Florida’s delinquent mortgages trigger fears of housing meltdown

Rising mortgage delinquency rates in Florida are raising fears that the coronavirus pandemic will lead to a foreclosure crisis as bad if not worse than the one that followed the 2008 housing crash. Some experts are optimistic that far fewer homeowners will lose their homes to foreclosure if effective treatments and a vaccine are developed by early next year. Others see historically high unemployment rates leading to a wave of foreclosures, plummeting home prices and economic misery. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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» Over 2,600 evictions filed in Florida since April, a harbinger of what’s to come once moratorium ends

Record shattering 8,942 new COVID-19 cases in Florida on Friday

The state of Florida has reported record high spikes in the number of new COVID-19 cases for the last couple of weeks, and on Friday it added another 8,942 cases. That number is now the highest single-day jump in new coronavirus cases in Florida since tracking began in March, eclipsing Wednesday's previous record of 5,508 new cases, according to data from the Department of Health. More from WTSP and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Florida Supreme Court affirms governor’s emergency powers during pandemic

Florida’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday against a former used-car salesman and restaurant employee who challenged the authority of Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue virus-related shutdown orders. The decision affirms that DeSantis has broad emergency powers under state law to protect public health and safety. The ruling said the pandemic was a “natural emergency” under Florida’s emergency management law, and DeSantis was within his rights when he closed restaurants and bars earlier this year, among other actions. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Tampa businesses say mask orders put enforcement burden on low-wage workers

The Hillsborough County mask order in particular, which went into force Wednesday evening, calls for businesses and their employees to not only deny entry to those without masks but “require or compel” those mask-less patrons to leave. Failure to do so could mean a $500 fine or up to two months in jail. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Apple closing all South Florida stores again due to rising Florida coronavirus cases

All stand-alone Apple stores in South Florida will be temporarily shut down again due to Florida’s surging number of coronavirus cases over the past two weeks, according to reports. On Friday, Apple will re-close 14 stores in Florida, including all stores in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the company said in a statement to CNBC. This comes after two Southwest Florida stores, in Naples and Estero, were closed again on Wednesday. More from the Miami Herald.