Florida releases unemployment numbers: 1.5 million claims filed, just 40,193 paid

Just 40,193 Floridians who have filed for unemployment since March 15 have received their benefits, according to a new website the state launched Monday. That’s less than 3 percent of the more than 1.5 million claims filed since mid March when the state saw a record surge in people thrown out of work because of the coronavirus. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WJXT.

One month after dining rooms closed, Florida restaurants are devastated, uncertain

On the afternoon of March 20, DeSantis ordered dining rooms statewide to close in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order allows restaurants to offer takeout and delivery only. Dining rooms could remain closed through May 8 or longer. The move, while "flattening the curve," has devastated the industry. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]

Column: Relationships are key to business survival during pandemic

Being in daily contact with businesses navigating their way through the impacts of COVID-19, our team at the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. hears firsthand the challenges facing business owners and employees. We also hear inspiring examples of problem-solving and generosity. If there’s one word that sums up how businesses are coping, it’s “relationships.” [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Deepwater Horizon anniversary spurs call for 'clean' energy

Environmentalists and some lawmakers are pushing for more alternative energy as the nation marks the 10th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. But those same alternative-energy backers fear the need to reinvigorate the economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic could ramp up efforts by President Donald Trump to expand oil drilling in federal waters around Florida. [Source: WLRN]

Gas prices in Florida continue at their lowest level in four years

The average price per gallon Sunday in Florida was $1.82, the lowest since March 2016. The entire state is now below $2. “Gas prices continue moving lower as COVID-related state lockdowns keep Americans off the road, leading to lower demand for gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. [Source: NorthEscambia.com]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Disney plans Earth Week ‘at-home,’ names newborn zebra [Orlando Sentinel]
Walt Disney World is marking Earth Week with a selection of “at-home” activities and a peak at its newest zebra addition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Disney attractions have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the company has been releasing online content for entertainment and educational purposes.

› St. Pete Pride reschedules for the fall [Tampa Bay Times]
St. Pete Pride, which bills itself as the largest LGBTQ Pride celebration in Florida, has been rescheduled for sometime in the fall. The parade and celebration weekend was originally scheduled for June 26-28, but concerns over social distancing and COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, forced the delay

› Distributor delivers thousands of cans of energy, coffee drinks to hospitals [Business Observer]
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing delivered 4,000 cans of Hi-Ball Energy Drink and Hi-Ball Cold Brew Coffee to five area hospitals. According to a press release, the Sarasota-based company delivered 4,000 cans to each location: Blake Medical Center, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Venice Regional Bayfront Health.

› Fire safety inspectors take on new roles in coronavirus fight [Orlando Sentinel]
As many workers find themselves furloughed in light coronavirus shutting down businesses, some Orange County employees are being repurposed, such as inspectors of the fire marshal’s office. Jennifer Corbin is a fire marshal inspector, but this week she was in the control room of Orange County Fire Rescue’s dispatch center.

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› FHSAA cancels Florida high school sports season [Florida Times-Union]
The Florida High School Athletic Association announced Monday that it is canceling the remainder of the high school athletic season across the state due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cancellation applies to the remainder of the regular season as well as all postseason competition for the 2019-20 school year.

› Beeper, Gatorland celebrate baby emu’s 1st birthday [Orlando Sentinel]
Little Beeper is practically all grown up. The emu, hatched a year ago at Gatorland, now stands about 5 feet tall, and she doesn’t beep any more. But the big bird is happy when hanging around people in the Orlando attraction’s petting zoo, says Danielle Lucas, animal-care director.

› What do drag queens do for work during the coronavirus? ‘Sew and iron all the masks’ [Miami Herald]
With bars and nightclubs shut down in Key West, even drag queens are looking for work. Many have found it. The performers are not sitting idle during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re making masks. Led by Gary “Sushi” Marion, the drag queen who drops from inside a giant red shoe every New Year’s Eve on Duval Street — a favorite shoot for CNN — the 13 801 Bourbon Bar performers have made about 3,500 face masks so far.

› Open road syndrome? Tampa Bay speeds up during the crisis [Tampa Bay Times]
No, it’s not your imagination: Speeds have increased by at least 7 percent through early this week, according to more than a month’s worth of data collected by the city’s red light camera vendor from 54 cameras. Most drivers who blow through red lights are speeding.