Florida lawmakers to address Disney’s Reedy Creek, migration impact during special session
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — State lawmakers are in Tallahassee Monday for the start of a special session. DeSantis called the session last week. Watch: DeSantis: 20 major roadway, interstate projects in Florida will be completed in 4 yearsDeSantis asked lawmakers to work on a plan to dissolve Disney’s self-governing power through the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Lawmakers are also expected to look at the impacts to the Florida Keys after migrants ended up there last month. weighs mandating menstrual cycle details for female athletesThe special session is expected to last about 20 days.
wftv.comCourse framework for controversial AP African American Studies class released
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The course framework for the controversial AP African American Studies class is now public. The College Board released it Wednesday after weeks of criticism from Florida lawmakers, but the new documents had some notable differences from what leaked before. The new framework appeared to reduce the importance of those most controversial parts, particularly around modern Black movements and political debates. READ: NAACP responds to DeSantis banning AP African American Studies courseStudents can now choose to write about those topics in a final course essay, which the board said is among many options students and political appointees can pick from at will. The board leader told The New York Times the changes were made after feedback showed the readings the last quarter was based on were too dense.
wftv.comCommunities along Indian River Lagoon look to improve water quality thanks to state funding
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — For years communities along the Indian River Lagoon have worked to find ways to restore one of Brevard’s most precious resources. Read: DeSantis asks for $3 billion toward environmental projects in Everglades, Indian River LagoonOne plan calls for installing 48,000 square foot floating wetlands near the North Fiske stormwater pond. The city will then install an underground filtration system that, when combined with the wetlands, should prevent about 2500 pounds of nitrogen and 450 pounds of phosphorus from contaminating the Indian river lagoon yearly. Read: DeSantis reups Florida environment pledge made 4 years agoThanks to the nearly 20 million dollars recently earmarked by the state, dozens of other projects by communities along the Indian River Lagoon will help to support water quality improvement. Senger said that’s not only good for the lagoon but good for business.
wftv.comWhat we know about AP African American Studies, and why Florida doesn’t want it
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Department of Education leaders are refusing to explain why the College Board’s new AP African American Studies (APAAS) class “lacks educational value,” one day after a letter informing the Board that the class couldn’t be taught in the Sunshine State was made public. That sets it apart from the African American history classes commonly found in high schools. “I find it hard to believe that a governor, state employees, or state politicians are also qualified historians who can say whether any AP history course has “historically inaccurate information.” Howard University History Department Chair Dr. Nikki Taylor said. “Only historians can make such calls, not politicians.”Dr. Christopher Tinson, chair of the African American Studies department at St. Louis University, was involved in vetting the course curriculum. He said he wanted a class that didn’t begin the African American experience with slavery, and also wanted to focus on topics like how the Haitian Revolution helped expand the US.
wftv.comVice President Harris to speak in Florida on Roe anniversary
ORLANDO, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to Florida on Sunday to speak about abortion on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It’s a bitter historical milestone for the Biden administration after the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back the national right to abortion last year. Read: Central Florida reacts to the overturning of Roe v. WadeHarris has led the White House’s focus on reproductive rights, and her speech is intended to signal that the administration isn’t giving up on the issue. DeSantis announces additional $500 million in hurricane recovery fundingWatch this video below:VIDEO: House passes two Republican-backed abortion measures The Republican-led House passed two abortion-related measures Wednesday in a move that reflects the new direction of the House under a GOP majority. (Samantha Manning, CMG Washington News Bureau/WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.com‘There’s a zero gain’: DeSantis’ choice for vaccine grand jury a waste of money, attorney says
DeSantis’ call for a grand jury investigation regarding COVID vaccines, adding that the decision will amount to a net loss for everyone except the governor himself. NeJame said DeSantis would gain by putting himself in the headlines, something he has already benefited from the announcement itself. “You’ve heard the old saying that a grand jury could indict a ham sandwich, and the reason for that is it’s a one-sided presentation,” NeJame said. CDC data show more than 82% of Floridians have received at least one COVID vaccine dose. VIDEO: CDC report shows long COVID contributed to 3,500+ deaths Thousands of people have died from long COVID during the pandemic, according to a new report from the CDC.
