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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida now has the lowest rate of daily COVID cases per capita of any other state
After a record-breaking COVID-19 surge over the summer, Florida now has lowest rate of average daily cases per capita in the U.S., according to data from the state Department of Health. An average of eight new coronavirus cases are reported for every 100,000 people in Florida, the data shows. Alaska continues to lead the nation in the rate of new cases with 94 per 100,000, followed by Montana with 75. By late in the summer, Florida was reporting an average of more than 300 cases per 100,000 residents. The rate peaked on Sept. 1 at 385. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Nemours CEO: Improving children's health 'inextricably linked' to growing Florida economy
Jacksonville-based Nemours Children's Health has partnered with the Florida Chamber of Commerce to help build the state economy by building a healthy future workforce. Florida currently has the 15th largest economy in the world. To meet the chamber goal of improving to 10th by 2030 requires improving the lives of today's children, particularly those who live in poverty and have limited access to health care, Nemours President and CEO R. Lawrence Moss said. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Tampa Bay’s hotel occupancy tops in U.S. compared to before pandemic
Tampa Bay still isn’t packing hotel beds at the same rate it did before the pandemic. But lately, compared to other cities and markets, it’s doing better than anyone. For the third straight week, Tampa Bay has ranked No. 1 among the nation’s top 25 travel markets when comparing hotel occupancy rates to 2019, according to hospitality data and analytics firm STR. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Boca Raton wants to cut 15% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2025
Boca Raton this week set a new target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 15% during the next three years. The effort to address the root cause of climate change comes at an important time. The coastal city – which is vulnerable to many climate change impacts, including high heat, rainwater flooding, tidal flooding, and storm surge – released almost 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018, according to its most recent Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. More from the Palm Beach Post.
Orlando’s ITEC Entertainment acquired by group specializing in live events
ITEC Entertainment, an Orlando-based amusement company that works extensively with theme parks, has been acquired by the TAIT global group, a Pennsylvania-based company that develops live entertainment and events. The acquisition allows TAIT to “establish a presence” in ITEC’s headquarters off South John Young Parkway and Sand Lake Road, though TAIT spokeswoman Jayna Zelman said current employees would not be moving to Orlando. Terms of the deal announced Thursday, were not disclosed. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of October 29th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Profile
Tampa’s Andrew McNamara is a wine expert, like only 14 others on the planet
Imagine you’re in Tampa’s Cru Cellars. You’re sharing a glass with one of the planet’s foremost wine experts, not only one of 269 Master Sommeliers in the world but one of 15 who passed the exam on the first try. He lives in South Tampa with his wife, Emily Pickral, who also is a Master Sommelier. And after getting laid off during the pandemic, he’s rebuilding.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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