JOSEPH LADAPO

Gov. Ron DeSantis would permanently ban mask and vaccine requirements and provide protection of “medical freedom of speech.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced a package of proposals Tuesday to make permanent bans on COVID-19-related restrictions in Florida, from mask requirements to medical professionals’ ability to disagree with those COVID-19 restrictions.

Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference Thursday in The Villages. The governor plans to speak around 10 a.m. from the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center on Buena Vista Boulevard. Read: Happening Today: FEMA assistance deadline for Floridians impacted by Hurricane IanDeSantis will be speaking with Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. These 113 people are missing from Central FloridaIt’s unclear what the news conference will be about. of Transportation investigating cause of FAA system outageChannel 9 will have a crew at the event and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

A group of University of Florida medical-school faculty members challenged controversial guidance by state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on COVID-19 vaccinations, but a university official said Wednesday the guidance is outside the scope of Ladapo’s work with the school.

Florida surgeon general used ‘flawed’ science in his vaccine guidelines, per report

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday approved a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate alleged wrongdoing related to...

The court approved a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate alleged wrongdoing.

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.

Ron DeSantis said he wants an investigation into “any and all wrongdoing” related to COVID-19 vaccines. DeSantis made the announcement during a roundtable Tuesday with State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and a panel of scientists and physicians. Photos: DeSantis to seek investigation into ‘any and all wrongdoing’ related to COVID-19 vaccinesExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 DeSantis to seek investigation into ‘any and all wrongdoing’ related to COVID-19 vaccines“That will come with legal processes that will be able to get more information and to bring legal accountability for those who committed misconduct,” DeSantis said. Read: 9 things to know about Omicron subvariants BQ.1, BQ.1.1The governor plans to petition the state Supreme Court to convene a grand jury. He did not give specifics on what wrongdoing the panel would investigate.

The governor also said he is requesting a statewide grand jury investigation into alleged “crimes and wrongdoing” related to the covid-19 vaccine.

Florida's governor announces a plan to investigate "any and all wrongdoing in Florida with respect to covid-19 vaccines" — implying there was some.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he plans to petition the state's Supreme Court to convene a grand jury to investigate “any and all wrongdoing” with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines. The Republican governor, who is often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2024, gave no specifics on what wrongdoing the panel would investigate, but suggested it would be in part aimed to jogging loose more information about the vaccines and potential harmful side effects.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate any wrongdoing involving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that controversial state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo will remain in the post as DeSantis enters his second term.

The rule bars the use of puberty-blockers and hormone therapy on Florida minors

Many doctors, mental health specialists and medical groups have argued that treatments for transgender youth are safe and beneficial, though rigorous long-term research is lacking.

Many doctors, mental health specialists and medical groups have argued that treatments for transgender youth are safe and beneficial, though rigorous long-term research is lacking. Federal health officials have described the gender-affirming care as crucial to the health and well-being of transgender children and adolescents. Florida health officials banned state Medicaid insurance coverage for gender dysphoria treatments this year and issued a report that said the treatments have not been proven safe or effective. Florida has also clashed with federal health officials who advocate for providing the treatments for young people. Stitt also called for the Legislature to ban some of those gender reassignment treatments statewide when it returns in February.

Doctors will no longer be allowed to provide treatments such as puberty-blocking medications, hormone therapy and surgery to transgender people younger than 18, under rules approved Friday by the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

With concerns rising about a possible winter surge of cases, a panel of experts has unanimously voted to add the COVID-19 shot to the list of recommended vaccines for children.

What does it mean when a state official wants to engage with the surreal media fringe?

Tuesday on Twitter, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo stated that regardless of what the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) decides, “nothing changes in FL.”

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo continues to defend his agency’s new guidance against Covid-19 vaccines among adult men.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recommends that males under 40 years old should not get the COVID vaccine due to cardiac-related deaths on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'

POLK COUNTY Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be making a stop in Polk County Wednesday morning. READ: Trial to begin Wednesday for Seminole County ‘ghost candidate’ caseThe event will be held at LifeScience Logistics Distribution Center in Lakeland. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference when it begins. READ: Florida man pleads guilty to $2.6M COVID-19 relief fraudClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference in Lakeland.

The Florida Board of Medicine advanced a plan that would ban doctors from providing treatments to transgender minors

The Florida Board of Medicine on Friday advanced a plan that would ban doctors from providing treatments to transgender people under age 18.

The Florida Board of Medicine voted Friday to adopt state guidelines that would ban and restrict gender dysphoria treatments for children and adolescents.

The Florida Board of Medicine is set to discuss state guidance against gender-affirming treatments for children at its upcoming meeting.

