FEMA

Three teams have been deployed to hospitals across the state of Michigan amid its fourth surge.

The iconic wooden pier in Flagler Beach has taken a hit and been damaged in several storms and hurricanes over the last decade. City commissioners voted last week to replace it.

Sterling Guidry's home was destroyed during Hurricane Ida when a tree fell through it.

Puerto Rico residents, who are U.S. citizens, are not eligible to get the advance child tax credit payments that have lifted many children out of poverty.

FEMA announced Thursday that it will no longer require disaster survivors living on inherited land to prove they own their homes before they can get help rebuilding.

Louisiana is beginning the tough task of recovery after Hurricane Ida swept through the state's coast and caused significant damage and power outages.

Biden President Joe Biden listens during a FEMA briefing on Hurricane Ida in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Washington. Biden was traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for a "dignified transfer" movement, a military ritual of receiving the remains of fallen troops killed in foreign combat. “The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others,” Biden said in a statement Saturday. Like his three most recent predecessors as presidents, who all attended dignified transfers for troops killed in the nearly 20-year-old Afghanistan war, Biden is expected to meet with the families of the fallen before returning to Washington. The 13 troops who died in Kabul were the first U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan since February 2020.

More than 619,000 people have died in the U.S. from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

More than 619,000 people have died in the U.S. from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

FEMA needs to do coordinated tests with the FCC.

FEMA is raising rates for homeowners who live closer to sources of flooding.

FEMA is raising rates for homeowners who live closer to sources of flooding.

CVS Health has stopped offering J&J's single-dose Covid-19 in its pharmacies but will continue to make the shots available at certain MinuteClinic locations.

Unvaccinated counties could see increased rates of delta variant transmission.

TOWN SQUARE | Some homeowners may want to consider getting flood insurance even if their home isn’t in a flood zone.

The Biden administration has provided assistance to rescue efforts through FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Journalists have accused DeSantis of throttling the condo-collapse-emergency response.

"The people that got out are never gonna go back and live in that building, of course. And so some of them have lost everything that they had," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Administrator testifies for congressional subcommittee seeking reforms at the agency after approval rates for disaster aid fell to an all-time low this year.

Flood insurance helps in the event there is a disaster, declaration or not. FEMA's disaster relief aid is only issued if a disaster declaration is made.

After breaking service records in 2020, FEMA officials urge people to prep for hurricane season ahead of time to ensure safety before, during and after a tropical system.

President Biden said he insists on "nothing less than readiness for all these challenges."

More than 4,400 Tennesseans have applied for FEMA's Funeral Assistance Program in its first month.

Just 46% of respondents said they were at least somewhat confident in the J&J shot, compared with 69% who said the same for Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines.

Orange County residents who are overdue on their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to complete the series as quickly as possible, especially as the two largest sites in the region wind down operations.

The FEMA COVID-19 vaccination site at Valencia College’s West Campus is winding down operations as it plans to shut down in a few weeks. To get ready for the closure, first doses will stop being administered soon.

The FEMA-backed vaccination sites across Florida resumed the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Sunday but were met with low demand for the shots.

The rate of U.S. vaccinations continued to slide in recent days as average daily case counts dropped below 60,000 on Friday for the first time since March 25.

Turnout was so low following an 11-day pause of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine at a central Florida FEMA-run site that about 90% of the daily supply went unused.

Officials at the FEMA-backed vaccination site located at the Valencia College west campus said operations have been temporarily paused Sunday due to storms.

The vaccination site at Valencia College West Campus is offering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine again following the suspension of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine last week.

This week, first doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available again at FEMA’s mass vaccination site at Valencia College’s west campus.

FEMA-backed vaccination sites in Florida will once again administer the first shots of the Pfizer vaccine starting next week

The state announced Wednesday that FEMA-backed vaccine sites, like the one in Orlando, will resume administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine while use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is on pause.

Across Central Florida, officials at COVID-19 vaccination sites scrambled to adjust operations as federal health authorities called for a temporary pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson formula.

Operations at the FEMA-backed vaccination site located at the Valencia College west campus has been delayed Sunday due to severe weather.

FEMA is launching a massive funeral assistance program to help families of the half million Americans who have died from COVID-19 Monday.

