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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida’s unemployment system was improving, but cybersecurity issues are new setback
When the pandemic hit last year, Florida’s unemployment system was in turmoil, with Floridians spending hours on hold with call centers and waiting weeks or months to receive benefits. Sixteen months later, Floridians using CONNECT are facing some of the same problems — but cyberattacks, not the pandemic, are to blame, the state says. More from the MIami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.
Spirit Airlines cuts flights to cope with COVID and scheduling turmoil
Spirit Airlines says it expects to operate on reduced schedules through the end of September after waves of flight cancellations in early August disrupted the travels of thousands of customers. The Miramar-based airline made the statement in an “update” to investors that was filed late Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It blamed continued staffing problems for its decision to reduce flights. More from the South Florida Sunn-Sentinel.
Study: Florida tourism industry lost out on more than $184 million after 2018 red tide outbreak
As Tampa Bay and much of Southwest Florida begin the recovery process of this summer's devastating wave of red tide, researchers have estimated the damage the harmful algae bloom had on the region's tourism industry in 2018. The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences found that between the significant bloom events that happened from 2017 to early 2019, revenues were down across the board for industries like charter boat fishing, marine recreation and Airbnb reservations in Southwest Florida. More from WTSP.
Al Fox, Tampa voice on normalizing Cuban relations, files to run for U.S. Senate
Albert “Al” Fox Jr., Tampa’s longstanding advocate for normalizing Cuban American relations, has officially filed to run in the 2022 Senate race. Fox had hinted at a run earlier this summer when he formed an exploratory committee, but announced he had filed the paperwork to run in the Democratic primary on Monday. He previously ran for Congress in 2006 and lost to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Orlando home prices rise by $5K in July; experts see signs of cooldown
Home prices in Orlando continued to rise last month but experts see early signs of a market cooldown, according to the July real estate market report from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. The median home price in metro Orlando set another record when it rose to $320,000 in July, an increase of $50,000 from the same time last year, an 18.5% jump, according to the report. Homes spent an average of just 26 days on the market before selling, a record low for the area. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Beyond the classroom: Caring for the whole student
Education can enlighten, empower, help solve problems and open opportunities. Committing to the journey toward obtaining a diploma or degree can also be a life-changing experience. That is why it is important to recognize that effective learning requires so much more than a classroom and great faculty. O[Sponsored report].
Arts Business
Ringling College student art displayed at Smithsonian American Art Museum
Ten Ringling College of Art and Design students were chosen to create biographical sketches of under-celebrated women artists for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The project was a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Ringling College’s INDEX program. The students created short comics 12 to 16 frames apiece to celebrate women artists who didn't receive the recognition they deserved in their lifetime.
» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Retail Trends
Despite news of retail gloom, Tampa mall is adding and expanding stores
While mall operators across the country are focused on finding non-traditional tenants to stay relevant as shopping habits evolve, International Plaza is doubling down on its niche market of high-end luxury retailers that attract both local shoppers and travelers. Tampa’s high-end mall has added five new tenants in the past year and has another half dozen either expanding or moving in by the end of this year.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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