Florida News Archive

Walt Disney World could approach full capacity by the end of the year, Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Chapek said during the JPMorgan 49th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Monday. Chapek said his team anticipates “low double-digit growth” as the company follows federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus operating guidelines, according to a transcript of the conference.

Florida Republican leaders touted the state’s economy Wednesday and said they expect businesses to boost hiring as additional federal unemployment benefits end in the coming weeks.

“We have emerged from the pandemic. At least, I feel like we’ve emerged from the pandemic,” state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said while appearing at the Florida Chamber of Commerce “Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit” in Sarasota.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity last week released an April unemployment report. Here are April county unemployment rates:

— Hamilton County: 6.9 percent

— Miami-Dade County: 6.9 percent

Florida plans to stop providing $300 a week in additional federal unemployment benefits as it pushes for people to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Floridians preparing for the looming hurricane season can avoid paying sales taxes on many types of disaster gear starting late next week, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $196.3 million tax package on Friday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he urged state education officials to put new guidelines on how U.S. history is taught in public schools. The State Board of Education on June 10 will consider a proposed rule that says teachers “may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.

The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday released a report showing estimated first-time unemployment claims filed last week. Here is how Florida stacked up against other states in the number of claims filed during the week that ended May 15:

— California: 70,965

— Texas: 26,621

The Republican National Committee and the GOP’s Senate campaign arm are seeking to help defend a controversial new Florida elections law that includes placing additional restrictions on voting by mail.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody quickly launched an appeal Wednesday after a federal judge refused to block immigration-enforcement moves by President Joe Biden’s administration.

A proposed rule that will be weighed by the State Board of Education aims to control the way history is taught in Florida classrooms and not allow teachers to “indoctrinate” students, as part of what state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran called a “constant, vigilant fight.”

The proposed rule seeks to put strict guidelines on teaching U.S. history.