Florida will see about 276,000 fewer doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week compared to the allocation the state received this week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nearly half of new virus infections nationwide are in just five states -- including Florida.

According to CDC tracking data, Florida will be receiving 88% fewer doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine next week.

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Chicago area and the rest of Illinois.

A Florida state agency says dam safety experts consider the risk of a possible second breach in a leaking wastewater reservoir to be “unsubstantiated.”.

FEMA-run COVID-19 vaccination sites in Orange County will be administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine primarily starting today. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a...

The FEMA-backed vaccine site at Valencia College West Campus reached capacity early on the first day of vaccine eligibility for anyone 16 or older.

Many people spent part of their Easter morning getting vaccinated at the Valencia College west campus FEMA site as it prepares to open up to people 18 and older Monday.

As Floridians begin celebrating their Easter weekend, many of them are just days away from being eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

On Tuesday, the four FEMA-backed vaccinations sites in Florida will no longer offer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine and will switch to Johnson & Johnson.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Convention Center was considered as a potential location to provide shelter for unaccompanied migrant children but because the site is so busy, that won’t be happening. The Orange County Convention Center closed for several months last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but started hosting major events again in July 2020. Since then, dozens of shows have relocated to Central Florida and the convention center has a busy schedule through the summer. In August 2019, the Office of Refugee Resettlement was considering a vacant property on Landstreet Road in Orlando, near the Florida Mall, to be used to shelter unaccompanied migrant children. In that same letter, the ORR said that there were 5,400 unaccompanied migrant children in its care spread out across 120 facilities in 23 states.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Margie Johnson, 70, received the 100,000th dose of the vaccine at the FEMA supported vaccine site at Valencia College West Campus. Johnson said she took the bus from downtown Orlando to get her second dose at the site when she was surprised by workers inside. She got her second vaccine at the site at Valencia College West Campus. Mirna Gomez went to Valencia College on Tuesday morning to avoid any possible rush next week. Organizers at the FEMA site said they will be able to hand out 3,000 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine every day.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Starting Monday, individuals 40 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida. John Papa, 40, was among the group getting his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine. The Florida Department of Health clarified on Friday that Floridians who are 16 or older will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine on April 5 as well. According to the department, the Pfizer vaccine is the exception because it is the only vaccine currently authorized for individuals under the age of 18. AdThe news comes as Florida is scheduled to receive more than 700,000 vaccine doses this week.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Those wishing to get the COVID-19 vaccine at one of the FEMA sites across the state will now have longer to do so. Starting Monday, all four sites will offer 3,000 first doses per day at each of the four locations thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health to reallocate state vaccine supply to those sites. News 6 has contacted the Florida Department of Health for additional information on when first doses will no longer be offered. So far, 300,000 individuals have gotten inoculated at the FEMA sites.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The federally-supported vaccine sites in Florida, including in Orlando, will continue to offer first dose coronavirus vaccines until April 7, the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced Monday. The FEMA-supported sites in Orlando at Valencia College as well as in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami were set to begin administering only second doses of the vaccine but will continue to offer 500 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine per day from March 24 to April 7, according to a news release. Beginning April 7, these sites will only offer the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine through April 14. Satellite sites associated with each federally-supported hub site will continue only administering second dose shots between March 24 – April 14. The federally-supported sites were only supposed to be open for eight weeks.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – FEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site in Orange County one day before the state expands eligibility requirements. Cars weaved through the cones as the line moved quickly at the new FEMA mobile vaccine site at the South Orange Youth Sports Complex. The site is offering 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine Sunday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This marks the last couple of days FEMA is administering first doses at the main vaccination site at the west campus of Valencia College and its mobile sites. “Now we’ll go back to those same places three weeks later to give the second doses,” Prudhom said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The COVID-19 vaccination site at the west campus at Valencia College in Orlando will only issue second doses of the coronavirus vaccine starting Wednesday, according to the Florida Emergency Management. FEMA officials said the site was designed to remain in the community for eight weeks. The move to second doses only was made to make sure everyone who has already received the first dose at the FEMA site will get their second dose, according to officials. [TRENDING: Woman arrested in hit-run involving sheriff | Gov: Fla. won’t require ‘vaccine passports’ | Girl missing for weeks]AdFlorida is planning to offer the one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine from April 14-28 at the Orlando site, according to FEMA. FEMA said state officials will work with the federal government if these sites should remain open after April 28.

