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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida could get $5 billion for Everglades restoration soon, but there’s a catch
Florida lawmakers say a looming $1 trillion infrastructure bill has enough money in it to cover the federal government’s share of Everglades restoration projects — but the ultimate say on how the money is spent is up to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency that has long been a target of anger from Florida Republicans and Democrats alike. More from the Miami Herald.
Again facing prison crisis, Florida remains ‘white whale’ for criminal justice reformers
For more than a decade, Florida’s prison system has lurched through crisis after crisis — even before the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated its many shortcomings and corrections leaders warned that budget cuts could push the agency to collapse. Conditions at state prisons have only worsened in recent months, with the corrections department now facing its most severe staffing shortage in recorded history, which has already forced unwanted prison closures. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida’s monoclonal antibody plan cost $244.8 million in 2021
On Thursday, Florida officials gave a price tag to the state’s monoclonal antibody program for this year: $244 million in federal money. That’s how much it’s expected to cost to set up and operate 25 state-run monoclonal antibody sites. Once 2021 turns to 2022, state officials say they could need another $634.3 million in order to meet the demand for various antiviral treatments, including other monoclonal antibody therapies. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
More builds, supply chain issues lead to increase in construction thefts
As more people move to Southwest Florida, more new homes are going up. But with that, there is a spike in construction thefts. Construction thefts have always happened but there is an increase when the sector is busy . Issues with the supply chain are causing builds to take long, which means homes are sitting empty longer, making them a perfect target for thieves. More from WINK.
UPS looks to hire at least 800 seasonal employees in Orlando
The holiday season is upon us and getting ready for the increase in delivery and package services that UPS will be facing in the coming months, the company announced a hiring event that will last through Saturday. The company seeks to hire at least 60,000 seasonal employees in its annual ‘UPS Brown Friday’ event at locations across the country. In Orlando, UPS will continue to hire up to 800 additional seasonal employees. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of November 5th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Travel Trends
What’s the future of post-pandemic travel? Tampa airport plans to find out
Tampa International Airport is examining how the coronavirus pandemic has affected its growth and future development plans. Airport officials announced Thursday they will develop a new master plan. That will include conducting a comprehensive study of passenger projections for the next 20 years, airport capacity, and emerging trends and technologies. Electric air taxis, autonomous vehicles, biometric gate checks and touchless equipment are among the travel tools of the future, said airport adviser Pete Ricondo.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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