Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida legal elite
Less than 2% of active Florida Bar members practicing in Florida appear among the exclusive Florida Legal Elite. Now in its 18th year, Florida Legal Elite presents the state’s top licensed and practicing attorneys selected by their peers. Florida Trend invited all in-state members of the Florida Bar to name attorneys whom they highly regard or would recommend to others. Voters were also asked to name three “up and coming” attorneys, and outstanding attorneys working in the government and non-profit sectors. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of July 2nd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida sees decline in unemployment claims
Florida had a dip in new unemployment claims during the final week in which jobless people could get $300 a week in federal assistance. In a report released Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that 6,086 new jobless claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended June 26, down from a revised count of 7,667 in the week that ended June 19. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Tropical Storm Elsa increases speed; NHC says a hurricane is possible, but it’s too early to be certain
The National Hurricane Service is still projecting Elsa could affect South Florida by early next week as a Tropical Storm. But the NHC also said Elsa could strengthen into the season’s first hurricane. “I would say at this point, with a Tropical Storm being forecast, it isn’t unreasonable for South Floridians to be ready for the potential of a Category 1 hurricane knocking on our door early next week,” said NHC meteorologist Robert Garcia. “It is something that can’t be ruled out, and folks should be aware that’s something we may have to prepare for here during the holiday weekend.” [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida's ban on vaccination proof requirements complicates U.S. cruise line comeback
When cruise ships depart from Florida’s ports in the coming months, some won’t require passengers to get the most effective pandemic life preserver there is — a Covid-19 vaccination. That’s because of new legislation Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed that bars businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccinations. The law goes into effect Thursday and opponents say it could threaten the recovery of an industry that is vital to the state’s economy, in addition to making it difficult for cruise ship companies to put some teeth into the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination recommendations. [Source: NBC News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa tops Miami as Florida’s best city, says new global survey
It’s official: Tampa is the best city in Florida. That’s according to Resonance Consultancy, a tourism and economic development agency that releases extensive annual reports ranking cities by factors like population and workforce growth, infrastructure, the economy and leisure options.
› Visit Orlando triples down on regional tourism marketing campaign
Visit Orlando, the region's tourism and marketing bureau, is tripling down on its "The Wonder Remains" campaign that aims to bring tourists back to Central Florida. The campaign, which started in January, is being extended through August — after initially being extended through June earlier this year, said Visit Orlando President and CEO Casandra Matej.
› Southwest Florida International Airport surpasses monthly passenger record, up 560% over pandemic
May was a record-breaking month at Southwest Florida International Airport, with 946,366 passengers coming through the facility. That was up 562% over May 2020 and more than 30% over May 2019, according to a statement. Year-to-date, passenger traffic at the airport, under the call letters RSW, is up 34.9% compared to last year, the release adds.
› Synnex shareholders approve $8 billion merger with Largo’s Tech Data
Tech Data is one step closer to new management. Shareholders of Fremont, Calif.’s Synnex Corp. on Wednesday voted to approve a proposed $8 billion merger with the Largo technology distribution company. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval and other closing details, but is still expected to close by year’s end.
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› CNN Center sold to Florida-based commercial real estate company
It’s one of the most iconic buildings in downtown Atlanta housing CNN and a variety of restaurants. For those of a certain age, it’s a building that was a part of their childhood. WarnerMedia has agreed to sell the “CNN Center” to the Florida based CP Group. Formerly known as Crockett Partners, the CP Group is the second largest office owner in metro Atlanta.
› Ad agency adds clients and work to roster, staffs up Jacksonville office
Life in the ad world, where consumers’ changing habits are upending the universe of 30-second commercials and print ads, is getting tough. But one St. Petersburg agency is not only not slowing down, it’s growing. That firm, Paradise Advertising & Marketing, recently announced it was increasing its staffing at its Jacksonville office on the heels of landing a slew of new clients and additional assignments from several existing ones.
› Federal investigation of Surfside begins. Mayor says Miami-Dade won’t wait on reforms
The federal agency that pushed safety reforms after investigating the collapse of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in 2001 announced a similar probe Wednesday of the Surfside catastrophe — an inquiry that will likely last years. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has been in Surfside since Sunday, and confirmed its plan to launch a full investigation with an aim of discovering what caused the Champlain Towers South building’s collapse and what changes in laws, building codes and regulations could be made to prevent another failure of that kind.
› Port Canaveral commissioners make last-minute decision to help pay for fireworks shows
Port Canaveral commissioners this week made an 11th-hour decision to chip in $3,000 of port money toward paying for a $20,000 fireworks show scheduled for Friday night at the port. Separately, the port has prepared its traffic flow and parking plan for the event to help ease traffic tie-ups.