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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
DeSantis suspending all local COVID emergency orders
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was immediately suspending all local COVID-19 emergency orders by executive order on Monday. DeSantis also signed SB 2006, a bill passed last month that would permanently handcuff what both governors and local mayors can do amid pandemics. The new law gives the Legislature more power to overrule any emergency mandates or restrictions by the governor, the governor the authority to overrule cities and counties, and city and county commissions the power to overrule mayors. More from the Orlando Sentinel and BayNews 9.
Central Florida businesses looking for reboot from pandemic
Small businesses are at the heart of the Central Florida community. They've also been among those impacted the most during the pandemic. As Small Business Week kicks off across the country, local business leaders say community support can be the key to success. More from Spectrum News 13.
As businesses flock to South Florida, has Fort Lauderdale fallen behind in luring them?
Fort Lauderdale appears to be missing out on many of the companies moving to South Florida during the pandemic — with a number of them instead landing in West Palm Beach and Miami. Business relocations are becoming a key force in the economic recovery, delivering the potential for more high-skilled, high-paying jobs in the region. But Miami and West Palm Beach boast higher buzz factors right now than Fort Lauderdale, perhaps because the neighboring cities have more defined messages and vocal advocates speaking on their behalf. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Orlando White Castle opening draws big line of little burger fans
Scores of White Castle fans lined up overnight for a chance to buy the restaurant’s signature sliders from the Orlando location that opened today. More than 100 people were standing in line under a tent, and the drive-thru also was packed with cars backed up all the way to the Daryl Carter Parkway in the O-Town West development near Walt Disney World. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Toronto-based tech company RabbitRun relocates HQ to St. Pete
A St. Petersburg serial entrepreneur is the driving force behind a Toronto-based tech company moving its headquarters. Eric Hernaez was tapped as CEO of RabbitRun in March, three months after he sold his Tampa-based company SkySwitch for an undisclosed amount to New York-based BCM One. Both companies are in the managed service providers industry, which helps other companies improve their efficiencies and functions. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Florida History
Great Fire of 1901 killed 7, left 10,000 homeless. Mystery photo shows Jacksonville went to work week later
The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed almost 150 city blocks and almost 2,400 buildings, killing seven people and leaving 10,000 homeless. As the sun set on that hot May 3, residents of Lake City and Georgia could see a red glow in the distance, marking the spot where much of Jacksonville had disappeared in fire. But industrious residents of the ruined city had almost immediately begun planning how to rebuild.
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
End of an Era
‘I had a good run:’ After nearly 50 years, iconic Orlando salon closes
Almost four decades ago, Plinnie Thompson got a call. The person on the other end said he worked for a famous singer who wanted Thompson to style his hair. Initially, Thompson declined. “You’re asking me to open my doors on a Monday when I’m closed and you won’t tell me for who,” he recalled telling the caller. But the next day, a bodyguard showed up in the salon and whispered to Thompson’s business partner, Rudy Roundtree, that the “famous singer” was Michael Jackson. That night, the King of Pop sat down for a wash and style.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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