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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Top three unemployment system issues plaguing jobless in Southwest Florida, explained
Nearly a year into the pandemic, issues continue to plague jobless people across the state. Despite doing exactly what the Department of Economic Opportunity recommends, people like Janna Glassberg are hitting roadblocks. A performer, she’s been unemployed since last March. “Right from the beginning, it was bad,” Glassberg said. “The computers, the system, the glitches, the getting kicked out, not getting get being able to get in. It could take you eight hours to get logged on, and then you get kicked out, or being kicked back and forth, trying to get through the application.” Now she and many others are facing new problems with the system.
› Fanatics pairs with Hillhouse Capital to start $1 billion sports retail unit in China
As Fanatics continues to hold off on a potential IPO, the sports merchandise company is busy expanding global operations, this time in China. The Michael Rubin-led company is starting Fanatics China, a joint venture with investment firm Hillhouse Capital, an Asia-focused private equity fund with companies in Asia’s e-commerce and retail sectors, the company told CNBC.
› Manatee County craft company breaks six figures in sales
Craft company Maker Forte has reported it broke six figures in sales during its first quarter in operation. Maker Forte, based in east Manatee County in University Park, launched in mid-September 2020 with a collection of craft products. According to a press release, the company's early success surpassed the team's goals.
› Renowned water expert sides with Miramar homeowners who are struggling with costly pipe repairs
Miramar residents who are angry about having to deal with costly copper pipe repairs at homes that are only about two decades old are still searching for answers. They do have a tenacious expert on their side now. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech Civil Engineering professor, has helped to expose issues with water in Flint and Washington. And although the situation in Miramar is not about lead-laced water, the environmental engineer has plenty of experience with using data to confront water regulators.
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