Ron DeSantis on Friday issues an executive order explicitly setting the lower age limit of the Florida's COVID-19 vaccination guidelines at 50 . “There’s a structure in the state of Florida on how these decisions are made.”In spite of this, Orange County plans to go ahead with vaccinations of anyone over the age of 40. "Orange County has completed 67% of the 65 and older population and 57% of the 60 and older population," he wrote. "In addition, Orange County has a larger amount of the younger population compared to many other counties. "I was elected to work on the behalf of the citizens of Orange County and I take that responsibility seriously," he told us.

Ron DeSantis said Wednesday, however, that contact tracing efforts are not working. “I think we have to admit that contact tracing has just not worked, OK,” DeSantis said. Contact tracing is a method of controlling COVID-19 by identifying the origin of infection, mapping it and asking people to quarantine. If you have not received your payment yet, the IRS urges you to file your 2020 taxes to get the money. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In efforts to bring vaccine shots to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access, FEMA on Thursday opened a vaccine satellite site at the Northwest Neighborhood Center in Orlando. Ed Kirk, 65, said he drove from Melbourne to get his vaccine at the Northwest Community Center. Click here to see if you qualify for the vaccine under Orange County guidelines. Individuals can also head to Central Florida’s main FEMA site at Valencia College’s west campus in Orlando. AdFor more information about vaccination sites in Orange County, visit ocfl.net/vaccine.

Biden administration sends FEMA to border to help care for unaccompanied migrant children The Biden administration is deploying FEMA to the southern border to help handle a surge in unaccompanied migrant children. Washington Post reporter Nick Miroff joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with more on how the administration is responding, and the conditions teenagers are fleeing in other countries.

Biden facing pressure amid surge in migrants at border President Biden has deployed FEMA to help with the influx of migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joined CBSN to discuss how the administration is responding.

click to enlarge Photo courtesy Wikimedia CommonsOrange CountySouth Econ Park GymThis FEMA-run, drive-thru site is operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Mary Jane Arrington Gym & Aquatic CenterThis site is offering 500 vaccinations a day on a first-come, first-served basis.It's located at 625 Country Club Dr, Poinciana. Lake CountySt. Patrick Catholic ChurchThis site is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis. Amazon Distribution SiteThis site is open Tuesday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Florida pharmacies and businessesThe state of Florida officially loosened the age requirements to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

Eye Opener: FEMA deployed to assist with influx of minors at southern border The Biden administration is deploying FEMA to assist with the mass influx of minors arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. Also, a major winter storm is creating dangerous travel conditions across the Rockies. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener. Your world in 90 seconds.

More than 4,200 unaccompanied minors held in border patrol custody, FEMA deployed to assist CBS News has learned that more than 4,200 unaccompanied migrant children are being held in government custody. Because of the lack of space, due in part to COVID-19 restrictions, the children are being held in short-term facilities, some of which are designed to detain adults. The Department of Homeland Security is deploying FEMA to help address the surge of minors who have crossed the border. They will help provide food, water and basic medical care. Weijia Jiang reports.

More than 4,200 unaccompanied minors held in border patrol custody, FEMA deployed to assist CBS News has learned that more than 4,200 unaccompanied migrant children are being held in government custody. Because of the lack of space, due in part to COVID-19 restrictions, the children are being held in short-term facilities, some of which are designed to detain adults. The Department of Homeland Security is deploying FEMA to help address the surge of minors who have crossed the border. They will help provide food, water and basic medical care. Weijia Jiang reports.

The health care group includes first responders, such as firefighters and paramedics as well as Department of Health staff. New FEMA vaccine site is now open in Orange CountyFEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site on Sunday to serve people in east Orange County. Leaders said community canvassers will go door-to-door in neighborhoods to help more people get the COVID-19 vaccine. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Vaccine events focus on school employees as Florida reports 5,244 new COVID-19 cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 14. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 3,699 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,976,808 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020.

