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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s coronavirus cases shot up again. So now deaths have, too.
More and more people are dying from COVID-19 in Florida, again, just as expected. In the fall, new coronavirus cases started rebounding in the state. By mid-October, rising cases led to more people in Florida’s hospitals. Rises in people testing positive, ending up in the hospital, and now dying: the natural progression of the outbreak is the same pattern that played out this summer. As of yet, there are no signs of the trend changing course. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Obamacare enrollment at all-time high in Florida
Despite the fact that Floridians turned out in droves to help President Donald Trump and Republicans sweep the Nov. 3 elections, Obamacare enrollment in the state is at an all-time high. With just under a week to go before this year's open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act ends on Dec. 15, sign-ups in Florida are already up 32% over last year with nearly a million more individuals registering. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Commentary: Film industry high-wage jobs produce economic diversity
As the Florida Legislature looks at stimulating the creation of high-wage jobs, lawmakers should explore ways to grow Florida’s film and entertainment industry. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, in 2019 the average annual wage for a film and entertainment industry professional in Florida was $84,205 exceeding the state’s average annual wage for all industries by 62.7%. Our industry produces high-wage jobs, the type of jobs we believe have a positive impact on our state. [Source: Florida Weekly]
Race to save 3 Florida treasures: Time running out for Apalachicola River, Ocklawaha River and Shark River Slough
As world-renowned gems and epitomizing the natural landscapes of their Florida regions, the Apalachicola, Ocklawaha and Shark River Slough have been plundered of their natural abilities for the sake of shipping, farming and real estate. Their waters no longer are healthy, flowing freely or generous. Florida’s environment is rife with victims and none are more tragic or contested than the two rivers and slough. Storied efforts to reverse their injuries have been piecemeal-to-paltry, or dead in the water. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
La Niña portends dry winter, fiery spring for Florida
Florida is on pace for the warmest year on record, climatologists say, and La Niña's cooler Pacific Ocean waters near the equator foretell a warmer, drier winter and fierce fiery spring. "It continues a trend of increasing temperatures here in the state over the five past years," David Zierden, state climatologist at Florida State University's Florida Climate Center, said of La Niña. "The silver lining is most of the state was much above normal for rainfall this summer and through the fall, with these tropical systems." [Source: Florida Today]
National heart leader | moving health forward
Susan, who had a valve replacement, knows not all heart surgery is equal. She trusts Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute, a Florida leader in heart surgery that consistently ranks among the elite programs in the United States and Canada. For more than 10 years, Memorial has achieved high ratings for patient care and clinical outcomes from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in healthcare. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Insurtech firm surpasses $100M in annual recurring revenue
TypTap Insurance Co., an insurance startup owned by HCI Group Inc., has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Founded in 2016 by Paresh Patel, HCI Group’s chairman, CEO and managing shareholder, TypTap uses data analytics — provided by Exzeo USA, another HCI Group subsidiary — to make quick and smart underwriting decisions and reduce risks. The majority of its homeowner and flood insurance policies, according to a press release, are sold via a network of independent insurance agents.
› Rays shifting minor-league affiliate from Port Charlotte to Charleston
The Rays are shifting a minor-league affiliate from Port Charlotte to Charleston, S.C., as part of Major League Baseball’s reorganization and consolidation of the minor leagues. Under the new setup, with the invites announced this afternoon, the Charleston team will become the Rays’ Class A team, with their Bowling Green, Ky., affiliate moving up to advanced Class A status. The Rays will maintain their Triple-A affiliate in Durham, N.C., and Double-A affiliate in Montgomery, Ala.
› Miami Beach attorney named interim city manager, first openly gay city executive
Hailed as a “trusted adviser” to the Miami Beach Commission, City Attorney Raul Aguila was appointed interim city manager Wednesday. Aguila, 58, will run the city government for the next several months while the city hunts for candidates to replace the outgoing Jimmy Morales, who will leave his job Friday to work in the administration of newly elected Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
› Live music making tentative return to Jacksonville this week
Welcome to live music in the COVID-19 era. Small crowds, socially distanced seating, mandatory masks, temperature checks at the door, no-contact concession lines and drinks in your seat are the new norm as promoters and venues struggle to find a way to put on concerts without endangering anyone.
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