wftv.com‘Most prolific school discipline policy’ coming to Brevard County, but few specifics announced
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard County school and law enforcement leaders have announced they’re looking to make big changes to the district’s student discipline policy. The chair of the Brevard County School Board is pushing for a major overhaul that some are calling “the most prolific school discipline policy” the district has ever had. However, the school board chairman has not yet revealed any specifics about what’s included in the policy. The chairman said he will call an emergency meeting next week to draft the policy with help from the sheriff, state attorney, and teacher and school support staff unions. Channel 9 reporter Ashley Edlund is working to gather more details on what the newest school discipline policy could entail.
wftv.comLettuce again on the Florida menu to slow manatee starvation
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Lettuce will be on the menu again this year for Florida manatees as part of an effort to slow the starvation deaths of the beloved marine mammals, wildlife officials said Wednesday. We will continue at that site,” said Ron Mezich of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. DeSantis pledges $30 million to help save Florida manatees VIDEO: Gov. DeSantis pledges $30 million to help save Florida manatees (Mike Springer, WFTV.com/WFTV)This year, through Nov. 4, 735 manatee deaths had been recorded, state statistics show. Watch: Florida manatee deaths slowing down, but still a concern, experts sayAlthough the starvation deaths are of great concern, Mezich said manatees are not in danger of extinction in Florida.
wftv.comState Emergency Management Chief Kevin Guthrie Calls for ‘Holistic’ Re-Engineering of Florida Coast
Rick Scott forbade the use of words like “climate change” in official documents). DeSantis isn’t fond of the words, either–he purposely puts the words in quote–or any “left-wing stuff” to fight it. “I will tell you, and this is 100 percent Kevin Guthrie talking from the hip,” Guthrie said. I think the answer to that is, to your point, Dave: we’ve got to rethink resiliency. “Certainly, Governor DeSantis in the last four years has done more for Everglades restoration and return to the natural flow of water in the Everglades than any other Republican governor ever in the history of the state,” Guthrie said.
flaglerlive.comPopular Ponce Inlet restaurant damaged in Hurricane Nicole, owner promises to rebuild
PONCE INLET, Fla. — The owner of Racing’s North Turn, a prominent Ponce Inlet beachside eating and live music venue, promised to repair the facility and reopen after its seawall and foundation were damaged by Hurricane Nicole. All day Friday, locals stopped by the area to check out the building after local social media feeds were flooded with photos of the damge from the storm surge. “We are working diligently to reopen and look forward to seeing everyone as soon as possible,” the owner wrote in a Facebook post thanking the community for its concern. “I don’t remember it being as far down,” Hagan noted, pointing to the sand level between the building and the beach access ramp. That’s amazing.”READ: DeSantis visits Wilbur-by-the-Sea to assess Hurricane Nicole damageHagan said he hoped the owner would be able to restore the restaurant quickly, though he expressed doubts when looking at the exposed foundation.
wftv.comMoody defeats Ayala in race for attorney general
ORLANDO, Fla. — Republican Ashley Moody has defeated Democrat Aramis Ayala in the race for attorney general, according to early election results. Moody has received nearly 60% of the votes, early results show. ELECTION LIVE UPDATES: DeSantis, Rubio and Moody all win reelectionMoody did not have an opponent in the primary. Ayala received national attention for refusing to seek the death penalty in murder cases, according to The Associated Press. READ: DeSantis projected winner against Crist in Florida governor raceIN-DEPTH: Central Florida counties prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole Central Florida counties are preparing for Tropical Storm Nicole.
wftv.com‘You are pure evil’: Parkland killer to get life, but families getting their say
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — (AP) — Parents, wives, children and siblings of the 17 people murdered by Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz finally got their chance after almost five years to verbally thrash him face-to-face — and those who accepted the opportunity didn’t waste it. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer has no choice but to impose that sentence as the jury in Cruz’s penalty trial could not unanimously agree that he deserved the death penalty. Many also criticized a Florida law that requires jury unanimity for a death sentence to be imposed — Cruz’s jurors voted 9-3 on Oct. 13 for his execution. He said he felt a pain in his chest — he believes it was a sign of his sister’s death. DeSantis calls on changes to death penalty law after Parkland shooter sentencing hearing“To go from a younger brother to an only child ... is a dramatic change for anyone,” he said.
wftv.comViral TikTok emu fights to survive avian flu that struck its entire South Florida farm
You might know of Emmanuel the Emu, the viral TikTok sensation, from hilarious videos taken at a farm in South Florida. But what you might not know is that the animal has been fighting for its life this past week after being sickened with the avian flu.
