COVID-19 in Florida: 50,997 new cases reported over last three days

Florida reported 50,997 COVID-19 cases over the last three days to the federal government or an average of about 17,000 cases per day as the state continues to see the pandemic gain momentum. The high case counts come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Florida had more than 21,000 new coronavirus infections on Friday. It was the highest one-day total for Florida, which now makes up roughly one of five new cases nationally. The surge in cases comes as the more infectious Delta variant is spreading. Just a month ago, Florida reported only 1,228 new cases for a single day on June 22. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel ]

With peak hurricane season fast approaching, NHC tracks new disturbances in far east

Just ahead of peak hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center is tracking two new disturbances in the far eastern Atlantic. NOAA is set to update its prediction for how active the season is on Aug. 4. A few months ago, NOAA predicted another above-average season, with 13 to 20 named storms. The next storm name is Fred. [Source: Miami Herald ]

Floridians keep dumping telephone landlines, survey finds

Floridians continue to disconnect telephone landlines and go wireless, with the COVID-19 pandemic giving an extra push to the shift. While some rural areas lag in technology, more wireless devices are in use across Florida than there are residents, according to a new report from the state Public Service Commission. The commission’s annual Report on the Status of Competition in the Telecommunications Industry shows Florida’s wireline market is following a national trend in which major carriers --- AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier --- experienced landline losses in 2020. [Source: News Service of Florida]

PepsiCo to sell Bradenton-based Tropicana and other juice brands for $3.3 billion

PepsiCo Inc. on Tuesday announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Tropicana, Naked and other juice brands across North America to PAI Partners for pretax cash proceeds of $3.3 billion. Tropicana, one of the Bradenton area’s largest employers, was founded in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, who developed flash pasteurization and pioneered orange juice transport in 1970 via train from Florida to New York. More from the  Miami Heraldand the Tampa Bay Times. 

JetBlue not departing New York for Florida, expanding at JFK

JetBlue is not departing New York. The low-cost airline announced Tuesday that it will keep its headquarters in Queens and expand its flagship terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. JetBlue had considered moving its headquarters to Florida when its lease at a building in Long Island City ends in 2023. The airline already operates a training center in Orlando and has a subsidiary based in Fort Lauderdale. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› No more honor system: Florida ag commissioner promises inspections, reports to help clean up water [Palm Beach Post]
After touring the Caloosahatchee estuary, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried promised her department will double down on its work for clean water. The cruise on the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s research vessel Norma Campbell kicked off a statewide tour announcing Fried’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy’s Clean Water Initiative.

› Patrons must now be vaccinated to dine at this Sarasota-Manatee destination [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
One of the most famous waterfront restaurants in Florida is now requiring its patrons to have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Beach Bistro, an Anna Maria Island icon on Holmes Beach that opened in 1985, emailed a newsletter to customers last week noting that its staff had reached a vaccination rate of 100% and asked that guests do the same.

› Florida may drop Ben & Jerry's investments for not selling ice cream in West Bank, Gaza [News Service of Florida]
State investment in the parent company of the Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream chain could be blocked later this year after Ben & Jerry’s announced plans to stop selling its products in the West Bank and Gaza. Ash Williams, executive director and chief investment officer of the State Board of Administration, said in a letter Monday that the parent company, Unilever PLC, has been added to what is known as Florida’s list of “Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel.”

› Natural gas costs drive up Tampa Electric, Duke bills [Tampa Bay Times ]
Customers of Tampa Electric Co. and Duke Energy Florida will see higher monthly bills through the end of the year to cover unexpected increases in natural gas prices. The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved separate short-term increases, which will affect about 2.7 million customers of the two utilities.

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› MSC Cruises makes 1st sailing from Florida; Port Canaveral debut on tap [Orlando Sentinel]
MSC Cruises joined the companies making their Florida debut with the sailing of MSC Meraviglia from Miami on Monday. The massive ship marks the company’s first North American sailing in nearly 18 months although it has been one of the first cruise lines to venture back into waters internationally when it sailed in Europe in late 2020.

› NASA, Boeing move Starliner launch to Wednesday at 12:57 p.m. [Orlando Sentinel]
NASA has moved the launch attempt of Boeing’s Starliner uncrewed capsule again, this time to Wednesday. Liftoff is set for 1:20 p.m. The mission was originally scheduled for Friday and then Tuesday. The latest scrub came “due to unexpected valve position indications in the Starliner propulsion system,” NASA said.

› $237M foundation paves the way for The Bay with second match challenge [Business Observer]
The Patterson Foundation announced a second matching challenge in support of The Bay project in Sarasota. The foundation will donate $1 million for every $5 million donated by a private philanthropy. The Patterson Foundation has committed up to $4 million in matching funds, which will end with a total of a $24 million investment to the phase. The challenge will continue through 2023.

› MOSH celebrates 80 years with $8 admission on Sunday [WJXT]
The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is celebrating 80 years of curiosity on the First Coast with $8 admission on Sunday, Aug. 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. “Join the celebration while walking through the newest exhibit, The Lost World of Dragons, enjoy the Florida Naturalist’s Center or walk through Jacksonville and Northeast Florida’s history in the Currents of Time exhibit, all for just $8,” MOSH said.