Florida vaccine supply to jump to 340k next week
The federal government is set to increase Florida’s weekly allotment of COVID-19 vaccines for a third straight week, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. The state is slated to get 340,600 initial doses between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, with another 340,600 in second doses. That’s up from the 325,100 the state received this week, which was up from the 307,725 received last week. Doses arrive between Monday and Wednesday the week after they are announced. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Former president of Minor League Baseball Pat O'Conner
With MLB deciding to cut the number of Minor League teams and brand them as MLB “subsidiaries,” O’Conner decided to bow out: “I had three years left on my contract, but I decided to retire. I’m not going to stay just to get a check or fight what is the undeniable path baseball is on. The sport has been too good to me. For the better part of 40 years, I gave Minor League Baseball everything I had, and everything I have today has virtually come to me through Minor League Baseball, so I think we're kind of even, and I can walk away with my head up.” [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida’s electric vehicle market is geared for exponential growth but awaiting takeoff
Florida’s Energy Office earlier this year released an electric vehicle roadmap outlining plans to deal with rapid EV growth that appears all but imminent. Still, without tax incentives for drivers or executive action for manufacturers, the state’s next steps are tentative. According to the roadmap released Jan. 5, Florida currently has 60,000 EVs on the road and is projected to double its EV numbers in the next 10 years. State agencies, advocacy groups and electric vehicle drivers are preparing for this growth but attribute the upcoming workload to different sectors. [Source: WUFT]
Florida coronavirus vaccines to start at Walmart, Winn-Dixie, expand at Publix
The number of retail stores offering COVID-19 vaccines is set to significantly expand this week, as hundreds of new Publix, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores start giving out shots as part of a federal program to ship vials directly to major pharmacies. The Biden administration announced the launch of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination last week. More than 20 different retail pharmacies are participating in the initial rollout of the program nationwide. In Florida, Publix, Walmart and Southeastern Grocers — the parent company of Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Más and Harveys grocery stores — are the participating retailers for now. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Rebekah Jones, ex-Florida COVID-19 analyst, drops lawsuit against FDLE agents over raid
Former Florida Department of Health data analyst Rebekah Jones is dropping a civil lawsuit alleging that state law-enforcement agents violated her rights when they searched her home and hauled away computer equipment in December. Jones’ attorneys filed a notice last week in federal court in Tallahassee that said she was dismissing the lawsuit “without prejudice,” which means it could be filed again. Jones has drawn national attention because of her accusations that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has manipulated data about the COVID-19 pandemic. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Duplin Winery, largest winery in the south, to open in Panama City Beach in early 2022
A new winery attraction is set to open in Panama City Beach in early 2022. According to a press release from Duplin Winery of Rose Hill, North Carolina, the largest winery in the South, the family-owned business has broken ground on its third location on 70 acres at the previous Hombre Golf Club. Duplin Winery is building a 35,000-square-foot complex that will be the home of Southern-style wine tasting experiences featuring specialty drinks, gourmet foods, merchandise, live entertainment and Sweet Wine.
› Mayo starting $7.4 million research build-out
Jacksonville issued a permit Feb. 8 for an almost $7.4 million build-out for Mayo Clinic in the Mangurian Building at Mayo’s South Jacksonville campus. “This project is to support the need for more space for our research efforts. The first phase of this project will allow space for our neuroscience research teams while the second phase is not yet defined,” spokesman Kevin Punsky said. He said construction should be completed by November.
› It’s a new Miami tech unicorn. Manny Medina’s startup will be worth $1B after investment
One of the founding fathers of Miami’s tech landscape is the latest to ride the Magic City’s recent investment wave. Manny Medina, who was instrumental in inaugurating Miami’s tech turn in founding data center group Terremark and, later, the eMerge Americas conference, announced Tuesday that his cybersecurity startup, Appgate, had received a $100 million investment commitment.
› Union dues bill on Florida Senate fast track
A controversial proposal that would add requirements related to deducting union dues from public-employee paychecks could be on the fast track in the Florida Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee is slated Wednesday to take up the bill (SB 78), filed by Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero. If it clears the Judiciary Committee, the bill is scheduled to go next week to the Rules Committee, the final step before it could receive a vote on the Senate floor after the 2021 legislative session starts in March.
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› FPL workers shut down wrong pump at Turkey Point, then covered it up, NRC finds
Technicians at Florida Power and Light’s Turkey Point nuclear power plant did maintenance on the wrong pump, causing it to briefly shut down, then falsified records to cover up the mistake. The July 2019 goof-up on the pump, which injects water into a nuclear reactor’s cooling system, was described in an inspection report from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission released last week.
› At Disney characters union, lawsuit seeks end to takeover
The Teamsters local that represents workers who play Mickey Mouse, Goofy and other characters at Walt Disney World was taken over almost two years ago by its parent union, which cited “deficiencies” in the local’s leadership following repeated member complaints of mismanagement. Now a former officer of Local 385′s previous leadership is suing the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, claiming the takeover has lasted too long.
› Archie Collins Appointed as Next President & CEO of Tampa Electric
Scott Balfour, President and CEO of Emera Inc. and Chair of the Tampa Electric Board (TSX: EMA) today announced that Archie Collins will become the next President & Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Electric effective May 3, 2021. Until that time, he will serve as President & Chief Operating Officer.
› First Baptist Church of Jacksonville gets city building permit for $1.78 million project
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville received a building permit Friday for a nearly $1.8 million renovation, repair and remodeling project at its downtown campus. The church received a city building permit to modernize the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium at 125 W. Ashley St. as the main sanctuary and worship center.