Wednesday's Afternoon Update
Florida’s prison population lowest in 15 years as intakes slow due to coronavirus
Florida’s prison population has dropped to a 15-year low in recent months, a dip likely only to be temporary and attributed to coronavirus restrictions that have halted or delayed the processing of criminal cases and the intake of new prisoners. As of last month, the Florida Department of Corrections recorded a population of 84,601 incarcerated people across its vast network of prisons, an almost 12% decrease from the prison population in 2019. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
New South Florida climate change financial report: Spend billions or lose much, much more
It’s going to cost billions to protect South Florida from climate change, that much has been clear for awhile. But a new study suggests that sticking our heads in the sand will cost far, far more. A new report commissioned by the South Florida Climate Compact found that if the region doesn’t adapt to climate change, the damage could exceed $38 billion by 2070. More from the Miami Herald.
Florida's Hispanics could decide the election
For decades, courting Florida's Hispanic vote mainly meant trying to sway Cubans who fled Fidel Castro's regime in the 1960's. They formed a mostly reliable Republican voting bloc - as did subsequent waves of people fleeing Socialism in places like Venezuela and Nicaragua. But Hurricane Maria blew hundreds of thousands of American citizens from Puerto Rico into tourism-related jobs in Orange and Osceola counties — jobs that have since evaporated because of the coronavirus pandemic. More from WJCT.
Regulators eye workers' comp rate cut
Florida insurance regulators Tuesday dug into the details of a proposal that calls for reducing workers’ compensation insurance rates next year by an average of 5.7 percent. The state Office of Insurance Regulation held a public hearing on the proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, which makes rate filings for the workers’ compensation insurance industry. While state and NCCI actuaries discussed details of the filing during the hour-long online hearing, no members of the public made comments. More from the News Service of Florida.
Miami Beach raises red flags over county’s monorail push
Miami-Dade County officials may soon take the next step toward developing a “mass-transit solution” in Miami Beach, but city administrators have some concerns. According to a memo to be addressed by Miami Beach commissioners today (10/15), county commissioners will consider on Oct. 20 legislation that would approve a two-step interim agreement with a consortium of firms that hope to create a monorail system from Miami to Miami Beach. More from Miami Today.
Business Profile
Suit up: Venerable menswear shop makes savvy moves to survive downturn
During nearly five decades spent working in the high-end retail clothing industry, Martin Shine, owner of Kirby's Men’s Wear in South Tampa, has never faced an existential threat like the coronavirus pandemic. The massive shift to remote work and cancellation of charity fundraisers and other black tie events has decimated sales at Kirby’s, which since 1959 has specialized in designer suits, formalwear, shoes, sportswear, ties and accessories. And yet, thanks to some shrewd inventory management and reduction of overhead costs on the part of Shine, 70, who bought the business from his father in 1984, the store is still standing.
» More from the Business Observer.
Event
Black Travel Summit hosts weekend webinar to talk travel
Traveling with kids, taking care of your mental health on the road, traveling while Black — these are some of the topics an upcoming webinar hosted by the Miami-based Black Travel Summit will highlight this weekend. The two-day virtual event will bring together 26 speakers from around the globe, including content creators and a director for the Seychelles Tourism Board. The event runs from Oct. 17-18 and is sponsored in part by the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.