Gov. Ron DeSantis calls to permanently ban COVID-19 restrictions in Florida
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.
At 10 a.m.: DeSantis to hold news conference with Florida’s Surgeon General in The Villages
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.
wftv.comUF claims no standing to review faculty’s critique of Ladapo’s ‘cherry picking’ vaccine guidance
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.
‘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.comDeSantis to seek investigation into ‘any and all wrongdoing’ related to COVID-19 vaccines
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.
wftv.comDeSantis seeks grand jury investigation of COVID-19 vaccines
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.
news.yahoo.comFlorida bans medical care for transgender children
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Transgender children in Florida will be barred from receiving hormones or undergoing surgeries to treat gender dysphoria under a rule approved Friday by state medical officials at the urging of Republican Gov.
The Florida Board of Medicine and the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine voted at a joint meeting in Lake Buena Vista to finalize rules governing gender-affirming health care for minors.
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Florida to ban transgender health care treatments for 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. 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.
wftv.comFlorida medical boards block treatments for transgender minors
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.
Happening today: Gov. DeSantis to speak in Lakeland
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.
wftv.comGov. DeSantis announces new opioid recovery program during Brevard visit
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.
wftv.comHappening today: Gov. DeSantis to speak in Brevard County
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.
wftv.comWHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
(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.
wftv.comTransgender youth treatment under fire in Florida again
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.
wftv.comHappening this morning: Gov. DeSantis to speak in Orlando
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.
wftv.com8 months after News 6 requested surgeon general’s emails, Florida produces 8 pages
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.
Gov. DeSantis (R-FL) tells FL to “not worry” about Disney’s debt: “I have the biggest budget surplus we’ve ever had."
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.
news.yahoo.comHappening this morning: Gov. DeSantis to make announcement in Sanford
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.
wftv.comDeSantis signs bill allowing in-person visitors in Florida hospitals, nursing facilities
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.
Florida Surgeon General to recommend no COVID-19 vaccines for healthy kids
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.
wftv.comFlorida to recommend against COVID vaccines for healthy kids
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.
wftv.comFlorida to recommend against COVID vaccines for healthy kids
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.
news.yahoo.comFlorida surgeon general confirmed despite controversy
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.
wftv.comFlorida Surgeon General refuses to say whether he's been vaccinated against COVID-19 during tense confirmation hearing
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...
orlandoweekly.comEx-supervisor wouldn't endorse Ladapo as FL's top doctor
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.
wftv.comWATCH LIVE: Gov. DeSantis holds news conference
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’s top doctor blames inability to ‘communicate clearly’ for mask refusal
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.
‘We are going to contest that immediately:’ DeSantis plans to fight federal COVID vaccine mandate
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 resigns from Florida Children and Youth Cabinet following cancer diagnosis
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.