DeSantis announces new opioid recovery program during Brevard visit Gov. DeSantis announces a new opioid recovery program during his Brevard visit called CORE. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday a new opioid recovery program called Coordinated Opioid Recovery. The governor addressed the addiction crisis during his visit to Brevard County. Read: One hurt in shooting near Orlando’s Holden Heights neighborhoodIn a news release, DeSantis said the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office saw a 72% increase in drug overdose fatalities related to fentanyl.

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be making a stop in Brevard County Wednesday morning. Read: Lake County Supervisor of Elections calls out groups he says lied to votersJoining the governor will be Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. Read: How the Parental Rights in Education Act will impact Central Florida school districts this yearThe event will be held at Space Coast Health Foundation in Rockledge. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

State Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, is set to hold a news conference Thursday discussing the reopening of a children’s vaccination site in Maitland after it was postponed due to a lack of shots.

Hours after State Sen. Randolph Bracy announced a plan to host a COVID-19 vaccination event for children, he said they are postponing it.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee)GENEVA — (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization. The biggest weekly rise in new COVID-19 cases was seen in the Middle East, where they increased by 47%, according to the report released late Wednesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said cases were on the rise in 110 countries, mostly driven by the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Tedros said that while more than 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally, the average immunization rate in poor countries is about 13%. Earlier this month, the United States authorized COVID-19 vaccines for infants and preschoolers, rolling out a national immunization plan targeting 18 million of the youngest children.

The World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million new cases reported globally.

The company’s customer service department did not explaining the reasoning for the decision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday held a news conference at Broward Health Sports Medicine in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida’s health care agency will hold one public hearing on a proposed rule that would stop Medicaid payments to gender-affirming treatments for children and adolescents.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Biden administration is lying about his state ordering COVID vaccines for young children, and the media played along

The FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children aged six-months to five-years on Friday. Florida was the only state to not pre-order any shots of the...

Florida is the only state that hasn't pre-ordered COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, and they could start to go out as soon as next week.

Biden issues executive order cracking down on 'discredited and dangerous' conversion therapy

As the federal Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to...

After the state threatened to impose a $27.5 million fine, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that the Special Olympics USA Games will not have a...

Transgender Treatment Florida FILE - Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, front left, gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, front right, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. Florida health officials have asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth. Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is increasingly under attack in many states where it has been labeled a form of child abuse or subject to various bans. Many doctors and mental health specialists argue that medical treatment for transgender children is safe and beneficial and can improve their well-being, although rigorous long-term research on benefits and risks is lacking. The actions have drawn condemnation from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, an international group of doctors and others involved in treating transgender people.

Florida health officials have asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be making a stop in Central Florida Friday morning. READ: ‘An oozing coming out of a tomb’: Disturbing leak at mausoleum angers familyThe event will be held at Rio Pinar Golf & Country Club. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference when it begins. Click here to watch it live.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the drop of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for athletes competing in the Special Olympics in Orlando.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo wrote members of the Department of Health’s board about gender dysphoria treatments for children and adolescents Thursday.

Arguing that a 15-week limit on abortions signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is unconstitutional, abortion clinics from across the state launched a legal challenge Wednesday...

Nearly eight months after News 6 submitted a public records request seeking emails and other communications created by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo during his first two weeks on the job, the Florida Department of Health released eight pages of un-redacted documents.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced $125 million in funding for nursing and claimed the Florida government is going to take care of Disney’s debt while speaking at Seminole State College, Sanford, Florida today. According to reports, the Walt Disney Company’s self-government status will be repealed and the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be dissolved in 2023, leaving the local taxpayers with more than $1 billion in bond debt.

SANFORD, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Central Florida to make an announcement. The governor will be joined by Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, and Wilton Simpson, president of the Florida Senate. READ: Florida gas prices remain at record highsDeSantis’ office did not provide details about the announcement. READ: Lunar eclipse 2022: 10 stunning photos of May’s ‘super flower blood moon’Check back and watch Eyewitness News for the latest developments.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Sanford.

The Florida Department of Health is withholding records of Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s communications during his first two weeks as Florida's surgeon general.

The memo directly contradicts guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on gender transition, as well as best practices as outlined by the country’s largest medical organizations.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a “No Patient Left Alone” bill into law Wednesday, establishing in-person hospital and nursing home visitation rights throughout the state regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Questioning the motives behind Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's recommendation against vaccinating children.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event that featured doctors who criticized COVID lockdowns and mandate policies.

Last month, the state health department discouraged mask-wearing and pushed physicians to exercise their own judgement when treating virus patients.

