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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida had a shot at herd immunity. Now it’s slipping away.
Herd immunity may be slipping further and further out of reach. Experts no longer fear large outbreaks. But the delta variant could fuel mini outbreaks in low-vaccinated areas. So as long as the coronavirus continues to circulate, it will continue to infect, sicken and kill thousands of Americans, primarily the unvaccinated and immunocompromised. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Little impact for Florida growers following Hurricane Elsa
After Hurricane Elsa’s arrival in the Southeast, growers in Florida seem to be breathing a sigh of relief. “Florida was spared any significant impact as the system shifted its track slightly to the west as it skirted the Florida coast,” says Neil Mazal of East Coast Farms & Vegetables in Lake Worth, FL. “There was no significant impact on Florida crops as the growing season for dry vegetables is over and tropical fruit production areas such as Homestead and the Redlands escaped any real impact.” More from the Fresh Plaza.
Realtors put $8 million into ballot initiative to ensure money for affordable housing
Realtor groups have poured another $8 million into an effort to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2022 ballot that would ensure money for affordable-housing programs, a newly filed finance report shows. The group Florida Realtors funneled $5 million in June to the political committee Floridians for Housing, while the National Association of Realtors chipped in another $3 million. Florida Realtors had earlier contributed $5 million, bringing the total amount raised by the committee to $13 million. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Surfside’s businesses rushed to help after the condo collapse. Now they’re struggling
In the hours and days after the sudden collapse of a condo in Surfside, neighboring business owners didn’t immediately think about their rent and the sudden end to their income. They moved to help their neighbors. Restaurants such as Josh’s Deli prepared and delivered 300 meals to evacuees’ families and first responders. Then they opened their doors on a usual off day and fed more than 100 police officers and rescue workers that sat down for lunch. More from the Miami Herald.
CSX completes Quality Carriers acquisition
CSX Corp. closed one acquisition and took steps toward regulatory approval for another last week. The Jacksonville-based railroad company completed its acquisition of Tampa-based trucking company Quality Carriers Inc., which was announced in May. CSX also filed an updated application with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board for its proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways Inc., which would expand its rail network in New England. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Arts Business
Art Basel shifted its December dates. You’ll need to go elsewhere on Art Week Sunday.
Reset your calendars. Art Basel Miami Beach is shifting its dates, leaving more hours for VIPs and fewer hours for regular fair goers. For weekend art lovers, that means you’ll be spending your Sunday art-viewing hours elsewhere. The Art Basel fair will now open Tuesday, Nov. 30 — but for VIPs only — giving two full days of exclusive access to VIPs “to reduce crowding and ensure a safe delivery of the show,” according to an Art Basel spokesperson.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Entertainment
Sea Life Aquarium back in the swim with behind-the-scenes tour
Just in time for Shark Week, Sea Life Aquarium Orlando has reintroduced a behind-the-scenes tour that allows visitors to learn about the care and feeding of its sharks and the thousands of other creatures living at the International Drive attraction. The aquarium extra — which costs an extra $9.99 per person — was suspended after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown but returned to the lineup of options this month.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
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