release, comes to Clearwater-based AmeriLife from Boston Consulting Group, where he served as managing director and partner and led the firm’s global life Insurance sector.
› Florida chef scores sweet victory on Food Network's 'Chopped'
Local pastry chef Rebecca Reed packed her bags, carrying with her a lifetime of experiences and creative ideas, and flew to New York City to compete on the prestigious Food Network show, "Chopped: Sweets" back in March. Months later, a national television audience — comprised of foodies, friends and locals — learned this week that Reed was crowned "Chopped: Sweets" champion.