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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
New jobless filings in Florida are back on the decline as economic picture improves
Improving jobless benefits data show Florida’s economic recovery appears back in full swing. After seeing sporadic increases earlier this spring, new applications for unemployment assistance in Florida fell for the third straight week, the U.S. Department of Labor said . For the week ending May 8, new jobless claims fell from 19,765 to 14,872; barring a revision next week, that latest figure will represent a new pandemic low. [Source: Miami Herald]
Hollywood in ‘emergency mode’ over new gaming deal that could cost the town millions
A controversial new gaming deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida has Hollywood scrambling to safeguard its stake at the table over the next 30 years — a stake worth tens of millions. Mayor Josh Levy was one of several Hollywood officials shocked to learn Davie would get a dramatically bigger cut at Hollywood’s expense from the state-revenue sharing deal with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. “We’re now in emergency mode,” Levy said Sunday. “This was a surprise. And a very disproportionate one at that.” State legislators are expected to debate all the details in a special session starting Monday. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
‘No one thinks about them’: Janitors get organized in South Florida
Janitors in Florida are fighting to organize a union through the Justice for Janitors campaign as the predominantly immigrant and women of color workforce have faced severely low wages, poor working conditions and lax safety protections during the pandemic. Building off union victories for janitors at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University in 2006, and more recent organizing wins at Miami international airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international airport, workers are now fighting to organize janitors in South Florida’s lucrative commercial real estate industry. [Source: The Guardian]
Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld all drop outdoor mask rules for guests, effective immediately
Visitors won’t have to wear face masks outdoors at any of Central Florida’s major theme parks, as Universal Orlando, Disney World and SeaWorld relaxed the COVID-19 rule effective Saturday, sparking a mixed reaction among some fans. Universal Orlando was the first to drop the outdoor mask requirement Friday evening. Guests don’t have to wear a mask outdoors at Universal but are still asked to bring masks with them to wear when they go inside, or standing in line for a ride, according to a statement sent from Universal spokesman Tom Schroder. [Source: Orlando Sentinel ]
Staff shortages now forcing some South Florida restaurants to go dark, limit hours
After months of trying in vain to fill jobs – even enticing new hires with $400 bonuses – some South Florida restaurants have turned off the lights or limited hours to give servers, line cooks and managers time off to recharge. Tucker Duke’s Boca Raton location is now closed on Mondays. So is Plant Based Mafia, a restaurant that opened in April in Palm Beach Gardens. It posted on its Facebook page: “Our employees are working double shifts all week and need a day to recoup.” The result, for customers, is a now-common scenario unfolding at local restaurants: Emptier dining rooms, slower service, longer waits to be seated. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Lakewood Ranch: Curating healthy living in Southwest Florida
Decades ago, when developers sought to build a world-class, health-conscious community in Southwest Florida, they envisioned parks, sports, clubs and medical facilities that would improve residents’ daily lives and society’s long-term needs. Today, Lakewood Ranch’s master plan curates a combination of health, wellness and breakthrough scientific research to deliver meaningful, healthy living. [ Sponsored report ]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Publix resumes free cookies for kids after pandemic pause
Is your kid craving a sweet during your grocery trip? If, so, they’re in luck. Publix is once again giving free cookies to kids, having paused the program since March 2020 due to the pandemic, spokesperson Maria Brous said in an email.
› Brickell is getting a new boutique hotel. Its architect designed the World Trade Center
A 1960s Brickell Avenue landmark is getting a new life — as a hotel. The Colonnade Plaza, a modernist office building designed by World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki, will be transformed into a boutique hotel, according to plans submitted to the City of Miami’s Building Department and conversations with two construction workers and a security guard on site.
› Pinellas tourism could set records in 2021 following crush of pandemic
After the coronavirus pandemic crushed Pinellas County tourism in 2020, there was uncertainty over how long a recovery would take. Now, early data suggests 2021 could be the year of the comeback. Pinellas County hotel occupancy in April hit 82 percent, which is 4 percentage points higher than April 2019, the highest performing year on record, according to Steve Hayes, CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the county’s tourism arm.
› JEA holds line on electric bills another year but increases coming in future years
The high cost of buying power from the Plant Vogtle nuclear plant will eventually force JEA to charge customers more for their electricity, but the utility is working through a way to keep the bottom-line cost for bills the same for the coming year. That was the outlook presented Friday to the JEA board when its Finance and Audit Committee met to review electric rates and a separate plan for increasing one-time water and sewer fees that builders pay when they add new developments to the JEA system.
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