FEMA to help process migrant kids as lawyers reveal disturbing conditions they endure The Biden administration is enlisting FEMA to help process the record number of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S., Mexico border as lawyers detail the harrowing conditions migrant children shared with them at a facility in Donna, Texas. CBS News immigration reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez joins CBSN's Nikki Battiste to discuss how conditions in the facility became so deteriorated and how the Biden administration aims to alleviate the overcrowded facility.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – FEMA opened a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination site on Sunday to serve people in east Orange County. The site is at South Econ Park located at 3850 South Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. It’s open through Wednesday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Alejandro Cuevas and Sonia Fuentes said they spent months trying to get the COVID-19 vaccine. [TRENDING: SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites | Weekend vaccine events for OCPS employees | Family speaks after deadly shooting]AdThe walk-up site is administering 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine daily. He wants his vaccine,” Rosales said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new pilot program is launching in Orange County next week. Leaders said community canvassers will go door-to-door in neighborhoods to help more people get the COVID-19 vaccine. County officials said the concern is that some communities don’t have proper access to a vaccination site or may not have enough information. The goal of the program is to have trusted members of the community help get eligible individuals vaccinated inside their homes. AdOrange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe said that the county is actively seeking ways to increase the outreach to neighborhoods where vaccination numbers are low.

The decision was made because only 37% of the initial appointments as of Sunday were grabbed by Chicago residents, spurring FEMA officials to fear the communities hardest hit by the pandemic were not getting their share of the vaccine, city and state officials said. That goal of getting shots to the groups that need it the most is often branded as “equity” by those leaders, including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Pritzker.

"The COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately affected communities of color and underserved populations," Murphy said in the press release, "and this funding will help our hardest-hit communities recover quickly from the pandemic." True Health is based in Sanford, and has clinic locations across Central Florida. True Health Chief Executive Officer Janelle Dunn said they serve large uninsured and underserved populations. "True Health providers and staff were able to ease patients' fears with education and a smooth vaccination process," Dunn said in a press statement. "Murphy says the federal health center program is "essential to increase vaccine accessibility and keep Central Florida safe at this critical time.

ORLANDO, Fla. – As President Joe Biden is poised to approve the next coronavirus relief bill, Florida continues to increase access to vaccines. Florida is getting more vaccine dosesThe state is once again seeing an increase in supply when it comes to Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. HospitalizationsAs of Wednesday afternoon, there were currently 3,213 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state. As of Wednesday afternoon, 3,784,870 people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

click image Photo courtesy FEMA/FacebookTwo more FEMA COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in partnership with Orange County locally, beginning Thursday of this week.On March 11-13, a pop-up FEMA vaccine site is opening up at Barnett Park — which is also still doing COVID-19 testing through the end of March — andfrom March 14-17 another site will open at South Econ Park for those three days.These two pop-up sites are walk-up only, no appointments needed.As of this writing, the following groups are eligible for vaccination in Orange County: residents 65 years old and up (this will change to 60+ on March 15); long-term care facility residents and staff; health care professionals of any age with patient contact; law enforcement officers and first responders of any age; educators and staff of any age at K-12 schools, daycare facilities; those deemed "medically vulnerable" with the required paperwork in hand.More information on vaccination criteria in Orange County can be found on the Vaccine Information website.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – FEMA will open a satellite vaccine site in Poinciana on Thursday. Crews will be administering shots at Mary Jane Arrington Gym and Aquatic Center at 625 Country Club Drive as a ‘spoke site.’ Spoke sites are intended to target minority communities who may struggle to have access to a coronavirus vaccine. The site can provide up to 500 doses a day to area residents. The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County is also administering shots at Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. AdThere is also a state-run vaccination site at Chambers Park Community Center in Kissimmee which is offering vaccinations seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for at least the next two months.

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA’s mobile vaccination site will be setting up in Orlando’s Pine Hills neighborhood on Thursday. The walk-up site will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday at Barnett Park. Shots are available to all those eligible, including seniors, law enforcement over the age of 50 and K-12 educators. People hoping to get vaccinated can get their shots in the gymnasium. The mobile site will be moved to South Econ Park Gym on March 14.

