More-contagious COVID variant concentrated in South Florida but widespread, data shows

An emerging and more-contagious version of the COVID virus is circulating in 19 Florida counties, spanning the Panhandle to South Florida, new data indicates, and Miami-Dade and Broward counties had the highest number of known cases. The Florida Department of Health says it is now examining about 200 samples of the COVID virus on average every week to look for mutations in the virus, roughly quadrupling the pace it had set during the course of the pandemic. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida leaders aim to kill constitution revision commission

An influential appointed panel that recommends changes to the Florida Constitution every 20 years is again in the crosshairs of state lawmakers. With bipartisan support, the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday backed a proposal (SJR 204) by Sen. Jeff Brandes that would ask Floridians to eliminate the 37-member Constitution Revision Commission. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida’s airports holding on through coronavirus turbulence

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Florida’s economy hard, with its airports feeling a big part of that economic pain. While a turnaround is already starting to take place, analysts say it will be a slow and difficult process before the sector returns to pre-pandemic levels. In November, one of the Sunshine State’s biggest tourist portals, Orlando International Airport, saw a 300,000 monthly passenger increase over October to 1.8 million passengers. [Source: The Bond Buyer]

Florida Supreme Court signals major shift in summary judgment standard

Lawyers and insurance industry professionals are undoubtedly familiar with motions for summary judgment. For years, Florida state courts have followed their own summary judgment standard. While similar to the rule followed by all federal courts and 38 states, the Florida standard allowed judges to routinely deny summary judgment motions in all but the most clear circumstances. On December 31, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court articulated a new standard to bring Florida in line with the federal courts and majority of states. [Source: JD Supra]

This spot in the Florida Keys is one of the hottest travel destinations in the U.S.

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and travelers are ready to travel. And a lot of them apparently are eager to travel to Key West. Tripadvisor just released its 2021 Travelers’ Choice Awards for Destinations, and Key West is among the most popular destinations for travel in the United States, falling behind New York, Maui, Las Vegas and New Orleans. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› After court fight with Loria and Jeter, Miami-Dade wins millions from Marlins sale [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade on Tuesday revealed a $4.2 million settlement with the former and current Marlins owners over a lawsuit the county filed to collect on a 2009 profit-sharing agreement Loria offered in exchange for nearly $500 million in public funds for a new ballpark and parking complex in Little Havana.

› This year’s SunFest is canceled; tickets for 2020 event good for 2022 [South Floriida Sun-Sentinel]
No doubt fans anticipated this: SunFest 2021 has officially been canceled, marking another year without the joyful noise that carries across the West Palm Beach waterfront. SunFest brass on Wednesday confirmed they made the decision to cancel the 2021 edition, scheduled to take place April 30-May 2, after several music artists expressed concerns about packing concertgoers into crowded spaces.

› In dense Tampa Bay cities, scarcity fuels demand for commercial property [Tampa Bay Times]
A year into the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants and retail shops are still struggling, and the future of office space is uncertain. But demand for large tracts of urban dirt has not waned, as investors and developers are still clamoring for the rare chance to grab land in dense cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg.

› How Chewy co-founder — and Florida man — Ryan Cohen drove GameStop’s stock skyward [Miami Herald]
At the heart of the astonishing rise in the share price of Gamestop this week lies a familiar face to much of South Florida’s business community. Wall Street analysts say the appointment of Ryan Cohen, the co-founder of Dania-based online pet store Chewy, to Texas-based Gamestop’s board of directors Jan. 11 was a key element in sending the game retailer’s share price from about $21 at the end of 2020 to more than $260 Wednesday.

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› RV firm adds to portfolio with acquisition [Business Obsertver]
Lazydays Holdings, one of the largest RV dealers in the country, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Sprad's RV, in Reno, Nevada. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Sprad's RV, according to a statement, has a strong presence in the rapidly growing Reno market. Sprad's selection of RV brands included Grand Design, Thor, Forest River and Lance. The acquisition is expected to be finalized within 30 to 60 days, the release states.

› Florida tropicals company appoints new CEO [Fresh Plaza]
J&C Tropicals has announced the appointment of Jessie Capote, Esq. as their new CEO. He assumed responsibilities on January 1, 2021, and will succeed Carlos Capote. Capote has been part of the J&C Tropicals team for over 13 years. During this time, he has led the transformative growth of each department — from finance, farming, and distribution operations to procurement domestically and abroad and acquiring new sales channels.

› Small wonders: Construction underway for 1st HabiJax tiny homes project [WJXT]
Two local organizations are joining forces to help make housing more affordable in Jacksonville. Construction is underway for a new housing community on Jacksonville’s Westside, featuring 50 tiny homes. Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, also known as HabiJax, and the Northeast Florida Builders Association are heading this project.

› Homebuilder promotes CFO to partner role [Business Observer]
BCB Homes named CFO Shazia Azami a partner of the firm. One of six Naples-based leaders, Azami will collaborate with the company’s CEO, president, COO, vice president and vice president of field operations on all building, remodeling and estate management projects as well as building science technology, according to a statement. Azami has overseen BCB’s accounting and financial operations for the past six years.