Wednesday's Afternoon Update
How South Florida got one step ahead of the state's hepatitis A outbreak
Florida is one of more than two dozen U.S. states dealing with an outbreak of Hepatitis A. To date, Florida is reporting 2,675 cases of the highly contagious virus. If left untreated, it can cause liver damage. In response, Florida's Surgeon General Scott Rivkees declared a public health emergency for all counties in August. While South Florida is one of the most highly populated areas of the state, it has fewer Hep A infections than other regions in Florida. More from WJCT.
Florida Attorney General calls open primaries amendment ‘misleading’
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will argue against a proposed constitutional amendment that would open up the state’s primary elections to independent voters. The proposal would create just one primary election for all races for governor, the Legislature and the Cabinet, with Democratic and Republican candidates appearing on the same ballot. Any registered voters could participate. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Coral Gables appeals styrofoam ban to Florida Supreme Court
The City of Coral Gables is working to bring an August order by Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal before the state Supreme Court. The Third DCA issued an opinion on Aug. 14 ruling Coral Gables’ local ordinance banning the sale and use of polystyrene — a plastic foam generally used to store food and widely known as its branded iteration Styrofoam — could not be enforced under existing state law. More from the Daily Business Review.
Orlando going to $15 minimum wage for full- and part-time employees, Mayor Buddy Dyer says
Nearly 300 full- and part-time Orlando city employees will see their pay increased to a minimum of $15 per hour over the next couple of years, Mayor Buddy Dyer said Tuesday. The increases are for all full- and part-time city employees who make less than $15 per hour and will be looped into contracts for the Service Employees International Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America and International Association of Fire Fighters. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Hollywood taxpayers stuck spending millions on extra pension payouts
Taxpayers are on the hook for millions thanks to Hollywood’s rare but lucrative retirement perk — one offered by only five cities in the state. Known as the 13th check, it’s a payout that comes due in years when the pension funds do well. In 2016, the 13th check payouts cost Hollywood $9 million. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Transportation
Miami gives scooters two more months in trial
Scooters can remain on city of Miami at least a bit longer. With the first six months of a pilot program wrapped up, the Miami City Commission last week voted to renew the scooter program two more months. The second iteration has added measures to address safety concerns, as emphasized by Chairman Ken Russell, whose district will continue being the sole area of scooter operation in the city.
» More from Miami Today.
Out of the Box
These five Publix locations probably look nothing like your neighborhood store
You’ve probably been inside your neighborhood Publix so many times you can walk the aisles with your eyes closed. The one a few towns over probably isn’t all that hard to navigate, either. They all kind of look the same, right? But what if, also, no? Take a look at some of the most atypical Publix locations across the Lakeland grocer’s seven-state turf. Some made the old new again, while others were designed to make a statement.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.