June consumer sentiment bounces back in Florida, indicating continued recovery
After falling in May, consumer sentiment among Floridians rose 1.5 points in June to 82.7 from a revised figure of 81.2 in May. The five components that make up the index increased. Floridians’ opinions about current economic conditions were positive. Opinions of personal financial situations now compared with a year ago increased 3.2 points from 73.5 to 76.7, the greatest increase of any reading this month. [Source: UF News]
Hurricane Center gives tropical wave 70% chance of development
The National Hurricane Center increased the odds of development for a tropical wave Wednesday morning located in the mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, a second wave just outside of the Caribbean had its odds decrease. Meteorologists predict a tropical depression in the next couple of days to be likely as the wave continues west-northwest at 20 mph. The NHC forecasts the wave to be in the region of the Windward and Leeward Islands by Friday. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Judge upholds Florida's ban on gun sales to those under 21, but questions whether it has any effect
While saying the case “falls squarely in the middle of a constitutional no man’s land,” a federal judge has upheld a 2018 Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from buying guns. The 48-page ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker came more than three years after the Republican-controlled Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott rushed to approve the restriction following a massacre at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Floridians’ access to telehealth could suffer as state order expires
Florida health-care providers are going back in time. The growing emergence of telehealth, or telemedicine, as a way to deliver health care has been a silver lining during the COVID-19 pandemic. But after Gov. Ron DeSantis let an executive order declaring a public-health emergency expire Saturday, many regulatory flexibilities that health-care providers received during the pandemic, including flexibilities related to telehealth, also expired. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida Aquarium crossbred wild and lab corals in landmark breakthrough
The Florida Aquarium reached another major milestone in its mission to restore the coral reefs, thanks to crossbreeding and cryopreservation. Scientists bred grooved brain corals collected near Fort Lauderdale and matured in the lab, with wild samples from more southern waters. The result? A smattering of golden brown coral babies, living on small ceramic tiles at the aquarium’s Apollo Beach campus. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Surfside building collapse may have a ‘jarring’ effect on Miami’s condo-buying frenzy
As grim images of rescue workers sifting through the wreckage of the Champlain South Tower circulate around the world, Miami’s kingpin condo real-estate industry is bracing for a slide. “In the short-term, the effect of the collapse will be jarring,” said real estate attorney Jesse-Dean Kluger, who said he spent the weekend fielding calls from clients under contract for units in older buildings.
› ‘Home Sweet Home’ bill expanding business of home cooking goes to DeSantis
A proposal that could help expand the business of home cooking is before Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Legislature on Monday formally sent the “Home Sweet Home Act” (HB 663) to the governor’s office. Focused on “cottage” food products, the measure would increase how much money residents can make from selling food out of their homes. It would raise an annual gross sales cap from $50,000 to $250,000 on foods sold by mail, the internet or through delivery without having to conform to state permitting requirements.
› Disney Cruise Line delays test sail from Port Canaveral
Disney Cruise Line had to delay plans to perform a test sailing of Disney Dream from Port Canaveral because of COVID-19 test results. The ship was set to perform a two-night sailing leaving Tuesday as part of the line’s efforts to receive a conditional sailing certificate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
› Major Florida law firm with international reach merging with Dallas firm
Holland & Knight, one of the largest and premier law firms in Florida, is merging with Thompson & Knight in Dallas. The directors of both firms have voted to approve the merger, which will be completed “on or about Aug. 1,” according to a statement. The combined firm, which will operate as Holland & Knight, will have about 1,600 lawyers working out of 30 offices worldwide.
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› Allegiant launching nonstop flights from Melbourne to Nashville, Pittsburgh, Concord
In November, Allegiant will roll out nonstop flights from Melbourne Orlando International Airport to Nashville, Tennessee; Pittsburgh; and Concord, North Carolina — with introductory one-way fares as low as $39. Tuesday, Allegiant announced a service expansion at Melbourne and three other new cities across the country: Amarillo, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Minneapolis.
› Disney World names ambassadors for 2022-2023
New Walt Disney World ambassadors have been selected. Cast members Ali Manion and Raevon Redding will hold the posts for 2022 and 2023. They were introduced during a ceremony at Epcot on Tuesday morning. Manion currently works as an entertainment guest experience manager at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Redding is with the guest experiences team at Magic Kingdom. Both started their Disney World careers as entertainers.
› Tampa lead factory gets credit downgrade
A global credit-rating agency has downgraded Gopher Resource — a move that experts described as a serious blow to the Tampa lead smelter. The downgrade comes after the Tampa Bay Times revealed that Gopher had exposed hundreds of workers to extreme amounts of lead. The newsroom’s investigation published in March prompted federal regulators to descend on the plant.
› Company announces plans to expand, hire over 100 employees in Jacksonville
On Tuesday, a Jacksonville-based technology firm announced details about plans to expand to create nearly 100 new jobs here on the First Coast. AutoQuotes says the expansion of staff will help support its new global headquarters in Jacksonville. The company also announced updates on new investments into the company and on their business growth. Luminate Capital Partners announced the sale of AutoQuotes to TA Associates.