WEATHER ALERT
Trump, DeSantis attend memorial services held for 3 Palm Beach deputies who died in collision
Read full article: Trump, DeSantis attend memorial services held for 3 Palm Beach deputies who died in collisionHeavy hearts and profound sadness this morning as family members, friends, fellow police officers, fire rescue, first responders, and the community come together to remember these brave individuals who were killed in a tragic accident in Palm Beach County.
Gov. DeSantis: Florida to make $15-$20M in profit when Twitter completes sale to Elon Musk
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis: Florida to make $15-$20M in profit when Twitter completes sale to Elon MuskGov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday that Florida stands to make a $15 to $20 million profit once Elon Musk completes his purchase of Twitter for $44 billion and takes it private.
Florida officials hold out hope for part of Space Force after losing out on HQ
Read full article: Florida officials hold out hope for part of Space Force after losing out on HQThe new primary target is the Space Training and Readiness Command field command, or STARCOM, which is set up to handle education, training and unit testing for Space Force. Patrick Space Force Base in Brevard County was the only one to make the list of finalists. In December, Vice President Mike Pence announced the renaming of what are now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base. Kuzma said Space Florida will continue to work on bringing aspects of Space Force to Florida, with the target being all or parts of STARCOM, which could be a larger facility than the headquarters. “STARCOM will build lethality by developing combat-ready space forces and space warfighting capabilities in order to innovate and dominate in all domains -- air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace,” a Space Force news release said last year.
The Latest: China's Hebei toughens virus rules over outbreak
Read full article: The Latest: China's Hebei toughens virus rules over outbreakState health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey urged residents to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing and washing their hands frequently. Health care officials are currently vaccinating health care workers, first responders and those living in long-term care facilities —all people in the highest-priority groups for getting doses. In the first phase, priority was given to health care workers and residents and staff at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Cuomo says hospitals need to do a better job of vaccinating the health care workers who are eligible now. Only health care workers and nursing home residents and staff members are currently being vaccinated in New York.
Florida launches ‘strong case’ for Space Force command
Read full article: Florida launches ‘strong case’ for Space Force commandTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Space Florida leaders on Tuesday praised aerospace facilities and commercial operations in the state, as site selectors inspected Patrick Air Force Base as a finalist to be the permanent command headquarters of Space Force. Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello told the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors that Florida has made a “very strong case” for the Brevard County military base south of Cape Canaveral, which is one of six finalists for U.S. Space Command headquarters. Jeanette Nunez, who serves as chairwoman of the Space Florida board of directors, told the Enterprise Florida board in a video. Patrick Air Force Base was the only Florida location to make the shortlist. Other remaining candidates to host the new combatant command, which will house about 1,400 military and civilian personnel, are Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Port San Antonio in Texas, and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
Nunez, Bondi to speak at Republican National Convention
Read full article: Nunez, Bondi to speak at Republican National ConventionJeanette Nunez and former Attorney General Pam Bondi are slated to speak Tuesday during the second day of the Republican National Convention. Excited to join President Trump and many of our partys patriots to address the nation on Tuesday night during the Republican National Convention! Nunez, who co-chairs a national Latinos for Trump effort, wrote Sunday on Facebook. Bondi has been a longtime supporter of Trump and worked on his defense team during the impeachment process. FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2018 file photo, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks to reporters outside the West Wing in Washington. On Monday, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters, a state senator from Sarasota, seconded the formal nomination of Trump to be the GOP candidate.
New energy surrounds effort to raise age for vaping, smoking
Read full article: New energy surrounds effort to raise age for vaping, smokingJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Theres new energy around a Florida bill that would ban all flavored e-cigarettes, as well as raise the age to buy cigarettes or e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. Now, Toledo is reintroducing the Tobacco 21 proposal with the addition of banning flavored e-cigarettes. Tobacco 21 proposal seeks powerful alliesToledo wants to increase the legal age for vaping and smoking tobacco from 18 to 21 in Florida. They said they're also working on hammering out the details of the Tobacco 21 proposal with sponsors. The Tobacco 21 proposal ran into several issues during the 2019 session, with the tobacco and vaping industries working to water down the legislation.
State says it is working with CDC on Hepatitis A
Read full article: State says it is working with CDC on Hepatitis AA microscopic image of the Hepatitis A virus, taken by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health is working with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address a hepatitis A outbreak and hopes the partnership will help expand vaccinations, state officials said Wednesday. Jeanette Nunez described as increasing our vaccination outreach.The state reported 1,718 cases of hepatitis A between Jan. 1 and June 29. Despite efforts to promote vaccinations, the state reported 346 cases between May 31 and June 29. State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, who serves as secretary of the Department of Health, and Nunez announced the partnership with the CDC in the news release.
Legislative leaders see boosts in net worth
Read full article: Legislative leaders see boosts in net worthOliva reported a $15.2 million net worth, bolstered by $7.25 million in bank and investment accounts and $5.59 million in real estate investments. The $15.2 million number was up from a net worth of $13.65 million as of Dec. 31, 2017, reports show. An attorney who chairs the House Rules Committee, Sprowls had reported a net worth of $232,879 a year ago. Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican who listed a net worth of nearly $25.92 million, is in line to take over as Senate president after the 2020 elections. Simpson has seen his net worth grow 66.5 percent since being elected to the Senate in 2012.
New laws impact vegetable gardens, texting, vaping, hemp, health care
Read full article: New laws impact vegetable gardens, texting, vaping, hemp, health careA measure taking effect Monday (SB 1020) creates a hemp program in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. On a much-smaller growing scale, a new law (SB 82) prevents local governments from regulating homeowners vegetable gardens. INSURANCE: After years of battles about the issue, a new law (HB 7065) overhauls the controversial insurance practice known as assignment of benefits. Another new law (HB 487) will allow paramedics to carry firearms while participating with law-enforcement officers in certain high risk situations. Meanwhile, a new law (HB 311) will block local governments from enacting rules about autonomous vehicles that are different than what is imposed on non-autonomous vehicles.