March 29, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/23/2021

Studies show modest job gains from U.S. states’ benefit cuts

New data show that states like Florida that cut federal unemployment benefits this summer did not yet get the hoped for job boom, but the loss of the stipend did appear to prompt some of the unemployed to take jobs. Underlying that topline conclusion, however, is also evidence of a more nuanced reshuffling among different employment categories that could have bearing on the economy’s performance in the critical months to come. More from Reuters.

Delray puts pause on $500 COVID-19 vaccine incentive plan

Earlier this month, Delray Beach offered a $500 incentive to city employees who came into contact with the public at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to get vaccinated. But the plan is now on hold after concerns were raised about its workability. City Attorney Lynn Gelin said at the City Commission meeting last week that the city could fall afoul of discrimination laws if the vaccine incentive is limited to one group of employees. More from the Palm Beach Post.

Tampa Bay concert, event planning gets tricky again with delta

Across the Tampa Bay area, venues that just announced the return of concerts and festivals are struggling with how to do it safely. American Stage Theater Company is getting ready for its first in-person shows with the comedy The People Downstairs opening Sept. 15 and Around the World in 80 Days opening Oct. 27. This week, the theater company updated its safety protocols, “due to the rise in positive cases of the COVID-19 virus.” More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Redistricting, take two: Jacksonville resumes work on new map using 2020 Census

The stalled redistricting for Jacksonville City Council and School Board seats has swung back into action after the U.S. Census Bureau finally released data that will guide redrawing lines in a city that's increasingly turned "purple" in choosing among Republican and Democrats in political races. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Frustrated house hunters give up on buying a home in Orlando

Metro Orlando home prices have been steadily rising throughout the past year, with the median price reaching a record $320,000 in July, according to a report from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. And while inventory has risen for three straight months from its historic low in April, it’s still down 43% from the same time last year. More from the Orlando Sentiinel.

Profile
Meet the bird man of St. Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens

 Frank Nesmith and Bobbie Sue have a close bond. They’ve known each other for seven or eight years, since Bobbie Sue came to live at Sunken Gardens, the city-owned botanical garden where Nesmith works. Bobbie Sue is cheerful, a quality Nesmith sees in himself. And she enjoys conversation. What’s unusual about their connection? Bobbie Sue, about 30, is an Amazon parrot. But people form relationships with the birds, says Nesmith, 79 and the head bird curator for the Gardens.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Innovation
Biodegradable packaging

floridaMars Wrigley is the latest company to partner with Danimer Scientific to develop biodegradable packaging for its products. Danimer also has worked with Pepsi, Nestle and Bacardi to produce environmentally friendly packaging with its signature Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The company produces PHA via a natural fermentation process using plant oils such as soy and canola.

» Read more from Florida Trend.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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