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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Pandemic pain continues for economy as new jobless filings in Florida go up again
New filings for unemployment assistance in Florida increased for the second time in four weeks, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday — a sign that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic remains severe. For the week ending Dec. 5, new jobless claims climbed from 23,063 to 25,012. While new claims declined last week, economists said that was likely the result of a temporary bump in hiring sparked by the Thanksgiving holiday. New weekly claims filings have now been stuck at about 25,000 for a full month. More from the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel.
Jacksonville City Council moves to institute JEA charter changes
The Jacksonville City Council finalized broad changes Dec. 8 to JEA Article 21 in the city charter. The Council’s 19-0 vote approves rewrites to eight charter sections, adding protection from attempts to sell the city-owned utility and increasing transparency in the JEA’s procurement process, executive contracts and board appointments. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Theme parks keep (but tweak) holiday events as pandemic continues
Folks needing a little Christmas, right this very minute, can find it at Orlando’s theme parks this year, despite the pandemic. But most attractions have downsized and repurposed their traditional holiday blowouts to fit the times but still draw repeat and local customers, experts say. Park watchers have known for months that year-end festivities would be affected by travel restrictions, limited capacities and general uneasiness, particularly after Halloween events were canceled or drastically altered. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Insurers say RoofClaim.com’s Boca Raton Bowl title sponsorship encourages abuses
A Georgia-based roofing contractor has secured naming rights to the Boca Raton Bowl football game through 2023 just months after Florida lawmakers loyal to the insurance industry killed a multimillion-dollar deal that would have put the company’s name on sports venues at two universities. Insurers aren’t happy about the title sponsorship deal announced by RoofClaim.com and ESPN Events, the bowl game’s owner and operator. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Meals on Wheels of Sarasota needs hundreds of volunteers to keep up with demand
As the number of people in the community who need home-delivered meals throughout the pandemic has grown, Meals on Wheels of Sarasota has ramped up its capacity. The organization that delivers meals to those who are homebound and unable to prepare food for themselves has increased the number of meals it delivers each day and the number of routes it is servicing in the community. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Out of the Box
Is Christmas going to the dogs (and cats and guinea pigs, too)?
A survey by the Deloitte consulting firm that found half of pet-owning consumers plan to spend an average of $90 on pet supplies for the holidays this year. Rover’s 2020 Holiday Shopping Report says that nearly 80 percent plan to buy their dog a gift. Bring on the doggy DNA kits, kitty elf suits and hedgehog squeaky toys.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Profile
Entrepreneur seizes remote work business opportunity
Bondy, a Sarasota-based company formed in June, creates and delivers curated gift boxes geared toward companies and teams that can’t bond like they used to, prior to the pandemic. Bondy boxes are based on themes, from motivation to recognition to celebration, with items inside that appeal to the five senses. Prices for Bondy boxes start at $40 for the Sweet, Sour & Savory Box to $120 for a Special Wedding Bells Gift Box — one of the few boxes not specifically designed for businesses.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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