ORLANDO, Fla. – With nearly 2 million people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, Florida continues to slowly expand eligibility for the shots. Florida to lower vaccine eligibility next weekBeginning March 15, Florida plans to expand vaccine eligibility to anyone 60 or older. Ad[READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: After busy weekend at FEMA vaccine sites, Florida reports nearly 3,500 new COVID-19 cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 9. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 4,505 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,952,733 cases since the virus was first detected last March. AdAs of Tuesday afternoon, 3,658,030 people have received at least the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

APOPKA, Fla. – FEMA opened a new pop-up vaccination site at Kelly Park in Apopka on Sunday. Cars lined up for miles weaving through the trees as people waited for their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He joined hundreds of others who waited to receive the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the pop-up FEMA vaccination site at Kelly Park. The drive-thru mobile site is offering 500 shots daily through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Noemi Iris Menedez said she prayed to get the vaccine and now feels thankful to be protected.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and his team have identified underserved communities in the Orlando area that will be the first to benefit from new mobile COVID-19 vaccination units that FEMA is bringing to Central Florida. The two mobile units will operate in conjunction with the federal vaccination site opening at Valencia College’s West Campus starting Wednesday. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he was glad to see that Engelwood residents will be among the first to benefit from FEMA’s new mobile sites. “On March the 7th, the state of Florida vaccine site will open at Shiloh Baptist Church, which is in Parramore. “With one dose, I think that’s, for many, that’s that’s exciting.

ORLANDO, Fla. – With more people eligible for vaccines, crowds are expected to increase at area vaccination sites this weekend. Both FEMA and Orlando police said Friday that they are planning for the increased amount of people. AdThe Orlando Police Department said that is has been monitoring the traffic flow in and out of federally operated vaccination sites. OCPS encouraged staff to use the Valencia West Campus location because it is open 7 a.m. to 7 pm., seven days a week. The location is currently giving out both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

In the meantime, health officials said it’s important to keep following the current guidelines even after getting the vaccine. When prevention measures like mask mandates are rolled back, cases go up,” Walensky said. A representative of Osceola County said they have no plans to relax their mask mandate anytime soon. A Volusia County spokesperson said in a statement:Ad“Here in Volusia County, while some cities have mask mandates, Volusia County Government never instituted one. We never had a mask mandate, and we do not plan to start one.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine is now being distributed at the FEMA vaccination site in Orlando. I texted my daughter ‘I just got the single-dose Johnson and Johnson so I am good to go,’” she said. People are busy and I just wanted to do it with one thing.”Szczech said each FEMA site is receiving 6,000 J&J doses per week. She said 500 doses will be used each day at the main site with another 500 going to one of the satellite sites. With the addition of the J&J vaccine, the Orlando FEMA site is also increasing its daily capacity to 3,000 doses total, according to Tim Beattie, with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

A full list of vaccine sites throughout Central Florida can be found here. Ad[READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Vaccine eligibility expands as Florida reports 6,144 new COVID-19 cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 5. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 5,941 new cases on Friday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,936,207 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020. HospitalizationsAs of Friday afternoon, there were currently 3,419 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

As of Thursday morning, nearly 1.78 million Floridians have had their vaccinations complete, according to the Florida Department of Health. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Federally backed vaccine site opens in Orlando as state reports 5,555 new COVID-19 cases]Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 4. AdCasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 6,144 new cases on Thursday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,930,232 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state. As of Thursday afternoon, 3,258,997 people have received at least the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

click image Photo courtesy FEMA/FacebookA FEMA worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccination syringe. FEMA-run COVID-19 vaccination sites and several major pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program in Florida will now vaccinate all K-12 teachers, school employees and day care workers, regardless of age.In line with updated guidelines from the CDC for the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program — and President Biden's call to prioritize educators in vaccine distribution — federal vaccine sites, much like punk shows, are now all-ages operations as far as eligibility age for teachers and child care workers. Ron DeSantis has yet to update state vaccination guidelines in line with the new federal rules. Ron DeSantis questioned the logic of the broader federal guidelines during a news conference, saying, “The federal government put that order in and so that they’ve made the teachers regardless of age eligible. "FEMA is currently running multiple vaccination sites in the greater Orlando area, and locations and appointment openings for participating pharmacies in Florida can be found on the Publix Walmart and CVS websites, respectively.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The second day of Orlando’s FEMA mass vaccination site began with higher turnout after the location failed to reach its 2,000-dose capacity on Wednesday. The site nearly reached 90% capacity on day one, according to officials, blaming the lower-than-expected turnout on the wet weather Wednesday morning and the fact that it was the first day. So, day by day, we’re making improvements to this site to make sure that we can take care of the people of Orlando,” Fisher said. FEMA vaccine site at Valencia College in Orlando (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Second day of operation at FEMA site in Orlando saw a higher turnout (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – People 65 and older who cannot drive themselves to the FEMA vaccine site at Valencia College’s West Campus can now hitch a free ride through Lynx. The transportation service will have a driver pick up a patient at their residence, drive them to the FEMA site, wait with them through the vaccination process and then take them back home again. Lynx said it needs at least a two-day prior notice for a ride to the FEMA or OCCC sites. AdNo appointments are needed to receive a vaccine at the FEMA site, but people eligible for a vaccine can pre-register by clicking or tapping here. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new federally-run COVID-19 vaccination site opened up at Valencia College’s West Campus in Orlando on Wednesday. FEMA officials are now hoping to get the word out. Officials encourage you to pre-register for a vaccine at https://myvaccine.fl.gov/, officials at the site say you can walk-up and register on-site. Colonel Fisher told News 6 they will begin offering the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine with more details to come within a few days. The fixed FEMA site is located at Valencia College - West Campus at 1800 S. Kirkman Road in Orlando.

