By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Siding with teachers unions, a Leon County circuit judge Thursday lifted a stay of his earlier ruling that a state order requiring schools to reopen in August is unconstitutional. Judge Charles Dodson on Monday issued a temporary injunction accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard […]
Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that COVID-19 is a lower risk for school children than the seasonal influenza. PolitiFact researched the claim and rated the statement “Mostly True.” This designation indicates that “the statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information.” PolitiFact found that studies show the number of COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Accusing the state of ignoring the Florida Constitution, a Leon County circuit judge on Monday sided with teachers unions that challenged a state order mandating that schools resume in-person instruction this month amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Florida Education Association and the union representing Orange […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With more than 150,000 Florida children already in their desks, the state and teachers unions squared off Friday in a legal battle over Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s mandate that local school officials resume in-person instruction this month amid the coronavirus pandemic. Leon County Circuit Judge […]
Nikki Fried recently appeared on CNN and blamed President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis for COVID-19 related deaths in Florida. Fried, in a Twitter post attached to the interview, wrote that Florida had more people die than Germany during the COVID pandemic and that there would be “an electoral reckoning on November 3.” The […]
Looking at daily trends related to COVID-19 in Florida shows that all indicators have been trending down for at least a week. Data released by the Florida Department of Health on August 22 shows: The seven-day average of daily new cases is now at 3,994. This is down from the peak of 11,870 on July […]
By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida education officials have outlined how local school officials should respond when students or employees test positive for the coronavirus, providing more details on what has been a top concern amid school reopenings. At the heart of the guidelines is a “coronavirus symptomatic decision tree” […]
The latest reports from the Florida Department of health show that for the second consecutive day the COVID positive test rate is below 8%. The numbers for August 15 show that 7.73% of 50,486 tests were positive. The August 14 update reported a 7.69% positive rate with 96,000 tests. The chart below shows the 7-day […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With millions of Floridians seeking to vote by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic, postal officials have warned Secretary of State Laurel Lee that the state is at risk of having ballots go uncounted in the November presidential election. Florida, a battleground in the election, is […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s top business regulator plans to start meeting with bar operators and craft brewers, amid concerns about establishments closing permanently if a state ban on serving drinks for on-site consumption remains in place. In a tweet Saturday, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey […]