Florida welfare benefits unchanged since 1997 but number in need has only grown alongside inflation
The unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 paused work requirements for Florida welfare beneficiaries. Now in 2022, those halts on work requirements are gone, but the economic upheaval has continued, with inflation reaching historic highs and solutions still in progress. While the state’s population, economy, and industries have changed, the welfare benefits have not. [Source: WFLA]
30 years ago Andrew upended Florida, but current legal storm may be worse
In part, Andrew was seen by some as a wake-up call for Florida, a chance to reshape the state’s property insurance market in ways that could protect insureds and insurers alike, for years to come. Three decades later, insurance industry leaders agree that the pain of Andrew led to some positive developments, including innovative new companies and new capital entering the Florida market, improved hurricane modeling and beefed-up construction materials and building codes. But many Floridians are now caught in a new cyclone, a man-made storm of epic proportions, as damaging in its own way as Andrew was physically. [Source: Innsurance Journal]
State argues for Seminole gambling deal
Pointing to “enormous economic benefits,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office Wednesday urged a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling that blocked a gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe. Lawyers in Moody’s office filed a 32-page brief at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, arguing that a district judge erred last year when she ruled that the deal ran afoul of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which regulates gambling on tribal lands. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Biden to forgive up to $20,000 on student loans, affecting millions of Floridians
Florida’s student borrowers have the fifth-highest debt burden in the nation, owing more than $38,000 in federal loans on average, according to the Education Data Initiative. That debt is not equally split among the state’s residents. One-third of borrowers owe less than $10,000 and could see their student debt disappear entirely after Wednesday’s announcement. For another 10% who owe more than $100,000, the news comes as only minor relief. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Top U.S. cruise lines set to allow passengers without COVID-19 shots on most voyages
Starting in early September, all three of the world’s largest cruise lines — Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line — will be allowing passengers on board who haven’t been inoculated, with some exceptions for longer cruises and to adhere to local guidelines in certain ports of call. All three Miami-based cruise companies are continuing to require that unvaccinated people show a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, but are scrapping the requirement for people inoculated against the pandemic disease. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Lake Sue’s no-swim alert due to algae toxin lifted after 6 months
Lake Sue is now safe for swimming and skiing, ending a period of six months during which Orlando, Winter Park and Orange County warned against recreation in the 143-acre aquatic playground because of concentrations of algae toxins that exceeded health limits. Orlando officials on Tuesday reported that the Florida Department of Health lifted its health alert for Lake Sue after no longer detecting excessive levels of a type of a toxin called microcystin that is emitted by blue-green algae.
› Jacksonville business could move regional HQ to St. Johns County if development is approved
A food distributor could soon move its regional headquarters from Jacksonville to rural St. Johns County if commissioners approve of a proposed development. And while it would bring more jobs to the area, some are opposed to losing more agricultural land in St. Johns County. The proposal is tentatively scheduled to go before the County Commission on Sept. 20, and commissioners will consider sending the land-use change proposal to state review.
› Ever wanted a job at Tampa’s zoo? Here’s your chance.
Tampa’s zoo is on the hunt for a new crew. ZooTampa at Lowry Park will host a job fair Tuesday in which it aims to hire 50 to 100 workers in a variety of fields, from back-of-house accounting and technology jobs to concessions and landscaping workers. The zoo isn’t necessarily looking for sloth and koala handlers, although it does have current job openings for animal care specialists.
› Frost Science to open national coral reef conservancy
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) is set to create the first national coral reef conservancy, focused on education and research. Funded by a bipartisan, congressionally directed funding project, which is part of the latest omnibus appropriations bill, Frost Science will receive $1.15 million to go toward the coral reef conservancy named ReeFLorida.
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› PortMiami dredging study years off as Army Engineers fall short
The long-awaited US Army Corps of Engineers study to evaluate widening and deepening the harbor of PortMiami is now due in June 2026. Results were initially expected this fall, but after the team behind the analysis ran out of time and funds, it requested an added $4.48 million and 57 months to carry the study forward.
› Monat Global relocates headquarters
Monat Global, a health care, skin care and wellness product seller, recently moved its headquarters into 54,000 square feet in Doral. Matthew Cheezem and Tyler Reynolds of Cushman & Wakefield represented both Monat Global and the landlord, New Jersey-based UBS Financial Services, in the deal. The move was needed to accommodate the company's growth, a spokeswoman for the company said.
› Restaurant holding company fills newly created vice president roles
WOWorks, a St. Petersburg-based restaurant holding company whose brands include Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, has tapped Cole Thompson, a classically trained chef, to fill the newly created role of vice president of culinary. According to a news release, Thompson was educated at Johnson & Wales University’s culinary school and has more than 15 years of experience in various aspects of the food industry.
› Jacksonville-area unemployment rate dips slightly in July
The Jacksonville area unemployment rate was 2.8% in July 2022, down 0.1 percentage points from June’s 2.9% but down 1.5 percentage points from the June 2021 rate of 4.3%, according to the August data release. The unemployment rate in the Jacksonville area includes Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.