SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
AAA: Holiday travel to surge this year, with top destinations in Florida, California
"Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant," Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. "With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel." [Source: The Center Square]
Florida adds nearly 13,000 new COVID cases, largest jump since Sept. 11
Over the past week, Florida is averaging 8,605 new cases per day, the CDC data shows, a significant spike after that number hovered below 2,000 from late October through early December. Testing is up, as can be seen from the long lines at sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in recent days. The new-case positivity rate also doubled last week as compared to the week before. [Source: WPLG]
Gambling appeal in Florida case dropped
In October, a U.S. District Judge ruled that pari-mutuels did not have standing to sue Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration over the gambling agreement. The governor negotiated the deal with tribal leaders, and lawmakers approved it during a May special session. The pari-mutuels filed separate legal challenges in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. The Washington case was filed against the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees Indian gambling issues. In November, Washington-based U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich decided the deal violated a federal law known as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Developers reveal grand plans for $185 million Riverside Wharf
Riverside Wharf will be a hospitality-driven entertainment complex situated along the historic Miami River that will push the limits of what is known today as hospitality in Miami. The 200,000-square-foot, two-tower development will offer a fully immersive Miami experience anchored by the highly amenitized 165-key Dream Miami luxury hotel. The complex will feature the rebirth and expansion of The Wharf Miami, 16,000 square feet of signature restaurants, and a 12,000-square-foot event hall. [Source: PROFILEmiami and MiamiToday]
Options weighed for new South Florida area code
With a Dec. 28 deadline for public comments to the state Public Service Commission, three alternatives were put forward Tuesday for a new area code that would relieve the 305 and 786 area codes in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. The alternatives were offered by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, an agency that oversees area codes. Two of the alternatives would impact Broward County. [Source: WFOR]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tech startup funding to Blacks, Latinos ticks up in Miami after investor influx
Black and Hispanic tech startup funding ticked up in Florida and Georgia this year, following an influx of investors fleeing California and efforts by some venture capitalists to focus on minority founders in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
› More lenders and sellers accepting Cryptocurrency
Your buyer wants to go to closing using cryptocurrency? You don’t have to be a technology expert, but it helps to know the language. Here are the basics.
› Tampa Bay film incentives bring another movie to the area
‘The Throwback’ is about a mother who wakes up believing it is 25 years ago and she is still a college party girl.
The producers behind The Throwback wanted their movie to be made in Tampa Bay, where they met more than two decades ago.
› Railroad crossing safety features beefed up as snowbirds flood Florida
With more people in town for the holidays or escaping the cold up north, Brightline is taking a look at safety along their railroad crossings.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
