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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Amid a U.S. teacher shortage, Florida turns to military veterans
So many Florida teachers have abandoned their profession in recent years that the state is inviting military veterans with no prior teaching experience to lead classrooms while they earn education credentials. Elsewhere across the United States as school resumed this August and September, districts have beamed virtual teachers into classrooms from several states away and offered bonuses to lure back retirees. More from Reuters.
Florida first responders begin receiving $1,000 bonuses
Nearly 100,000 first responders in Florida including firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and law enforcement officers at the municipal and county levels will receive a $1,000 bonus this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday. The bonus is the second of its kind – the first went out last year as a part of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s “Florida Essential First Responder Recognition Payment Program.” More from WUFT and WPTV.
On South Beach, surfers wary over artificial reef project. It’s all about saving the waves
Miami-Dade isn’t known for great surfing but one stretch of Miami Beach can be gnarly when conditions are right. Surfers worry an artificial reef project could disrupt the waves. The dispute, ironically, wound up pitting two nonprofit groups with ocean conservation agendas against each other. More from the Miami Herald.
Dozens of Florida layoffs planned by Minnesota tech company Deluxe Corp.
A publicly traded payments technology firm will lay off dozens of workers when it shutters its Seminole County office next year. Deluxe Corp. (NYSE: DLX) will cut 58 jobs at its Longwood office at 140 Wekiva Springs Road, according to a letter sent to the state on Sept. 8. The Minneapolis-based company expects to close its Longwood facility by Feb. 28, which is when the layoffs are expected to take effect. More from Orlando Inno.
Hard Rock, Seminole Gaming putting $100M toward big pay raises for hotel and casino workers
In a move driven partly by retention needs and a desire to reward loyalty, half of the U.S. workers employed by Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are getting pay raises, with some starting rates rising by 60%, the companies announced Monday. The increases are immediate for non-tipped current workers and new hires at company-managed hotels, casinos and cafes around the country. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Arts Business
High-tech, immersive art show 'Beyond Van Gogh' debuts in downtown Jacksonville this weekend
You don't need to know anything about art history to recognize Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night." At a new "immersive" art show opening this week in downtown Jacksonville, you'll be able to actually get inside the famed painting, and 300 or so of the 19th-century Dutch master's most famous works. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience opens Friday in what used to be First Baptist Church of Jacksonville’s main auditorium on Beaver Street in downtown Jacksonville.
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
Business Profile
Lifelong medical challenges inspire growth of Amelia Island Microgreens
Connor Hiebel, 17, of Fernandina Beach, combines his business acumen with a commitment to healthy eating through his business Amelia Island Microgreens, which started in 2020. Microgreens are nutrition-packed seedlings of vegetables and herbs that typically grow within a week to 10 days. They can be eaten on their own or added to salads, smoothies and other foods.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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