Last month, the state health department discouraged mask-wearing and pushed physicians to exercise their own judgement when treating virus patients.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion. Read: Over 1,000 homes evacuated as wildfires rage in Florida PanhandleThe Florida state Senate confirmed Ladapo as surgeon general despite criticism that his virus health policy is too aligned with the anti-lockdown and mandate politics of DeSantis. Read: Police search for man who brutally stabbed Daytona Beach couple to deathThe Associated Press contributed to this article.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo says the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion. Late last month, Ladapo and DeSantis announced new virus policy recommendations that discouraged mask-wearing and directed physicians to exercise their own judgment when treating virus patients, including the use of emerging treatments and off-label medications. The Florida state Senate confirmed Ladapo as surgeon general despite criticism that his virus health policy is too aligned with the anti-lockdown and mandate politics of DeSantis.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. Ladapo made the announcement at a roundtable event organized by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that featured a group of doctors who criticized coronavirus lockdowns and mandate policies. “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Ladapo said at the end of the roundtable discussion.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rebuked reports that he admonished a group of mask-wearing students who stood behind him at a news conference in Tampa.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Thursday morning at Florida State University Panama City.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have announced new coronavirus policy recommendations that discourage mask wearing and push physicians to use off-label medications to treat the virus.

Florida-Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo speaks with reporters after the Florida Senate confirmed his appointment as the state's surgeon general on Feb. 23, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Brendan Farrington) (Brendan Farrington)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was confirmed to his position Wednesday, as Senate Republicans approved the nomination of the state's top doctor over criticism that his opposition to coronavirus mandates is too aligned to the politics of Gov. “People have opinions, I know that things have been pretty politically charged, but I want to assure everyone that I’m really passionate about health, good health,” Ladapo told reporters after his confirmation. In one of the hearings, Democrats stormed out of a committee room after saying they weren't getting answers from the surgeon general. The surgeon general, in addition to his coronavirus policies, drew national attention for refusing to wear a mask in the office of state Sen. Tina Polsky, a Democrat who told him she had a serious medical issue. “I guess politics is a component of my role, but I’m not here for the politics, I’m here for health,” Ladapo said Wednesday.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has been officially confirmed to his position.

A 24-15 party-line vote displayed the fissure between the parties on DeSantis’ approach to the pandemic, which downplays vaccines.

Ladapo was confirmed on a party-line vote of 24 to 15, with Democrats saying Ladapo was dangerously unqualified, while Republicans said he was a man who “looked at the facts,” as one senator put it.

Republicans will allow women and girls to have control over their own bodies up to a point. After that, you’re nothing but a “host body.”

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo declined to disclose whether he has received a coronavirus vaccine during a contentious confirmation hearing where Democrats pressed the state’s top doctor to promote the shots.

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo drew more heat Tuesday from Democrats over his views on COVID-19, while landing support from Republicans as his confirmation heads...

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is scheduled Tuesday to go before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee for a confirmation hearing, after facing heavy criticism...

A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state’s health department during a background check, records show.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state's health department during a background check, records show. The supervisor also noted Ladapo's outspoken resistance to various coronavirus mandates, saying Ladapo had “created stress and acrimony” at UCLA. A spokesman for the Florida Department of Health said the unnamed UCLA supervisor’s comments were meant to “smear” Ladapo during his confirmation process. This is not cause for concern,” said health department spokesman Jeremy T. Redfern. He was hired by the University of Florida College of Medicine as he took the job of Florida surgeon general.

A Senate committee signs off on the confirmation of controversial state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed the recent decision made to cancel state-run monoclonal sites at a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Miami.

With the continuation of long lines for COVID-19 testing, one local leader is calling on the state to help Osceola County residents.

The Florida Department of Health issued new COVID-19 testing guidelines Thursday in an effort to alleviate sites seeing high demand as the omicron variant continues to fuel new cases.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the state will send “up to a million” at-home COVID-19 tests to nursing homes and long-term care facilities this week.

Saying that the “federal government is not going to come through” on a plan to distribute at-home coronavirus tests, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said the state is honing its own strategy to send tests to vulnerable Floridians.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday held a news conference in Jacksonville, which was delayed by a group of citizens and activists who wanted to question the governor about his pandemic policies, to put more political pressure on the Biden Administration to release more monoclonal antibody treatment doses to Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills Thursday at a car dealership in Brandon, Florida, aimed at pushing back against federal COVID-19 mandates.

Florida Republicans have approved a sweeping bill to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses.

Florida Republicans have approved a sweeping bill to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses.

Florida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, is now responding days after he was asked to leave a meeting with Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky — who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer — because he refused to wear a mask.

Florida's top health official was asked to leave a meeting after refusing to wear a mask at the office of a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Titusville Wednesday morning.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is gearing up for another legal fight with the federal government as President Joe Biden plans to release an executive order that will mandate companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccinations for workers or submit them to weekly COVID-19 testing.

First Lady Casey DeSantis has stepped down as chairwoman of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, four days after it was announced she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the governor’s office said Friday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced Florida parents will now have the choice if they should send their child to school if they were exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Florida’s new surgeon general has signed new protocols allowing parents to decide whether their children should quarantine or stay in school if they are asymptomatic after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.