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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida fisheries and seafood industries taking hits from red tide
A severe outbreak of red tide and large fish kills off the coast of Florida is raising concerns about the state’s fisheries and seafood industry. It’s the worst algae bloom since 2018, when the ride tide killed an estimated 2,000 tons of marine life and caused millions of dollars in businesses losses. The U.S. Commerce Department recently denied Florida disaster assistance for fisheries hurt by the 2018 red tide bloom. More from the Bay News 9.
Florida has other options for teacher bonuses, even if U.S. nixes first plan, experts say
Though told last week that its education bonus plan would run afoul of federal rules, Florida still could give teachers and principals $1,000 awards, if it paid them from another pot of COVID-19 relief funds, not the one it initially identified, budget experts say. Last week, the U.S. Department of Education told the state its plan to use nearly $216 million in federal money to pay bonuses to classroom teachers and principals did not appear allowable. More from the Otlando Sentinel.
The 2021 Python Challenge is on now in the Everglades
The 2021 Python Challenge kicks off today in the Everglades. It runs through July 18. It's a way for Florida to get rid of invasive Burmese pythons that are killing our native wildlife. The goal of the challenge is to raise awareness about the invasive snake species and the threats they can pose to the state's ecology, according to the competition's website. More from WTSP.
Duke Energy customer bills will go up to cover 2020 hurricane costs
Florida utility regulators gave Duke Energy Florida a green light Thursday to charge customers for costs related to Tropical Storm Eta and Hurricane Isaias. Beginning this summer, residential customers will see an average of 55 cents more on their bills for one year to cover the cost. The Pinellas County-based power company asked to charge customers $19.8 million for Tropical Storm Eta and $247,000 for Hurricane Isaias, both of which hit in 2020. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Closed Jacksonville Stein Mart stores finding new tenants
When bankrupt Stein Mart Inc. closed its stores in October, real estate brokers predicted the six Jacksonville spaces would be attractive to retailers that include gyms, supermarkets, furniture stores and other shopping uses. They are starting to land tenants. Plans surfaced for the closed Stein Mart at 13475 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village to become Crunch Fitness, and the vacant store in Point Meadows is slated for lease to Bailey’s Health & Fitness. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record .
Business Beat - Week of July 9th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Online travel search engine Kayak expands with its own tech-driven Miami Beach hotel
The 52-room Kayak Miami Beach, which recently opened in a 1934 Art Deco building, functions as a test lab and showcase for the company’s new app-based hotel management system. Guests who download the Kayak app can use it to check in, unlock and lock their doors, order food and request housekeeping or a late checkout. The hotel lobby also has self-serve kiosks for check-in, and rooms include internet-connected TVs with on-demand yoga classes by local studio Green Monkey Yoga.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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