Florida Trend Exclusive

Florida's doctor deficit

Florida's population is growing faster than its physician workforce. Filling the gap will require a range of responses. Projections of Florida’s doctor shortage include expectations that the state’s population growth over the next 20 years will include doctors from elsewhere. Indeed, 11,692 (17.7%) of physicians surveyed in the state’s 2021 physician workforce report are recent transplants — having relocated to Florida in the last five years. [Source: Florida Trend ]

Crypto craze on full display at bitcoin conference in Florida

Thousands of cryptocurrency enthusiasts are gathering in Miami as the city builds its reputation as one of the key locations to develop the blockchain technology despite its underdog status. Dozens of companies are using the Bitcoin 2022 conference running Wednesday through Saturday as a venue to network, pitch ideas and share announcements. [Source: AP]

Florida COVID weekly update: New cases trend up for the first time in over a month

What is the COVID-19 situation like in Florida? In the past seven days, the state has added 1,505 cases and 39 deaths per day, on average, according to Miami Herald calculations of data published by the CDC. Over the past three weeks, on average, 21 more cases were logged each day in Florida, showing an increase in trends. This is the first increase in over a month. [Source: Miami Herald]

With talk of shifting federal marijuana policy, Nikki Fried says it’s time for Florida to legalize it

Following a U.S. House vote legalizing marijuana, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Florida has a chance to lead on weed. Fried, a candidate for Governor and a former industry lobbyist, sat down with Florida Politics for an exclusive interview. She said Florida is behind on cannabis law and needs to do more to make sure the growing industry lifts minority communities often targeted by bad drug policy. [Source: Florida Politics]

Florida ranked 38th worst state for financial literacy, study says

The state of Florida recently passed a new law requiring financial literacy education to graduate high school, with support from leaders, lawmakers and the community. According to a study from WalletHub ranking states by financial literacy skills, that educational initiative couldn’t come sooner. [Source: WFLA]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida-based communications carrier TracFone to pay $13.4M settlement, DOJ says [Orlando Sentinel]
A Florida-based telecommunications carrier will pay more than $13 million as part of a civil settlement for violating the False Claims Act. TracFone, a communications company, based in Miami, agreed to pay the sum after violating the FCC’s Lifeline Program (Lifeline), the Department of Justice reported on Monday. In 1996, Congress created Lifeline, allowing people living at or below 135% of the poverty line to receive a free cell phone and free monthly service.

› Hollywood scraps plan to ban midnight walks on beach sand [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
You’ll still have the right to venture onto the sand after midnight at Hollywood beach without being shooed away by police, thanks to an 11th hour change of heart by city leaders. Commissioners were poised to give final approval Wednesday to new safety rules at the beach requested by their own police department. But two rules that won tentative approval in March failed to pass muster on Wednesday.

› Hillsborough equity study: better transit, more job training, county focus needed [Tampa Bay Times]
Hillsborough County commissioners should invest more heavily in public transportation, create an office of equity and access within county government and establish apprenticeship programs in emergent and green technologies, according to a just-released equity profile. Those and other recommendations, presented to commissioners Wednesday, are included in a 73-page report from MGT Consulting Group.

› Black Knight talking about buyout [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Jacksonville-based mortgage technology company Black Knight Inc. is talking to private equity firms about a possible buyout, according to an April 5 report by Bloomberg news. Citing unidentified people familiar with the talks, Bloomberg said Black Knight hasn’t made any decisions about a sale and could remain an independent public company.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Just how protected from COVID are you? Where to go in South Florida to measure your antibodies [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Tests to learn your COVID antibody levels are becoming increasingly popular as people begin making decisions about how to live a normal life again. Federal regulators warn against the use of antibody tests as a predictor of COVID immunity, but low levels of antibodies — after an infection or vaccination — provide a signal that you may be vulnerable.

› Seminole’s latest renovation plans for justice center frustrate county leaders [Orlando Sentinel]
For years, Seminole County has planned to move all the court operations from downtown Sanford to the county’s Five Points Complex, where the criminal justice courthouse is located — even spending nearly $1.2 million on design studies and architectural renderings. But as county officials recently finalized plans on a $41-million expansion and renovation of the five-story Criminal Justice Center and readies to kick off construction by mid-2025, Chief Judge Jessica Recksiedler of the 18th Judicial Circuit raised concerns that Seminole is not providing enough courtroom space to accommodate the county’s expected growth over the next two decades.

› JPMorgan Chase CEO says racial equity in tech critical for Miami [Miami Herald]
With a net worth of $1.7 billion, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is no stranger to large financial transactions. One of JPMorgan Chase’s latest endeavors is designed to help level Miami’s tech playing field for people from underserved communities. Dimon spoke at Miami-Dade College Monday to participate in the announcement of Tech Equity Miami.

› Hundreds of positions available at upcoming Manatee County job fair [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Local government officials seek to attract applicants to hundreds of positions at an upcoming job fair available to promote openings within Manatee County, the School District and the Sheriff's Office. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a difficult job market for local employers in need of workers, and for job seekers looking for high-paying jobs, as inflation takes hold.