Florida reports more coronavirus cases, but growth appears to be slowing

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus continued to tick upward in Florida’s latest update Tuesday morning. But the growth rate in cases appears to be slowing in the Sunshine State — some potentially hopeful news amid social distancing and “safer at home” guidelines that have disrupted many Floridians’ ways of life. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

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» Florida reports record increase in coronavirus deaths

New webpage to help farmers keep Florida going

The state is taking steps to help farmers who are getting hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services set up a webpage to #KeepFloridaGoing. It features a list where agriculture producers can list their products for buyers, food banks, and consumers. See the announcement here and read more from CBS 12.

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» Florida a powerhouse when it comes to produce

Florida warns of Apalachicola River’s ‘doom’ if Georgia isn’t forced to release more water to it

Warning that a special master’s recommendation would “spell doom” for the Apalachicola River, Florida wants the U.S. Supreme Court to require Georgia to share more water in a river system that links the two states. Florida filed a 65-page brief Monday asking the Supreme Court to reject a December recommendation by Special Master Paul Kelly, who said Florida has not adequately shown that Georgia’s water use caused problems in the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay. More from the Orlando Sentinel and WJHG.

Blue blazers and flip flops? Florida Supreme Court to hold May arguments via Zoom

Florida’s highest court will hear oral arguments next month via teleconference, an effort to move cases along while maintaining social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The May 6 oral arguments will occur via a Zoom meeting, the court announced Tuesday. The remote meeting is the first time in the court’s 160-year history that arguments will not be conducted in person. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida airports awarded more than $896 million in aid due to the coronavirus pandemic

Florida airports will receive more than $896 million to help offset the financial impact of the coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday. Miami International Airport will be awarded the highest amount in the state with nearly $207 million followed by Orlando International at roughly $170 million. Larger airports won’t be the only ones receiving the much-needed influx of cash. The funds will be distributed to each of Florida’s 100 airports, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami Lakes law firm paid $11.5M for new headquarters. It’s staying in the neighborhood [Miami Herald]
While the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting businesses everywhere, one law firm has just closed on the multi-million dollar purchase of a new headquarters in Miami Lakes. The personal injury firm Ward Law Group acquired a new headquarters for $11.5 million on Friday from Miami Lakes Commons LLC, according to Jany Martinez-Ward, the firm’s head of the pre-litigation practice group.

› Tampa Bay area coffee company teams with supermodel [Business Observer]
Kahwa Coffee Roasters, headquartered in St. Petersburg, has formed a strategic partnership with kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW), a brand marketing firm launched by supermodel, actress and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland that generates billions of dollars in annual retail sales.

› JIA, related businesses struggle to cope with drastic loss of air travel [Florida Times-Union]
With shelter-in-place orders in most states and a halt to almost all recreational travel, JIA is no different from every other large American airport. Business, even on a holiday weekend, is dismal.

› One Florida Bank fires back at Seacoast’s lawsuit over employees who jumped ship [Orlando Sentinel]
After raising more than $100 million last year — an unprecedented amount in Central Florida’s community bank industry — newly formed One Florida Bank wanted to recruit bankers to grow business, its leaders said in defense of a federal lawsuit filed by a rival. One Florida executives said they recruited a dozen Seacoast commercial bankers who were unhappy at their jobs and were not tied down with non-compete clauses to work for them, according to court records.

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› Brevard County: Competing arguments raised over how to enforce hotel restrictions [Florida Today]
County commissioners are in agreement that local hotels shouldn't be renting rooms to tourists now — a measure implemented April 3 as a way to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But they don't agree on the best way to enforce that rule, and whether the hotels or their guests should be legally responsible for a violation of the rule. And neither do local hotel operators.

› The Melting Pot in St. Petersburg has closed [Tampa Bay Times]
After more than 32 years in business, St. Petersburg’s The Melting Pot has closed. The national chain franchise made the announcement through email and on social media Monday and said the owners of the long-running Fourth Street N location had decided to sell the property.

› Stay-at-home order spurs cleaner air in Central Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Polluted skies of cities in the U.S. and other nations have cleared up, dramatically in some areas and perhaps temporarily in all cases, as the new coronavirus has stalled power plants, factories and traffic. In Central Florida, what’s happening to the environment isn’t as stark, but there are small and early indications of how staying home to thwart the coronavirus spread makes a difference for air, sewage and trash.

› Making downtown Jacksonville greener [Florida Times-Union]
The Cathedral District is moving forward with the city of Jacksonville to make downtown greener. Last week they initiated their arborist’s plan to plant about 60 trees in the district for Easter weekend. Working with the city, the district secured a master arborist plan to plant as many trees as possible in the rights-of-way.