Despite fewer claims, Floridaโs unemployment system will get another surge
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ First-time unemployment claims in Florida dropped nearly 25% last week, partly attributed to bars and craft breweries serving drinks again as Gov. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated Florida had 29,360 first-time unemployment claims during the week that ended Sept. 26, down from 39,028 the prior week. State leaders admit some glitches still plague the system that couldnโt keep up with the surge of claims after the pandemic cost the jobs of millions of Floridians. By all accounts, the technical part of the system is working, unlike the last two quarterly check-ins, when the system was overwhelmed. The state Department of Economic Development recently posted a 7.4 percent jobless rate in August for Florida, reflecting an estimated 753,000 Floridians out of work.
Different speeds of return for high school sports at area school districts
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. High school athletics across the area remain in much different places in their return to sports during a global pandemic. The official start date for high school sports practice in Florida remains July 27, although that seems to be an extreme best case scenario as districts around the area are in much different places of what they feel comfortable doing. She said that Duval is in a holding pattern at this point as the county awaits word from the Florida High School Athletic Association on the start date for fall sports. The FHSAA Fall Sports Task Force has held three meetings in the past month and suggested to explore the idea of moving the start date back to no earlier than Aug. 10. We were told were doing a good job, following CDC guidelines, following protocol, said First Coast High School football coach and athletic director Marty Lee.