FEMA opening hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination sites nationwide Hundreds of FEMA vaccination sites are opening up nationwide. Government officials say the goal is to increase vaccine access to underserved communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga goes inside one site that's set to open to the public in Philadelphia.

FEMA opening hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination sites nationwide Hundreds of FEMA vaccination sites are opening up nationwide. Government officials say the goal is to increase vaccine access to underserved communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga goes inside one site that's set to open to the public in Philadelphia.

FEMA opening hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination sites nationwide Hundreds of FEMA vaccination sites are opening up nationwide. Government officials say the goal is to increase vaccine access to underserved communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga goes inside one site that's set to open to the public in Philadelphia.

click to enlarge Photo via Magic 107.7We're moving in the right direction as far as COVID vaccines are concerned. At Orange County's latest briefing, Mayor Jerry Demings said three separate FEMA-run vaccine sites will open tomorrow in the Orlando area. Here's where — LINKAlso on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cleared the way for police, fire fighters and K-12 teachers over the age of 50 to receive the vaccine. – LINKThere won't be windmills and clown faces, but Tiger Woods' new putt-putt golf course in East Orlando will have you teeing up for a hole in one.

click image Photo courtesy Orange County FL Governemtn/FacebookThree FEMA-run COVID-19 vaccination sites in the greater Orlando area will open in rapid succession starting Wednesday, March 3.During Monday's Orange County Government Coronavirus Update press briefing, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings revealed logistical details for the three federally-run vaccination sites.The hub location is located at Valencia College on Kirkman Road and will have the capacity to administer 2,000 does of vaccine per day.Then there will be two supplemental temporary satellite locations. The first will be at the Edgewood Neighborhood Center on La Costa Drive from March 3-7, and then the second will open at Kelly Park in Apopka from March 7-10.You can make appointments for these FEMA vaccine sites online myvaccine.fl.gov . These locations will operate in tandem with the vaccination site at the Orange County Convention Center and retail locations like Winn-Dixie and Walmart.Address information and hours are below:1800 S. Kirkman Road6123 La Costa Drive400 E. Kelly Park Road, ApopkaGov. Ron DeSantis has expanded vaccine eligibility statewide to include the " extremely vulnerable " as well as teachers and first responders over the age of 50.

click to enlarge Photo: Ron DeSantis on TwitterGov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that four FEMA-supported vaccination sites will open on March 3 in Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville.According to a DeSantis representative , the sites will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will administer 2,000 jabs per day. In order to register, individuals can call their county vaccine hotline or register online Rep. Val Demings of Florida's 10th congressional district applauded President Biden's push to open more vaccine sites. "This new vaccination site is proof that the new administration is making fast, fair, and efficient vaccine distribution the top priority that it should be," Demings said. "I strongly support the administration's effort to directly coordinate vaccine distribution, a change of strategy from the last administration's 'hands-off' approach.

Acting FEMA administrator on Texas weather, power crisis, strategy during pandemic Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the weather, power and water crises in Texas.

President-elect Joe Biden plans to use FEMA and the National Guard to build coronavirus vaccine clinics across the United States, according to new details of his Covid-19 vaccination plan released by his transition team on Friday. Drug store chains and pharmacies were supposed to take on a larger role in distributing the vaccine once the government expanded access to more people. The group estimated that the country's retail pharmacies could administer at least 100 million doses of vaccines each month, which would exceed the incoming administration's promise of 100 million shots in 100 days. ET, more than 31.1 million doses of vaccine had been distributed across the U.S., but just over 12.2 million shots have been administered, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the plan, Biden will also invoke the Defense Production Act to "maximize the manufacture of vaccine and vaccine supplies for the country."

Vice President Mike Pence listens during a briefing about the upcoming presidential inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, at FEMA headquarters, January 14, 2021, in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence called his soon-to-be successor, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, to congratulate her and offer his assistance before she and President-elect Joe Biden are sworn in next Wednesday, a person familiar with the matter said. The phone call on Thursday between Pence and Harris marked their first discussion since they debated publicly last fall during the vicious presidential campaign. President Donald Trump, who spent weeks angrily denying his election loss to Biden while falsely asserting widespread fraud, has not called the incoming president. The New York Times first reported the call, which it described as gracious and pleasant.

[RELATED - DOWNLOAD: News 6 Hurricane Preparedness Checklist]The key point this year is you get ready for hurricane season, he said. And the additional part -- COVID-19 -- add mask, gloves and sanitizers to your kit.Lawmakers have been anticipating a change to emergency management plans as hurricane season approaches. If were not careful, I think were making too much about COVID and hurricane season, he said. This goes back to this idea buy local, hire local. In the 2020 hurricane season, that may actually be a better response because we can put people to work. Again, I go into the hurricane season, everybodys been telling me Oh, its gonna be horrible.'

That de facto mission statement rings true with Eustis American Legion post adjutant, Gloria Corbet, who reminds LZ LAKEHAWK readers to "be not dismayed" at this year's virus-driven prohibition against large gatherings. "Or put a wreath on the door or a photo of a fallen warrior who is important to you. Im not going to go into the analytics of that, but just want to say that good memories are good and bad memories are not so good. (But the bad ones are helpful in healing when handled rightly, the good ones are the ones that make one feel good and especially can put one in fine fettle to help someone else.) Join Keith Friday mornings on 1410 AM with station manager James Floyd and Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Peters.

For example, California is procuring technology from Ohio-based technology research organization Battelle, which should allow it to sanitize some 80,000 used medical-grade N95 masks per day, making them essentially as good as new. The system, which should arrive to California on Thursday, will help address mask shortages for health workers, first responders and other essential workers in the state. A medical grade N95 mask can be used 20 times over instead of just once if sanitized in this system. Gavin Newsom encouraged suppliers of PPE and medical equipment, including masks, ventilators and more, to list all the resources that they have to sell or donate, on a state-run site called covid19supplies.ca.gov. Cupertino-based Apple has committed to making 1 million face shields, and has already donated 20 million N95 masks to government organizations and hospitals.

Fourteen white tents opened for business in New York's famed Central Park this week to treat COVID-19 patients. More than half of the Empire State's coronavirus cases are in New York City, according to the state's coronavirus site. Sinai Hospital, which is located directly across the street from the tents in Central Park. Samaritan's Purse, an evangelical Christian disaster-relief organization run by Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, did the construction and is providing staff. Central Park is not.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to the media and members of the National Guard at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that the construction of a temporary hospital at the the Jacob K. Javits Center had been completed with the help of FEMA and the National Guard. The temporary hospital at the Javits Center in Manhattan is just the first of several that will be built in New York. Cuomo plans to have a temporary hospital in each of New York City's five boroughs as well as in Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties. Here are photos that show the transformation of the Javits Center into a temporary hospital:

More than two years after Hurricane Irma ripped through the area, FEMA finally reimbursed the City of Ormond Beach nearly $2 million. ORMOND BEACH More than two years after Hurricane Irma ripped through the area, FEMA finally reimbursed the City of Ormond Beach nearly $2 million to assist with the recovery effort. Last week, FEMA approved nearly $5 million to help Central Florida communities with clean-up costs from the 2017 storm. The hurricane washed out parts of State Road A1A, and storm surge pushed water into the Halifax River and flooded Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach. From Sept. 18 to Oct. 17, 2017, Ormond Beach city workers and contractors hauled away 126,806 cubic yards of vegetative debris from roads and public property for landfill disposal.