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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida is on the verge of a COVID-19 resurgence
Florida’s rising number of COVID-19 cases could be the leading edge of a dangerous spike that could continue for months as the state remains wide open for business, tourism and education, public health experts warn. A decline of cases since the summer surge is over, four weeks into the state’s Phase 3 reopening of bars and restaurants at full service, state and national data indicates. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
2020 hurricane season sets record with formation of Tropical Storm Zeta south of Cuba
Tropical Depression No. 28 became Tropical Storm Zeta early Sunday morning, as predicted, making the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season the fastest to get to 27 named storms. The 2005 season got to 27 named storms, requiring Greek alphabet usage, but 2005’s Tropical Storm Zeta didn’t get its name until December. More from the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.
Small business owners questioning when the next round of stimulus will come to Florida
Despite early problems, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) helped thousands of small businesses across the country survive the shutdown. While lawmakers continue to bicker over another round of stimulus, there is a bipartisan support for another round of the PPP funding—we just do not know when that will get here. Jovita Carranza, Head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, visited Martinizing Drycleaners in Jacksonville on Friday. The mom-and-pop owned business has been around for nearly two decades. [Source: WJAX]
Luxuries Floridians are spending big bucks on during the pandemic
If retail therapy was a remedy for the coronavirus, then some South Floridians might be close to a cure. Those with lots of disposable income have been going on a major spending spree for sports cars, fancy watches, country club memberships and home upgrades. Even as unemployment numbers rise, the stock market has been very good for others, and they are indulging. [Source: Port Charlotte Sun]
Why is Florida the only state requiring SAT/ACT for 2021 college admissions? A popular scholarship may be one reason
Florida’s popular Bright Futures Scholarship program could be behind a controversial decision that has left the state as the only one in the country insisting students sit for ACT or SAT tests during the pandemic in order to apply for admission to public universities. Ally Schneider, a member of the board that oversees Florida’s 12 public universities, said Board of Governors staff have told her the state is reluctant to waive SAT/ACT requirement this year because students who want to qualify for the scholarships must still submit scores. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fort Lauderdale Boat Show gives hope to bars and restaurants
In the fog of a pandemic and a stormy political season, the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is a much-anticipated beacon for local bars, restaurants and hotels, where reopenings, new menus and other fresh features have been synchronized to the Oct. 28 start of the five-day event.
› Southwest Florida cities closing gender pay gap, study shows
Southwest Florida is becoming a must-be place for working women. A business.org study shows Lee and Collier counties are among the best paying areas for women in the nation. In the Naples area, the median income for men is more than $43,000, but women aren’t too far behind, coming in at more than $39,000. This means women are earning around 90 cents on the dollar compared to men.
› A $41 billion investment firm is coming to South Florida
A prominent New York investment firm that manages approximately $41 billion in assets has plans to move its headquarters to South Florida. Elliott Management is relocating from midtown Manhattan to West Palm Beach, according to the Palm Beach County Business Development Board — making it the latest in a growing line of financial firms to move their headquarters from the Northeast or add offices to the South Florida region.
› Electric scooter and moped rentals are back in Miami and Coral Gables. There’s a new rule.
Scooters are back in Miami-Dade — thousands of them, in fact. Last month, Miami-Dade quietly lifted its pandemic-related order that had banned the rental of electric motorized vehicles. The city of Miami subsequently voted to revive its scooter pilot program Sept. 24.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
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