New jobless claims continue to fall in Florida

Florida continues to see new unemployment claims roll in at pre-pandemic levels, even as leisure and tourism-related businesses maintain they are struggling to attract workers. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 6,430 new claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended July 10, down from a revised count of 6,739 during the week that ended July 3. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Broward businesses strategize ways to bring down opioid abuse, deaths

Deaths caused by opioid use across Florida increased by 51% from January to June 2020, compared to the same time in 2019, according to medical examiners and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Now Project Opiod — an initiative started in Central Florida that aims to reduce opioid abuse and deaths — is expanding into South Florida counties. More from WLRN.

Winter Park to hire lobbying firm for help with USPS property negotiations

Winter Park commissioners are hoping a Washington D.C. lobbying firm can help renew negotiations with the U.S. Postal Service after multiple failed attempts over the last decade to buy a two-acre property near Central Park. Commissioners agreed to hire Thorn Run Partners that proposed a $6,500 monthly retainer for its services or $78,000 a year. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Commissioner Nikki Fried, Black farmers talk USDA’s paused debt relief program

Fried has been advocating for the USDA to reinstate a program that would have provided $4 billion in debt relief to Black farmers. She says supporting these farmers would help address food insecurity and generational poverty in the state. “And so this is almost like a win, win, win situation. To teach these kids how to grow, and get them into business opportunities, feed them, and then also be part of something bigger than themselves.” More from WMFE.

Red tide moving south, threatening tourism across the Tampa Bay area

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to report high levels of red tide throughout Sarasota County. Dead fish are starting to wash ashore at the county’s most popular tourist destination, Siesta Key. Small business owners admit they’re concerned with how red tide is going to impact tourism on the key. Their minds go back to 2018, when red tide wreaked havoc on the area, devastating businesses of all kinds. More from WFLA.