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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida is moving forward with reopening. Are we in for a second surge?
Florida has seen a general decline since a strong surge peaked in July, when hospitals experienced an influx of positive patients and deaths spiked. Over the summer, the state recorded hundreds of new fatalities every day for weeks. But public health experts fear that the latest reopening may spur yet another surge in infections and deaths. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
State closes on ‘once in a generation' land deal
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday announced closing on a long-sought 17,088-acre tract in Franklin and Wakulla counties that includes a restrictive easement for the U.S. Air Force. The $43 million deal with Ochlockonee Timberlands, a subsidiary of AgReserves, Inc., for the property was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on May 28. More from the News Service of Florida.
‘A bump in the road’: Cruise CEOs confident cruises will resume in U.S. in 2020
At the annual SeaTrade Cruise conference, held virtually this year, the leaders of Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises expressed optimism about the state of the industry. The executives said they anticipate a cruising comeback in the U.S. soon and again urged U.S. health authorities to give them an opportunity to prove cruising can be done safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. More from the Miami Herald.
Popular pumpkin farm faces $7.2 million foreclosure lawsuit
Hunsader Farms, a landmark Manatee County attraction known mostly for its popular fall pumpkin festival, faces a foreclosure lawsuit on a $7.23 million loan. The loan, court documents show, originated with Synovus Bank. It's since been sold to Portland, Ore.-based Red Hills Holdings, an equity firm that buys distressed assets. More from the Business Observer.
Pandemic sales boom may pave way for IPO by Winn-Dixie parent
Six years after withdrawing its original registration for an initial public offering, Southeastern Grocers is again considering an IPO. The Jacksonville-based parent of Winn-Dixie and three other supermarket chains last week filed a confidential registration statement for an IPO, without giving any details. It could be the COVID-19 pandemic that is paving the way to go public. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Education beyond high school for all is key to Florida's economic recovery
Sometimes a crisis will transform a mission that’s important into one that’s urgent, too. For some time, the data crunchers at the Florida College Access Network were reading tea leaves suggesting that Florida needed to boost the number of residents with a degree or credential after high school and close the opportunity gap that held back people of color. [Sponsored report]
Natural Resources
FWC puts hold on oyster harvesting decision
Looking to address additional concerns from area residents, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission delayed a vote Wednesday on finalizing a suspension of wild-oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay for five years. Commission Executive Director Eric Sutton said some people in the Northwest Florida area have had late concerns and “we'd like to take some more time to shore up our communication with those concerned.”
» More from the News Service of Florida.
Public Safety
Danger Road: Politicians leave Florida’s busiest highway unprotected
In South Florida, Interstate 95 is loathed and for good reason. It’s the deadliest highway in the state, a lawless ribbon of asphalt that police have largely ignored. Dangerous and drunken drivers can speed or tailgate for miles without ever encountering a state trooper. Legislators and a host of governors have long ignored the danger on I-95, while the state approved dedicated patrols for other highways, including Florida’s Turnpike and Alligator Alley on Interstate 75. Even the less deadly Interstate 4 in Central Florida got its own unit of troopers 16 years ago.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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