Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Florida changed its COVID-19 data, creating an ‘artificial decline’ in recent deaths
As the delta variant spreads through Florida, data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest this could be the most serious and deadly surge in COVID-19 infections since the beginning of the pandemic. As cases ballooned in August, however, the Florida Department of Health changed the way it reported death data to the CDC, giving the appearance of a pandemic in decline, an analysis of Florida data by the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald found. More from the Miami Herald and The Hill.
Demand skyrockets for ivermectin in Florida; poison control spikes
Demand is skyrocketing for a livestock drug. More people are buying Ivermectin from feed stores to treat COVID-19. Florida Poison Control Centers is treating a spike in cases related to the drug after people experienced dangerous side effects. The drug is made as a deworming medicine for livestock, not for human use. [Source: WINK News]
Seminole Tribe seeks dismissal of lawsuit challenging Florida gambling deal
The Seminole Tribe is trying to scuttle a federal lawsuit challenging a new gambling deal with the state that calls for the tribe to operate sports betting in Florida. Lawyers for the tribe on Tuesday filed court documents seeking to intervene in a lawsuit filed by two pari-mutuel operations and arguing that the lawsuit should be dismissed. Owners of Magic City Casino in Miami-Dade County and Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest Florida filed the lawsuit July 2 in Tallahassee, contending that a sports-betting plan that lawmakers passed in May violates federal laws. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Tropical Depression 12 forms in far east Atlantic. It could be Hurricane Larry by Friday
A new, powerful tropical depression formed in the far east Atlantic, and it could become Hurricane Larry as soon as Friday. The latest forecast shows a track with a slight northern curve by week’s end, more toward Bermuda than the southeast coast of the U.S. At that point, the National Hurricane Center forecasts, it could be a Category 2 with 105 mph maximum winds. [Source: Miami Herald]
Royal Caribbean’s next version of world’s largest cruise ship performs sea trials
What will officially become the world’s largest cruise ship proved it could turn to the left, turn the right and criss-cross as Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas began its series of sea trials this month. The fifth in the Oasis class for the line, Wonder of the Seas is a sister ship to 2008′s Oasis of the Seas, 2009′s Allure of the Seas, 2016′s Harmony of the Seas and 2018′s Symphony of the Seas. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay business organization gets new leader, first woman and Black woman to take the helm [Florida Trend]
Bemetra Simmons has been named president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, replacing Rick Homans who is retiring. Simmons, 46, is currently the chief strategies and operations officer at the United Way Suncoast and will step into her new job Sept. 27. She is the fourth person to head the Tampa Bay Partnership and the first woman and Black woman, according to a statement.
› Trans-Siberian Orchestra coming to Orlando on winter tour [Orlando Sentinel]
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, known the world over for rocking Christmas tunes, will hit the road for a 59-city tour this winter, taking their unique brand of holiday music across the nation. The seasonal “rock tradition” is coming to Orlando’s Amway Center for two performances on Dec. 18. Having sold more than three million copies of the album “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” the band is known for energetic live shows and popular holiday music.
› Judge in Rays ownership dispute steps down from case over past team ties [Tampa Bay Times]
A judge who was slated to oversee a legal dispute between majority and minority owners of the Tampa Bay Rays has stepped down from the case over past ties to the team, including a stint as a minor league general manager. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court Judge Thomas Ramsberger granted a motion from five minority ownership groups asking him to be disqualified.
› Miami-Dade considers quicker inspections for condo towers in rewrite of 40-year rules [Miami Herald]
The administration of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava may rewrite a central part of the county’s safety checks for older buildings with a proposal to shrink the mandated 40-year recertification process to 30 years. Announced as part of a potential update to county building laws in response to the June 24 partial collapse of the 40-year-old Champlain Towers South condominium complex in Surfside, the shorter recertification window would mean condo and apartment buildings would lose an entire decade of waiting time before mandated inspections for structural safety and electrical problems.
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› Florida Power and Light taking applications for entrepreneur program [WPTV]
Florida Power and Light is searching for entrepreneurs who want to make an impact. The state's largest utility is taking applications for their innovation hub called 35 Mules. The 12- to 18-month program, which began in 2020, provides startups with the tools and resources they need to turn their ideas into a business.
› Jacksonville store that inspired Lynyrd Skynyrd song torn down [Florida Times-Union]
A country store with a special connection to Lynyrd Skynyrd is no more. The abandoned Woodcrest Grocery building, where Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant allegedly met "the finest picker to ever play the blues," was torn down last week. The store was immortalized in the lyrics of "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," from the band's 1974 album "Second Helping."
› Universal Orlando hiring for food and beverage jobs at Halloween Horror Nights [Orlando Sentinel]
Calling all spooky chefs and eerie cashiers: Universal Orlando is hiring food and beverage employees for its Halloween Horror Nights event, which starts this week. Universal is hosting an open job fair for full- and part-time food and beverage and culinary positions at the resort for the special event, which begins Friday and runs for 42 nights until Oct. 31.
› Fantasy Fest parade in Key West canceled over COVID, but other events still on [Miami Herald]
Fantasy Fest, the biggest annual event by far in tourism-dependent Key West, still remains on the calendar. But it’s been whittled down. Organizers on Monday said the parade and street fair won’t happen this year because of COVID-19 concerns.