Jobless claims continue downward trend
First-time jobless claims declined in Florida for a third consecutive week, following a spike last month when nearly 5,000 Spirit Airlines workers were laid off in the state when the carrier shut down operations. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,167 initial unemployment applications were filed in Florida last week, down from a revised count of 5,970 the week ending May 23. The numbers fell from 8,164 the week ending May 9, when the layoffs by the Dania Beach-based passenger air carrier were announced, to 6,224 the week ending May 16. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of June 5th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by associate editor Brian Hartz.
'Flesh-eating' worms making way to Texas. Could they come to Florida?
Floridians already have the threat of Vibrio vulnificus, the so-called "flesh-eating bacteria," to worry about. Do we have to worry about "flesh-eating" worms now , too? Not exactly, but it might be worth tracking them. New World screwworm are making their way to Texas, decades after they were eradicated in the United States. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
The hidden danger of Florida's invasive lizards
Scientists have been hypothesizing that Peter's rock agamas preying on anoles could lead to more mosquito bites and dangerous viruses for us all. Invasive brown anoles inflict their own ills on our ecosystems. For one, this Cuban native nudges out native lizards. But when mosquitoes fill up on brown anole blood — as those wily little lizards sleep — the skeeters don't feed as much on us. So ostensibly, the risk of infecting us with West Nile or some other potentially deadly virus decreases. [Source: Florida Today]
Tropical activity picking up in Pacific. What's happening in Atlantic?
The arrival of hurricane season felt real this week with the formation of the first named storm of the season. Fortunately for Florida, Tropical Storm Amanda is over open water in the eastern Pacific. In the Atlantic basin, conditions remain quiet, with nothing expected to develop over the next two to seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› St. Petersburg votes to evaluate leaving Duke Energy Florida
The St. Petersburg City Council voted to move forward with a study to analyze the practicalities of leaving Duke Energy for citywide electricity services. The down-to-the-wire vote after hours of resident comments marked the city’s most significant step yet toward potentially dropping the monopoly utility company and forming a city-run electric utility.
› Stephen Ross donation brings exclusive private school to West Palm
The private Pine Crest School is expanding to West Palm Beach to create its third South Florida campus, thanks to a large but undisclosed gift from real estate developer Stephen Ross. The new campus brings a top-tier K-12 preparatory school to a city bursting with growth from new residents, companies and institutions.
› California wealth management giant acquires $1.1B Clearwater firm
A California-based wealth management firm is growing its Florida footprint with a $1.1 billion acquisition of Flaharty Asset Management in Clearwater. Modern Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm based in Monterey, California, announced the purchase Wednesday. The deal closed May 29.
› Boat manufacturer relocates headquarters from Georgia to South Florida
A boat maker previously based outside of Augusta will relocate its headquarters to a new South Florida warehouse. Adrenaline Powerboats International Inc. signed a seven-year lease for 50,000 square feet in the Palmetto Station Logistics Center, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Miami. The company is scheduled to move in by Sept. 1.
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› Duos Technologies says APR Energy sold
Duos Technologies Group Inc., which has been managing assets for APR Energy, said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that APR’s assets have been sold. Jacksonville-based Duos owned a 5% interest in APR’s business and said in the May 28 filing it received net proceeds of about $50.4 million from the sale of APR, indicating the total price of the sale was about $1 billion.
› Free 'sandless sandbags' being handed out by this Florida city
The city of Miami Beach is distributing free "sandless sandbags" to assist residents with hurricane preparations. The bags are prefilled with silica gel beads that expand upon contact with water, according to a post by the city. A maximum of four bags will be distributed per household while supplies last.
› Why trees are disappearing at Sarasota Bayfront Park
A portion of downtown Sarasota's Bayfront Park is fenced off and several trees have been removed, drawing attention from visitors and locals who frequent one of the city's most iconic green spaces and sunset-viewing destinations. The City of Sarasota confirmed Wednesday, June 3, that the work is connected to a seawall maintenance project.
› Cocoa and Rockledge police hold gun buyback
Just a day after a deadly shooting a short drive from Cocoa’s jurisdiction, police and church leaders will buy back guns to get weapons off the streets. Both Cocoa and Rockledge police, hoping to prevent potential tragedies, shootings and thefts, are working with longtime community advocate Jarvis Wash to host the drive-up buyback on Friday, June 5.