COVID ‘vaccine passport’ fines kick in Thursday for businesses and governments

Businesses and governments that require customers to show proof of a coronavirus vaccine will start to face hefty fines on Thursday, but some details about how the new law will work remain unclear. The Florida Department of Health will be responsible for enforcing the $5,000-per-violation charge under a law blocking so-called “vaccine passports” signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year. The governor’s press secretary, Christina Pushaw, and the health department didn’t answer questions about how customers can report businesses asking for a vaccine passport and how investigations would work. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Two Atlantic disturbances could be tropical depressions soon. There’s another wave too

Forecasters are monitoring three disturbances Thursday and two have a high chance of turning into tropical depressions soon as they move across the Atlantic. None of the systems are currently a threat to Florida. The disturbance closest to the United States is several hundred miles to the south-southeast of the outer Banks of North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. More from the Miami Herald.

Royal Caribbean to debut world’s largest cruise ship in Florida instead of China

Florida has been the first home for each of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels since Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2008, but was set to lose out to China for the fifth ship in the class, Wonder of the Seas. But the cruise line announced some changes that will bring the ship to the Sunshine State early next year. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Just in time to help new businesses, Hispanic chamber forms in Pinellas

Luis Canola arrived in the United States seven months ago, and in August, he opened a business selling vinyl wraps and advertising services to food trucks and other businesses. He soon recognized he would need to network so he could grow his new business. Just as he began looking around, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Pinellas County formed. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

New flood maps would require thousands in Broward County to buy insurance

About 65,000 property owners in Broward County may be required to buy flood insurance for the first time, under a proposal released this week for new federal flood zone maps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency released maps that enlarge flood zones, especially in southern Broward County, using new data on hurricanes, sea level, land elevation and storm surge. The largest number of properties added to flood zones would be in Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.