‘It’s my home and I love it here’: Mims residents still reeling from Hurricane Ian flooding
MIMS, Fla. — The brunt of Hurricane Ian’s wrath spared Brevard County, but some people living near the Saint Johns River are still wading through floodwaters. On Friday, Channel 9 visited the Fawn Lake community just north of Main Street in Mims, where some homes are surrounded by water. READ: Central Florida election officials work to ensure Hurricane Ian doesn’t impact voting“I feel so helpless,” resident Phyllis Dearborn said. DeSantis speaks about Hurricane Ian recovery in Daytona BeachWhile residents in some Central Florida counties are eligible for FEMA assistance, Brevard County residents are not. However, county officials are working with the state and FEMA to explore that possibility.
wftv.comCentral Florida election officials work to ensure Hurricane Ian doesn’t impact voting
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Election offices are taking steps right now to make sure people can vote in the upcoming election that is only 32 days away. The Supervisor of Elections Office in Osceola County said staff will come to Heritage Park to help people get their vote-by-mail ballots submitted. DeSantis speaks about Hurricane Ian recovery in Daytona BeachThe supervisor said they have asked management at Good Samaritan to assist in reaching out to those residents displaced. A check of polling places in the county by the supervisor showed they will all be ready for November. DeSantis speaks about Hurricane Ian recovery in Daytona Beach The governor was joined by Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Shawn Hamilton.
wftv.comAmid homeowner’s insurance crisis, residents brace for Hurricane Ian
ORLANDO, Fla. — Windermere resident Geoff Goetz isn’t a meteorologist, but lately he’s been keeping eye on the forecast. DeSantis suspends tolls in Tampa Bay, urges Floridians to prepare, not panic for Hurricane Ian“The roof is still good, but I can’t find coverage,” says Geoff. For people like Geoff, the approaching hurricane only highlights the precarious position Florida is currently in with its property insurance market. READ: NASA to move Artemis 1 rocket to VAB over Hurricane Ian concernsSince the first of the year six private carriers have gone into liquidation, with the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance seeing its ranks swell to more than one million policies. “We are defiantly in a hard market which is characterized by a lack of coverage and lack of availability,” says property insurance attorney Gina Clausen Lozier.
wftv.comPresident Joe Biden delays Florida trip, approves emergency declaration for state
ORLANDO, Fla. — As Tropical Storm Ian continues to strengthen, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, the White House said in a release. The move will authorize the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Read: Florida Keys under tropical storm watch, Central Florida remains in Ian’s pathThe agencies will also be able to provide assistance to residents and properties impacted by Ian. DeSantis gives updates on Florida’s emergency response to IanThe president was also scheduled to appear at an event in Florida on Tuesday but has postponed his planned trip because of the storm. Read: Central Floridians fill sandbags as Tropical Storm Ian threatens Central FloridaCentral Florida Spotlight: Hurricane safety August was quiet in the tropics, but we still have a few months left to go of hurricane season.
wftv.comPerson injured after shooting in Daytona Beach, police say
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A person is injured after a shooting in Daytona Beach, police said. Daytona Beach police said they received an aggravated battery call in the 900 block of Vine Street at around 7:00 p.m.Read: Central Florida residents prepare ahead of Tropical Storm IanDBPD said one person was shot and transported to Halifax Hospital Medical Center, where they remain in critical condition. Read: Tropical Storm Ian continues to organize, gains strength as its track shifts westDeputies said that upon initial investigation, the motive behind the shooting could be related to “road rage.”Read: Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency for Tropical Storm IanResidents are asked to avoid the area. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comMy cousin died in the Parkland shooting, which is why Floridians should elect Charlie Crist | Opinion
We are at a breaking point in Florida. Active-shooter drills have become my generation’s nuclear “duck and cover” exercises. And while children are still dying in their classrooms, Gov. DeSantis’ only concern is with school safety and mental health, while ignoring the real crux of the problem, easy access to weapons of war.
news.yahoo.comFlorida reports 89,119 COVID cases as Pfizer submits updated booster for FDA approval
Pfizer asked U.S. regulators to approve its combination COVID-19 vaccine that adds protection against the newest omicron strains after the Food and Drug Administration ordered the minds behind the vaccine to tweak their shots.
Here’s a list of DeSantis-backed school board candidates who won election night
Gov. Ron DeSantis backed a group of 30 school board candidates prior to Tuesday’s election primaries. With nearly all precincts reporting their votes in these races as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, at least 19 of those candidates seem likely to win.