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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Hurricane Center watching 3 new potential storms: 2 have 50% odds development and higher
It is August after all, and the tropics are staying active. As the remnants of Henri soak parts of New England with heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three additional areas for tropical development — all having significant chances of becoming a depression or a storm within the next five days. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The "peak" of the season falls on Sept. 10. More from the Orlando Sentinel and WTSP.
Florida school mask mandate power struggle goes before judge
Florida’s power struggle over wearing masks in school to guard against coronavirus infections landed Monday before a judge considering a lawsuit that challenges Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order reserving the mask decision for parents. The three-day hearing before Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper pits pro-mask parents against the Republican governor and state education officials who say parents, not schools, should choose whether their children cover up inside schools. The hearings come as the highly contagious Delta variant causes a surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths across Florida, where the school year is already being disrupted. [Source: AP]
There’s a disturbance in the Atlantic, and another could form in the Caribbean
Forecasters are monitoring a disturbance that could see some development later in the week as it moves across the Atlantic. They also expect another disturbance to form over the western Caribbean Sea in the next few days. The Atlantic disturbance, described as a broad area of low pressure, carried disorganized showers over the eastern Atlantic several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center. [Source: Miami Herald]
Delta variant could drop gas prices 20 cents
Gas prices have been an indicator of consumer confidence throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and with the delta variant surging COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, experts predict we’ll see a significant drop in what we pay at the pump. Fuel prices typically begin to drop at the end of the summer, as drivers hit the brakes on road trips and return to their normal routines, but the American Automobile Association forecasts a more drastic plunge in gas prices in the coming weeks than usual. More from WPLGand the Tallahassee Democrat.
'The concept looks fairly solid.' Researchers test new clay process to kill red tide cells
Researchers are testing a new method to kill red tide cells using clay. The research is among more than 25 projects now underway to mitigate the ongoing red tide bloom as part of an initiative led by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The process, known as clay flocculation, involves spraying a mixture of clay particles and seawater onto the red tide algae. The tiny clay particles then combine with red tide cells, and as the cells become heavier, they fall to the bottom of the seafloor. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa airport to hire nearly 1,000 workers at largest job fair ever
Even with COVID-19′s Delta variant surging, people are still traveling to and from Florida in huge numbers. And Tampa International Airport is racing to meet demand. That’s why the airport this week will hold its largest career fair ever, with nearly 1,000 jobs up for grabs.
› Business booming at Fort Myers Beach despite COVID-19 surge
Business is booming at Fort Myers Beach despite the dramatic surge in coronavirus cases, as tourism all around Southwest Florida sets new records. It’s doing so well, in fact, that those working in hospitality are struggling to keep up with demand. At this point in the year, with school starting up again, the influx of tourists normally slows down. You would think if you threw in a global pandemic, that would happen even more so.
› REEF, a $1-billion ‘ghost kitchen’ startup, plans to hire 1,000 in Miami
REEF, the Miami-based technology and so-called ghost kitchen startup that has raised more than $1 billion, announced Monday a plan to hire more than 1,000 employees in the Miami area over the next three years. The roles will span the spectrum of the company, from kitchens and operations to corporate and research development. Kitchen employee wages start at $20 an hour.
› SeaWorld, Busch Gardens say roller coasters will open in 2022
Two long-awaited roller coasters have updated opening dates. SeaWorld Orlando’s Ice Breaker will debut in February 2022, followed by Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in March. Both thrill rides were delayed for months as the coronavirus pandemic continued, but both attractions also have looked completed from the ground for months. Both have had test runs that the public could observe.
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