Citizens eyes rate hike, as insurance changes proposed
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could increase residential rates by an average of 7.2 percent this year, as the state-backed insurer contends with a flood of new policies and troubles in the private insurance market.
By the numbers: County unemployment rates
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on Friday released a December unemployment report. Here are the county-by-county unemployment rates:
— Osceola County: 8.7 percent
— Miami-Dade County: 7.3 percent
Legislator proposes sales-tax holiday to prepare for disasters
A Senate Republican on Friday filed a bill that would provide a sales-tax “holiday” around the start of hurricane season for people who buy disaster-preparedness supplies.
Florida deaths top 25,000; Local two-county tally at 683
More than 25,000 Florida residents have died since the COVID-19 pandemic hit early last year, according to numbers released Friday by the state Department of Health.
The department reported a major increase Friday of 272 resident deaths, bringing the total to 25,011. Florida also passed another troubling milestone this week, when it topped 9,000 deaths of residents and staff members of long-term care facilities — with the vast majority involving seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Trump administration gives Medicaid gift to Florida
Former President Donald Trump’s administration gave Florida’s health-care system one last parting gift before he left office Wednesday to return to his adopted home state.
State pandemic chair says businesses will remain open
Businesses will remain open for the economic well-being of the state even as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Florida, the head of a Senate select committee on the pandemic said Thursday.
DeSantis hoping more federal aid comes to Florida
With Georgia swinging the U.S. Senate to Democratic control, DeSantis expressed disappointment but acknowledged the change could mean more federal aid for Florida.
Backroom briefing: sewing seeds for 2021
Hours before Wednesday’s presidential inauguration, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz sent social media aflutter by trolling toward the 2022 election cycle.
By the numbers: COVID-19 vaccinations by county
Through Tuesday, Florida totaled 1,122,405 COVID-19 vaccinations. Here is a breakdown of vaccinations by the recipients’ counties of residence:
— Miami-Dade; 130,156
— Palm Beach: 100,575
Trump supporters sparse at state capitol
After preparation for potentially large-scale protests, only about 10 supporters of President Donald Trump waved signs to motorists outside Florida’s Capitol on Wednesday as President Joe Biden was sworn into office in Washington, D.C.