March 28, 2024

Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/17/2020

Jobless assistance applications drop in Florida — but climb nationally as pandemic rages

New applications for unemployment assistance in Florida fell last week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. But nationally, seasonally adjusted claims unexpectedly climbed for the second week in a row, suggesting no end in sight to the economic pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic. For the week ending Dec. 12, new jobless claims filed in the Sunshine State declined from 29,142 to 21,780. More from the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida taking wetlands permitting role from federal government; only 3rd state to do so

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is granting Florida authority to issue wetlands permits that were handled until now by the federal government, greatly increasing state responsibility for development affecting waterways. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told the Times-Union he will sign an agreement Thursday delegating power under the Clean Water Act to approve or deny permits for work that releases “dredged or fill material” – dirt – into wetlands or waterways. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Florida could incur $1.25B Medicaid shortfall by July

Florida's Medicaid enrollment could swell by 700,000 beneficiaries before 2022, increasing the state’s costs by 19% and potentially presenting lawmakers in March with a $1.25 billion shortfall, according to projections by state economists. In analyses published Monday after a Social Services Estimating Conference (SSEC) on Dec. 8, economists forecast 4.59 million Floridians will be enrolled in Medicaid during fiscal year 2022, nearly 700,000 more than fiscal year 2020’s enrollment of 3.9 million people. More from the Center Square.

Florida growers concerned about fruit drops

Numerous Florida citrus growers are experiencing heavy fruit drop this fall. “For some growers, it’s the worst fruit drop they have experienced; 50 percent-plus,” says grower Lee Jones with Cross Covered Caretaking. Grower Jim Snively, with Southern Gardens Citrus, said he is hearing talk of around 30 to 50 percent-plus fruit drop. “I’m hearing pick-outs that are 20 percent to 70 percent below last year; the drop is the culprit in the areas with the greatest reduction,” says Snively. More from Southeast AgNet.

Parking garage gets squeezed in booming downtown Fort Lauderdale

A hulking gray parking garage that squats on prime land in booming Fort Lauderdale may have a date with the wrecking ball as the city envisions the look of downtown decades from now. Mayor Dean Trantalis this week questioned the wisdom of hiring a developer to spruce up the mammoth seven-story garage and lease it for the next 55 years — a plan he likened to slapping “lipstick on a pig.” More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Workplace policy check-up prepares for the ‘new normal'

Almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, some companies still struggle to manage the workplace and personnel realities they face. From remote work policies; to how, when, and whether workers should come back to the office; to how technology is deployed and used, a quick check-up of practices and policies can help ensure the office reflects the new reality. [Sponsored report]

Sports Business
Raptors making Tampa’s Amalie Arena look like home

 Though the Raptors can’t open the NBA season in Toronto, they are bringing many of their homecourt trappings to Tampa. In fact, to the untrained and uninformed eye, it might look like the team is still playing at Scotiabank Arena — not Amalie Arena, home of the NHL’s Lightning. That starts with the court, a new floor featuring the team’s logos and colors.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Out of the Box
Miami-based Neocis develops robot-assisted dental surgery

floridaMiami-based Neocis is using $72 million in new funding to market and develop additional applications for its robotic dental surgery assistant, Yomi. Neocis bills Yomi as the first and only FDA-approved robotic device for dental implant surgery. The device’s technology enables a surgeon to digitally map out an implant procedure based on 3-D imaging of the patient. The robot arm then guides the surgeon through the procedure by physically resisting any motion outside the bounds of the plan.

» Read more from Florida Trend.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

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