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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida redistricting battle begins, with control of Congress potentially in the balance
The balance of power in Florida, and maybe even in Washington, lies in the hands of 160 state lawmakers who have already begun the process to redraw congressional and legislative boundaries. Redistricting is inherently political, as any change in the lines can mean the difference between winning or losing a U.S. House or legislative seat. That’s especially true in Florida, a historic swing state whose constant population surges mean the 2020 U.S. Census data used to capture the changes will reshuffle the political calculus. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Overdoses increased during pandemic. Will Florida’s legislators take action?
State lawmakers are returning to Tallahassee to prepare for the 2022 legislative session at an inflection point of the opioid crisis. Flush with federal cash from lawsuits and pandemic relief aid, elected officials will be forced to find solutions to a long-simmering public health disaster that boiled over during the coronavirus pandemic. More from the Miami Herald.
In Clearwater, Latino business owners feel effects of pandemic
The five business sectors most impacted by the pandemic account for almost half of the revenues of Latino-owned businesses, according to a McKinsey report. Those sectors include hospitality, retail, transportation, construction and a catchall “other” category of assorted business sectors. In Clearwater, on a stretch of Drew Street where many businesses are owned by Mexican immigrants, the business owners feel these effects. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Hearing set on workers' comp insurance rates
Florida regulators will hold a public hearing next week on a proposal that could reduce average workers’ compensation insurance rates next year by 4.9 percent. The state Office of Insurance Regulation has scheduled the hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 14, according to the agency’s website. The National Council on Compensation Insurance, which makes workers’ compensation rate filings for insurers, proposed the average reduction in August. More from the News Service of Florida.
Some Florida cities cut recycling, citing worker shortages
Residents across Jacksonville found overflowing bins at recycling drop-off sites after the city suspended its curbside recycling program due to a shortage of workers. The city opened 14 drop-off sites for recycling in an effort to allow waste haulers to focus on picking up regulary trash and yard wast, Mayor Lenny Curry announced last week. A similar suspension of curbside recycling began Monday in nearby St. Augustine. Officials say it is due to a nationwide shortage of workers in the waste collection industry. More from the AP.
Business Profile
La Croisette brings breakfast back to St. Pete Beach
Regulars welcomed the return of La Croisette, which opened in 1986 and closed shortly after the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Besides the ownership and some cosmetic touchups, not much has changed. For more than three decades, everyone knew the spot on the corner of Corey Avenue and Gulf Boulevard as Beverly’s La Croisette, or, simply, Beverly’s.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Events
15 biggest comedians coming to Florida in October, November and December
In these turbulent times, one thing we can almost always use is a good laugh. Luckily, we live in an era of peak stand-up, with seemingly every comedian having specials on Netflix or other streaming services, and many hosting podcasts with hours of additional material. And as touring live entertainment makes its return and performing arts centers start holding seasons again, many comics are hitting the road, including Florida.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
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