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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Critics dispute unemployment aid ‘narrative'
Floridians struggling since the start of the coronavirus pandemic are being forced to take jobs below their skill levels and at low wages as the state scales back unemployment assistance, opponents of reducing aid said Thursday. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, along with officials from the Florida AFL-CIO and the Florida People’s Advocacy Center embarked on a long-shot effort to get Gov. Ron DeSantis to reverse a decision to stop providing $300 a week in federal unemployment assistance starting June 26. More from the News Service of Floridaand WJXT.
Major hurricane landfall likely this year in United States, according to new forecast
A prominent hurricane forecaster maintained a pessimistic prediction for this season, calling for eight hurricanes and a 69% chance that a major hurricane will strike the United States. Colorado State University researchers issued a new forecast Thursday that maintains an earlier prediction for an above-average season and increased risk of a landfall. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Shutterstock founder, former Uber exec lead investment in Miami-based wellness startup
A common gripe about Miami’s tech moment is that it is not benefiting longtime Miami entrepreneurs. A local startup hoping to break ground using psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness is taking one step toward changing that narrative. NUE Life, founded by longtime Miami entrepreneurs Juan Pablo Cappello and Demian Bellumio, announced Thursday it had raised more than $3 million from investors who have recently arrived in Miami. More from the Miami Herald.
As toxic algae looms, Sarasota County calls to reduce use of fertilizer
As red tide continues to linger off local shorelines, Sarasota County is urging residents to reduce the use of fertilizers that can help fuel the algal blooms. Nutrient pollution is widespread and can create challenging environmental issues for waterways throughout the county. The amount of rainfall expected during the rainy season increases the likelihood of a surge of nutrients in waterways. Excessive nutrients contribute to algae blooms, diminish water quality and threaten aquatic life. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
The Rays, the mayor and Montreal: St. Petersburg’s stadium drama, explained
It’s less than a dozen blocks from Tropicana Field from St. Petersburg’s City Hall. But there are days, especially lately, when they’ve never seemed farther apart. For a decade and a half, the topic of What’s To Be Done With The Trop has dominated St. Pete politics, as the Tampa Bay Rays have sought options for a new stadium. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Business Beat - Week of June 4th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Out of the Box
NASA launches glow-in-the-dark squid, water bears to International Space Station from Florida
There aren't any humans aboard the Dragon capsule, but there are glow-in-the-dark baby squid and tiny tardigrades, which can survive under extreme circumstances. Scientists will study the tardigrades, also known as water bears, to see how they survive and reproduce on the ISS. The young bobtail squid are part of a study on symbiotic relationships between the animals and microbes. Scientists are curious how spaceflight will impact the relationship.
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