What the end of the COVID public health emergency means for Florida
Today marks the end of the federal COVID public health emergency. Although most emergency orders across Florida have already expired, a number of health care changes that both local providers and patients have grown used to during the pandemic will disappear. The public health emergency expiration also cuts off a pipeline of data that tallied the pandemic's human toll and offered a view of how the stealthy virus spread. More from Axios and the Tampa Bay Times.
'People aren't showing up to work,' South Florida workers already feeling heat of immigration bill
Construction workers say many employees have not showed up to work because they fear deportation. Critics say Florida Senate Bill 1718 is to blame. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, businesses could face a $10,000 fine for every undocumented employee and the state could revoke their business license. [Source: CBS Miami]
Disney CEO asks: Does Florida want our tax dollars, or not?
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger on Wednesday accused Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida GOP legislators of misleading the public and singling out his company for “retaliation,” and made a veiled threat that the company’s investment in the state may be at stake. “Our plans were to invest $17 billion over the next 10 years, which is what the state should want us to do,’’ Iger said during Disney’s second quarter earnings call, referring to the previously announced investment in the past tense. [Source: Miami Herald]
A new program will provide Florida first responders with free naloxone
An initiative launched by Attorney General Ashley Moody will provide Florida's first responders with free naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The “Helping Heroes” program will provide naloxone to law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics at select Walmart pharmacies in Florida, according to a press release from the attorney general‘s office. Moody announced the initiative Tuesday – on National Fentanyl Awareness Day – in Clearwater. [Source: WFSU]
Climate change scrambles the Florida Keys
Climate change is making it more dangerous — and much more expensive — to live on the subtropical islands at the southern tip of Florida. Extreme heat, tidal flooding and severe hurricanes are driving out longtime residents of the Florida Keys and driving up the cost of basic needs: rent, food, water, power and gasoline. That has meant the departure of more low- and middle-income residents, many of whom work the service and labor jobs undergirding the Keys’ multibillion-dollar tourism industry. [Source: Politico]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 99-year Miami Riverbridge hotel lease faces city vote
Lease negotiations for the Hyatt hotel in downtown Miami are expected to be final this week, clearing the way for construction of new high-end accommodations and a reimagined riverfront. Today (5/11), the Miami City Commission is to vote on whether to amend the ground lease for the existing Hyatt Regency Hotel at 400 SE Second Ave., allowing for the proposed Miami Riverbridge to rise at the property. The mixed-use project would provide over $1 billion in increased revenue for the city and include a modernized hotel with event and retail space, apartments and an improved public walkway along the Miami River.
› Jaguars practice facility officially named Miller Electric Center
Jacksonville City Council approved emergency legislation May 9 to officially name the new Jacksonville Jaguars practice facility and team office complex adjacent to TIAA Bank Field as the Miller Electric Center. The emergency action was explained as necessary because the facility is nearing completion and ready for use.
› Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton to close July 29 after 84 years in Florida citrus industry
Mixon Fruit Farms is a Florida relic. Today, the combination farm, store, and restaurant enterprise in Bradenton is owned and operated by Dean and Janet Mixon, but after decades in operation, the Mixons will be closing the business at the end of July. The citrus farm and former orange juice manufacturer has been known in Manatee County for generations, but its well-known store, petting zoo, and family fruit farm could be redeveloped once the Mixon family closes the doors this summer.
› Change is coming to Hollywood’s main street — for drivers, pedestrians and businesses
A $14.5 million construction project that began this week intends to transform Hollywood’s entertainment district into a corridor that puts pedestrians over vehicles. But before the transformation, comes the mess: workers, heavy machinery, dust and a possible impact on business. Several years ago, a major street redo just to the west forced out several businesses, including a popular Italian market.
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› Pilot program to phase out single-use plastics fails to get traction
Doing something about single-use plastics in Florida, and those products’ detrimental effects on the environment, remains a tough task as bills that would do so once again failed to receive committee hearings during the latest Legislative Session. Islamorada Republican Rep. Jim Mooney and Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez filed bills (HB 363, SB 336) that would’ve allowed coastal communities to run pilot programs to regulate single-use plastics with an eye toward discouraging their use.
› Alachua Commission approve $3M settlement after halting housing project
Alachua County commissioners have decided to settle with a nonprofit, voting unanimously in unison with community members, to pay $2.9 million to halt an affordable housing project and purchase the land initially meant for development. Commissioners approved the payout to the Jacksonville-based group Ability Housing after first agreeing but later rejecting a $25-million, 96-unit complex development − dubbed Dogwood Village − in southeast Gainesville.
› New protect Florida panthers specialty license plate coming
One of Florida’s original specialty license plates is getting a makeover this year as the “Protect the Panther” tag is getting its third design since its inception in 1991. The new plate will feature a photo taken by Carlton Ward Jr. in 2018 showing a female panther and her kitten. Florida panthers are listed as endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act with only an estimated 120-230 adult panthers left in the wild, mostly in Southwest Florida, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
› Economic development exec moves from Virginia to Tampa
Mitchel Allen, a former executive with the Greater Richmond Partnership in Virginia, has been named senior vice president at the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. Allen, 36, will oversee economic development at the agency. His first day was May 8. According to a statement issued by the local economic development group, in his role as executive vice president of business development in Richmond his team attracted 13 new businesses bringing in 4,800 jobs, $1.5 billion in capital investments and 4.6 million square feet of commercial real estate to the city and local counties.