Florida unemployment claims continue to drop
Newly filed unemployment claims continue to slow in Florida, with the state recording its lowest weekly total since the COVID-19 pandemic crashed into the economy in March 2020. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,946 new claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended July 3, down from a revised count of 6,917 during the week that ended June 26. Nationally, 373,000 new claims were filed last week, up 2,000 from the previous week’s revised count. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of July 9th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Traditional shopping malls face challenges in changing retail landscape, as online sales rise
Oh, how times have changed. For decades, Melbourne Square and Merritt Square malls were the places to shop in Brevard County. Today, Brevard's two premier mallsneed to get creative to attract shoppers. Experts say the changing landscape of retailing, locally and nationally, presents significant challenges for malls and other retail centers like them, as more and more consumers opt to shop online or at open-air "lifestyle centers" like The Avenue Viera or Titus Landing in Titusville. [Source: Florida Today]
Why are gas prices so high in Florida?
Florida drivers have not paid $3 a gallon for gasoline since 2014. Gas prices have climbed to a six-year high, and there may be no immediate relief in sight. This all comes as OPEC recently called off talks about increasing oil production. The demand for gas dropped drastically during the pandemic and production was cut back significantly. AAA said production now can't keep up with the demand. [Source: WPTV]
Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s only snow park, to reopen in 2021 with new offerings
Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s first and only snow park, will reopen for its 2021-2022 season in November with upgrades and new offerings for guests at the Dade City attraction. Back for a second year, the park provides family and friends the opportunity to slide down a 60-foot tall, 400-foot long snow tubing hill or play inside a 10,000-square-foot Arctic Igloo. At the bottom of the slopes is an Alpine Village with food, drinks, shopping and bonfires for warming up. [Source: Orlando Sentinel ]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Did Tropical Storm Elsa impact Red Tide blooms along the Tampa Bay coastline?
Local experts say that Tropical Storm Elsa could have helped or hurt the Red Tide blooms that have plagued the Tampa Bay coastline in recent weeks. However, they will not know for certain until the next round of water sampling, which could happen late this week or early next week.
› Space Florida preparing development of launch and landing facility
Space Florida is turning one of the world’s longest and widest runways into the anchor for its next phase of development for Florida’s — and America’s — next era of space operations. Thursday was the 10th anniversary of the final space shuttle launch, the STS-135 mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis — the end of that era.
› Student's federal lawsuit challenges Florida’s transgender athlete law
A 13-year-old Broward County soccer player is challenging Florida’s transgender athlete law, claiming it is unconstitutionally discriminatory and violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal money. In a 20-page federal lawsuit filed June 29 in the U.S. Southern District of Florida and announced last week by The Human Rights Campaign, the student – identified only as D.N. – and her parents allege the new law banning transgender female athletes from participating on girls’ and women’s sports teams "ignores basic medical science" about trans students.
› After COVID hiatus, events and offerings return in Central Florida
A few local events and offerings are returning after taking a hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic. Writer’s Block Bookstore is now offering live, in-person book signings for the first time in more than a year, starting with an event featuring Orlando author Kristin Harmel on July 8. After more than 15 months of coronavirus restrictions, nightlife returns to Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Orlando with “Tropical Fridays” and “Bailamos Saturdays” beginning July 9 and 10, respectively.
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› UCF researchers find smaller turtles nesting on Florida beaches, study says
Researchers from the University of Central Florida are puzzled about the tiny turtles nesting on Florida beaches. Katrina Phillips, Gustavo Stahelin, Ryan Chabot, and Katherine Mansfield authored the study published in Ecosphere, a journal from the Ecological Study of America, on Monday. The study indicated the current batch of loggerhead and green sea turtles nesting on Florida’s beaches is smaller than in the past.
› Disney: Epcot unveils complete Food & Wine Festival menu
The full menu for the upcoming Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has been released, featuring more than 100 food items and more than 120 beverages at 20 exclusive-to-the-event marketplaces across the theme park. The event begins July 15 and runs through Nov. 20. That’s 129 days.
› Amazon opening new Sarasota-Manatee distribution center
Amazon is coming to Manatee County. The giant e-commerce conglomerate that has revolutionized the way people shop around the world is opening another local distribution center at 2200 Tallevast Road in Manatee County, the company confirmed to the Herald-Tribune Wednesday.
› Peter Thiel’s venture group just backed this company founded by two brothers from Miami Dade College
An app created by two brothers who got their start at Miami Dade College is receiving $18 million in investments from a group of high-profile investors, including Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, SoftBank, and billionaire hedge funder Bill Ackman. Lula, launched last year by Michael and Matthew Vega-Sanz, helps small and mid-sized car- and truck-rental companies manage their insurance needs.