Florida members of Congress condemn Capitol attack as ‘coup’, ‘third world anarchy’

Florida members of Congress condemned the violent attack on the Capitol building by thousands of pro-President Trump extremists Wednesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a key supporter of the president, denounced the storming but did not condemn Trump’s role in inciting it. “Violence or rioting of any kind is unacceptable and the perpetrators must face the full weight of the law,” DeSantis said in a statement. “The Capitol Police do an admirable job and I thank them for their hard work.” More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, the Center Square, and the South Florids Sun-Sentinel.

See also:
» ‘All hell broke out’: South Florida congresswoman barricaded herself in room for five hours during Capitol riot
» Scott votes to decertify Pennsylvania electors; Rubio doesn’t

Florida is fast becoming the second home for Wall Street

It's a cliche that New Yorkers move to sunny Florida when they retire. This trope is being updated. Now top Wall Street, hedge funds and financial services firms are moving out of New York and relocating or opening up offices in the Sunshine State. The absence of a state income tax, plus warm weather and a business-friendly mindset, has already prompted hedge fund billionaires and native New Yorkers Paul Singer and Carl Icahn to relocate their respective businesses to Florida. [Source: Forbes]

Select Publix pharmacies in Florida to offer COVID-19 vaccine

A limited number of COVID-19 vaccines are on the way to select Publix pharmacies in Florida. According to the company's website, doses of the vaccine will soon be available in Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties. At this time, Publix is preparing to make appointments through its online scheduling system. Publix pharmacies are also making arrangements to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals. More from First Coast News and the Miami Herald.

MegaCon Orlando 2021 pushed to August due to COVID-19

After being canceled in 2020 and rescheduled for March 2021, MegaCon Orlando has announced its giant comics, horror, anime and gaming show will move to August. The convention announced Jan. 6 that the decision was made with the aim of giving attendees the “safest, best possible fan experience,” according to the MegaCon website. “Although we’d hoped to see you sooner, our spidey sense helped us decide to go with Plan B,” the website reads. “Thanks for sticking with us, you’re truly awesome and we can’t wait to see you this summer.” [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida company accused of steering vaccines to rich donors

Florida launched an investigation Wednesday into an upscale nursing home amid reports that it administered coronavirus vaccines to wealthy donors and members of a country club along with its residents and employees. The Washington Post and New York Post both reported that MorseLife Health System, a nonprofit that operates a nursing home and assisted living facility in West Palm Beach, has given vaccinations to donors and members of the Palm Beach Country Club, whose foundation has donated at least $75,000 to MorseLife since 2015, tax records show. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› While Miami restaurants shutter, one NYC group will open new spots in South Florida [Miami Herald]
Count some of New York City’s most beloved restaurants among the influx of new pandemic migrants to Miami. Major Food Group is bringing its restaurant empire to South Florida, signing leases to open four new restaurants in Miami-Dade this year, starting with the Manhattan crowd pleaser Carbone as early as Jan. 15, one of its founders said.

› Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg moving to April to try to add more fans [Tampa Bay Times]
This spring’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is moving back a month “when the feasibility of hosting a greater number of fans is possible” because of the coronavirus pandemic, event organizers announced Wednesday. The three-day event will now run from April 23-25, culminating with the IndyCar Series race on the final day.

› Carnival cancels March cruises from Port Canaveral, other U.S. ports [Florida Today]
Carnival Cruise Line on Wednesday said it is extending its halt to cruises from Port Canaveral and other U.S. ports through March, as it aims to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for resuming cruises. Port Canaveral has not had multiday cruises since March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

› Mecum Auctions returns to Kissimmee with world’s largest collector car auction [Orlando Sentinel]
Auto enthusiasts have reason to be excited as Mecum Kissimmee rolls into town for its annual collector car auction with nearly 3,000 vehicles. Antique autos from Jeeps to Mustangs to Corvettes to Land Rovers will be spread out on the 195-acre grounds of Osceola Heritage Park during 10 days of bidding Jan. 7-16.

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› Daryl Tol, AdventHealth Central Florida CEO, resigns [Orlando Sentinel]
Daryl Tol, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s Central Florida division has resigned, the health system announced on Wednesday. AdventHealth did not provide a reason behind the surprising announcement. “AdventHealth is blessed with strong, capable leaders who will continue this important work into the future,” said Tol in a news release.

› Miami below average in income, education, census study shows [Miami Today]
Miami’s differences from most other areas of the United States show up in more than palm trees, broad beaches and global recognition: the differences become abundantly clear in economic and social characteristics as measured by the US Census Bureau. The latest annual edition of the bureau’s American Community Survey, released in December, shows broad gaps in income and educational levels, language use, ethnicities, insurance benefits and far more.

› Tarpon Springs group that warded off Walmart prepares for next battle [Tampa Bay Times]
By the time a heated discussion over Epiphany planning pushed the Dec. 15 City Commission meeting close to midnight, officials hadn’t even gotten to one of the most controversial items to hit their agenda in years. To avoid an overnight meeting, the commission rescheduled its vote on Houston developer Morgan Group’s application to build a 404-unit luxury apartment complex within a nearly 74-acre wooded property along the Anclote River to Thursday.

› Clearlake to make strategic investment in Web.com [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Clearlake Capital Group L.P. announced Jan. 5 it agreed to make a strategic investment in Web.com Group Inc., which was acquired by a different private equity firm in October 2018. Siris Capital Group LLC bought Jacksonville-based Web.com in 2018 for $2 billion, including the assumption of debt. Clearlake said in a news release Siris will remain “significant equity” holders in the company.