DeSantis vows to fight any Florida coronavirus travel restriction
Gov. Ron DeSantis railed against the idea of potential travel restrictions imposed by the federal government amid concerns about coronavirus mutations, saying during a Thursday news conference that such a move would be “unconstitutional” and “unwise.” President Joe Biden’s administration is considering domestic travel restrictions as it eyes variant strains of the coronavirus that could be more contagious or against which current vaccines may be less effective, according to news reports. But it does not appear that any policy decisions are imminent, with federal officials telling reporters that decisions would be made in partnership with local and state governments. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Nancy Hogshead-Makar: A champion for women's sports
For Nancy Hogshead-Makar, sports has been an avenue for achievement and a source of healing. Florida schools’ non-compliance with Title IX robs other women of those opportunities, she says. In the 49 years since Congress passed Title IX, the number of women’s collegiate sports opportunities nationwide has grown from fewer than 70,000 in the early 1980s to more than 200,000 today. But that growth has not kept pace with women’s increasing enrollment in college relative to men, who also have seen their opportunities to play expand significantly over the years. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida orange production gets slight bump
Florida orange production got a slight bounce this week, with the February forecast up 3.7 percent from a January projection, according to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Still down 16.8 percent from the 2019-2020 growing season, Florida is forecast to produce enough oranges to fill 56 million 90-pound boxes, the industry standard. "Today’s forecast gives us reason to be cautiously optimistic as we proceed through the remainder of the season," said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Despite pandemic straining relationships, Florida divorce rates decline
The number of people who got divorced in the sunshine state dropped in 2020. A report by Bloomberg Wealth shows Florida divorces declined by 28 percent up until September of 2020. According to the Florida Department of Health, Collier County’s divorce rate shrunk by half. Hendry County had a slight decline. Charlotte, Lee and Glades counties saw a slight jump by less than 1 percent. [Source: WFTX]
Florida lawmakers again consider statewide rules for Airbnb, other vacation rentals
A years-long effort to block local governments from regulating vacation rentals is on the move again, as House and Senate leaders revive a proposal to prevent cities and counties from inspecting and licensing properties offered on platforms such as Airbnb. In a 10-7 vote on Wednesday, the House Regulatory Reform Subcommittee gave an initial nod to the latest version of the proposal (HB 219). While the legislation has morphed over the past few years, the controversy over the issue has remained consistent. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Web.com merges with competitor, becoming Newfold Digital
Web.com Group Inc. merged with competitor Endurance Web Presence into a new company called Newfold Digital, the companies announced Feb. 10. Web.com CEO Sharon Rowlands is now chief executive of Newfold Digital, which will be headquartered at the Web.com offices in Jacksonville at 5335 Gate Parkway. Newfold Digital will also continue to have a major presence at Endurance's headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts.
› EA Sports College Football will be built in Orlando, perhaps bringing more jobs
Electronic Arts’ Orlando studio will build the recently announced EA Sports College Football game, which a company executive has said could lead to new jobs. The game is returning after EA’s NCAA Football game was discontinued in 2013 amid legal wrangling and after conferences and universities backed out of deals that allowed the company to use logos but kept them from using player names.
› UF research, economic impact didn’t slow down in 2020
The pandemic put a damper on many industries, but academic research wasn’t one of them. The University of Florida announced this week that it received $900.7 million in research awards last year — a record for the flagship university. “Our faculty continued their unprecedented pursuit of new knowledge, and our technology transfer team made sure that knowledge fueled new treatments, new products and new companies,” said David Norton, vice president for research at UF.
› Miami-Dade jury trials to resume March 1 though spread of COVID-19 variant a concern
In-person jury trials in Miami-Dade County will resume March 1, officials announced, nearly one year after the courts shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement by Chief Judge Bertila Soto comes as the number of coronavirus cases has dipped and more people are being vaccinated — but also as the so-called “U.K. variant” of the virus, thought to be significantly more contagious, is taking an alarming hold in Florida.
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› Democrats, agriculture groups celebrate Nikki Fried’s White House partnership
Democrats and agriculture and cannabis group leaders are praising Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried‘s partnership with the Biden administration on a broad spectrum of issues. The 30-page plan, FDACS Biden-Harris Administration Partnership Plan: Keeping Florida & America Growing, outlines 40 areas where the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services can collaborate with the White House and federal agencies such as the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Energy and Commerce. Policy suggestions range from water and rural broadband issues to cannabis, diversity and more.
› Amalie Arena to gradually begin reopening to fans
Amalie Arena will begin to open up to fans for Lightning and Raptors games beginning next week, but the general public likely won’t be able to attend games in person until next month. Starting with the Lightning’s home game against the Florida Panthers on Monday, a limited number of family and friends will be allowed inside the building for games.
› The future of Miami-Dade’s coast: tall walls, landscaped barrier islands or both?
Politicians and residents of Miami-Dade County are mostly on board with the now $6 billion federal proposal to protect the vulnerable coastal community from future storm surge strengthened by climate change. They like the idea of elevating thousands of private homes, floodproofing thousands of businesses and the county’s hospitals, fire and police stations.
› Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons marks 30 years with new venues and gowns
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons is celebrating 30 years of making couples’ wedding, vow renewal and engagement dreams come true. “For the past 30 years, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons has helped create once-in-a-lifetime memories for couples around the globe,” said Korri McFann, marketing director for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. “As we celebrate this milestone year, we are delighted to offer even more products and experiences to help turn fantasy into reality.”