Monday's Daily Pulse
Florida unemployment rate falls to 2.5%, lowest since 2006
Florida’s already-low unemployment rate dipped to 2.5 percent in September, though the numbers don’t take into account economic effects from Hurricane Ian. A state economist said Friday that October numbers likely will show an impact from the Category 4 storm, which made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida, but wouldn’t speculate on potential changes. The Department of Economic Opportunity released a report showing the September rate down from 2.7 percent in August and July. The September rate represented an estimated 266,000 people out of work from a labor force of 10.7 million. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Paralyzed Floridians and elderly could lose home caregivers via $15-an-hour pay-raise funding glitch
The pay raise, enacted by the Legislature and governor last spring, was intended to help health care providers compete for workers in an industry with severe labor shortages. It’s $4 an hour more generous than the $11 minimum wage that took effect in Florida on Sept. 30. The difference between direct care workers’ previous hourly wage and the new $15 minimum is supposed to be funded by a $135.9 million budget allocation distributed to health insurance companies that administer Medicaid-funded managed care plans, including those that care for elderly patients in assisted-living facilities. But the money isn’t yet flowing. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Preview: Future of Florida Forum draws hundreds to annual conversation
Florida’s long-term outlook still trends toward growth, but 2023 will be a year of uncertainty with pressures from the insurance industry, housing costs, the threat of a national recession and the labor supply putting pressure on the economy, says Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson. “No one can predict how all these things put into a blender are going to shake out,” he adds. More than 700 business leaders from around the state – and hundreds more attending virtually – will gather in Orlando Monday and Tuesday to consider the possibilities of Florida economic trajectory from the equivalent of the 15th largest global economy to reaching the top 10 by 2030. [Source: Florida Trend]
Hurricane Ian’s invisible toll: At least 41 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning confirmed
As the winds died and floods receded, a new, invisible threat was emerging in Hurricane Ian’s wake: carbon monoxide. The odorless, tasteless gas — often a dangerous consequence of misusing a generator — poisoned 41 people in the first two weeks after Ian’s landfall, according to data provided by the Florida Department of Health. Officials are linking the confirmed cases directly to the storm, meaning most poisonings likely stemmed from unsafe generator use during a power outage. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida judge dismisses first charges brought by DeSantis’ office of election crimes, calling it overreach of power
A Miami judge approved a motion to dismiss Friday in the case against Robert Lee Wood, 56, the first of the 17 people charged with election fraud in a statewide roundup in August by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new Election Crimes Unit. The defense argued that the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor did not have jurisdiction over the case. The judge agreed, in an order that not only dismissed the charges against Wood, but concluded that the state’s prosecution of election crimes constitutes an overreach of power. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Decades in the making, St. Pete’s SunRunner bus is here [Tampa Bay Times]
Under a still-dark, early-morning sky, Tampa Bay’s first bus rapid transit system rumbled alive Friday, opening to the public 15 years after local transportation leaders first pitched the project as a potential antidote to the city’s growing congestion and parking woes. Many of those boarding at 6 a.m. said they were lured in by curiosity and the promise of promotional “gold cards” offering discounts to local businesses, handed out to the first 500 riders.
› From decrepit Miami River tract to shopping hub, River Landing caters to inner city residents [Miami Herald]
Along the Miami River, River Landing Shops & Residences has become a bustling hub of activity for Little Havana and other area residents, as well as downtown Miami workers. Bringing life to a rundown property, the complex opened in September 2020 with plenty of retail, offices plus more than 500 apartments.
› Fantasy Fest returns to Key West after COVID shutdowns [AP]
Fantasy Fest kicked off in Key West, Florida, on Friday with a full slate of events for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started more than two years ago. The annual 10-day-long party runs through Oct. 30. “Due to the COVID pandemic, this will be the first full Fantasy Fest since 2019,” Fantasy Fest board chair Steve Robbins said. “So I know our guests and staff are excited about getting back to the real Fantasy Fest.”
› Sports Addix seeking city support for Jacksonville move, expansion [Jacksonnville Daily Record]
Screenprinting, embroidery and apparel manufacturer Sports Addix LLC is asking the city for a $50,000 grant to support renovation and expansion of its facility on Jacksonville’s Eastside near Talleyrand. A memo and project summary issued Oct. 12 by the Jacksonville Office of Economic Development shows the company is asking the city to supplement its $679,000 investment in electrical infrastructure, roofing and code compliance improvements for its building.
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› Can a vaccine cure breast cancer? Treatment innovations advancing fast in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
South Florida researchers are trying out several vaccine strategies to prevent or cure breast cancer. So far, early trials are holding out some promise for a breast cancer prevention vaccine, a curative vaccine for aggressive late stage breast cancer, or even a vaccine aimed at survivors to keep breast cancer from recurring.
› Panel named to select architect for new Sarasota Performing Arts Center [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Even as the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center remains a hot topic of debate among Sarasota City Commission candidates and members of the public, the Van Wezel Foundation is moving forward by announcing a task force to select an architectural design firm. The five-person committee, made up of community members with business and arts backgrounds, will spend the next few months overseeing the process of choosing a firm.
› Florida Theatre adding VIP hospitality lounge in latest work at historic Jacksonville theater [Florida Times-Union]
The curtain is almost ready to go up on completion of the second phase of renovations to the historic Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville. The city-owned, 95-year-old movie theater at 128 E. Forsyth St. is undergoing renovations, repairs and upgrades as part of a multi-phase, multi-million dollar capital improvement plan announced in November 2019. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the whole project should be done in time for the theater's 100th birthday in 2027, said Numa C. Saisselin, president of the nonprofit Florida Theatre Center for the Performing Arts Inc., which manages the theater.
› The Ritz-Carlton Naples lays off more than 500 employees [Business Observer]
The Ritz-Carlton in Naples is laying off 591 employees as damage caused by Hurricane Ian has forced it to close until at least early next year. The layoffs were posted to Florida’s WARN database Friday evening, Oct. 21. But according to a letter sent to the state to meet WARN requirements, the employees were laid off Oct. 13. Federal law requires companies to provide states with Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification notices when making job cuts.