Brevard tourism grants go through with exception of Renaissance Fair, Cocoa Beach races
In the latest twist in how Brevard County spends tourism tax money, three long-running events that bring thousands of visitors to the Space Coast will no longer receive grants from the county, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
Judge rules against Florida pediatricians in transgender care records subpoena
A federal judge has rejected an initial request to block a Florida House effort to obtain internal communications about how the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics developed standards of care for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Florida House battles pediatricians over gender-dysphoria records subpoena
A statewide pediatricians association is pushing back in federal court against the Florida Houseโs efforts to obtain internal communications showing how the group adopted standards of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria
Rep. Fine pushes bill to curb hateful displays, claims son found antisemitic letter in driveway
Republican State Rep. Randy Fine, who represents parts of Brevard County, tweeted that his 11-year-old son found an antisemitic letter in their Melbourne Beach driveway last Friday which referred to Jewish people as the โeternal enemy.โ
Florida House seeks to block transgender treatments for children
A Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a sweeping measure that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors, including children already receiving treatment such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Florida bill seeks to punish venues that admit children to an โadult live performanceโ
Florida Rep. Randy Fine, R-District 33, filed a bill in the state House that seeks to empower the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to fine, suspend or revoke the license of a public venue if it admits a child to see an โadult live performance,โ defining that term and calling for certain violators to face criminal charges.
Brevard consultant failed to report political contributions, gambled with PAC funds, state reports say
A Brevard County political consultant is facing a long list of election law violations over electioneering and a defunct PAC he used during the 2020 election cycle, according to a report from News 6โฒs partner Florida Today.
No charges for Palm Bay Deputy Mayor Johnson after tense encounter with Randy Fine
Prosecutors have declined to file charges against Palm Bay Deputy Mayor Kenny Johnson after a tense encounter with State Rep. Randy Fine last month at the Dancing with the Space Coast charity event, the State Attorneyโs Office said Thursday, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
Future of Disneyโs Reedy Creek Improvement District remains uncertain
Less than 11 months before the Reedy Creek Improvement District is scheduled to be abolished, there are still no announced plans to replace any of the governmental services the special taxing district currently provides to the Walt Disney World resort property.
โTry to take our guns and youโll learn:โ Florida lawmaker stirs controversy with tweet aimed at Biden
Florida lawmaker Randy Fine drew criticism after tweeting a message aimed at President Joe Biden who called for the nation to act after a gunman shot and killed at least 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
What is a special district in Florida? Hereโs an explanation
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday the state legislature would be taking up a bill during their special session that would look to dissolve six special districts in the state, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District which governs Walt Disney World.
Florida Gov. DeSantis lines up with House on plan to penalize school districts for mask mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared to do an about-face on his initial opposition to a House plan that would shift $200 million away from school districts that required students to wear masks last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
โItโs disturbing:โ Anti-Semitic fliers distributed in Brevard County, police say
Residents in at least two beachside communities awoke Monday to find front yards and driveways littered with anti-Semitic fliers in what authorities say may have been a coordinated effort in several Florida locations.
Brevard school acknowledges putting mask on girl with Down syndrome, police find no crime committed
After the story of a 7-year-old girl with Down syndrome having a mask tied onto her face while at school in Brevard County gained national attention, an investigation by Indian Harbor Beach police found there was no evidence to suggest that the mask being tied to the girl constituted some form of child abuse.
Sophiaโs Law passes Florida House subcommittee vote, moving closer to becoming law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Legislation proposed after a 12-year-old Satellite Beach girl was killed as she used a crosswalk passed another vote Tuesday in Tallahassee, taking one step closer to becoming law. Sophia Nelson was crossing at State Road A1A and Ellwood Avenue on Dec. 22, 2019 when she was struck by a vehicle, according to a Satellite Beach police report. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, filed House Bill 1371, known as the Sophia Nelson Pedestrian Safety Act. Named after a Satellite Beach girl killed crossing A1A, โThe Sofia Nelson Pedestrian Safety Actโ passes a legislature meeting. @VoteRandyFine wants midblock crosswalks to have flashing lights changed from yellow to red or to remove the yellow lights.
DeSantis rolls out Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Barefoot Bay
AdThe Barefoot Bay site, located at Concordia Lutheran Church, is among the first to make use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the first shipment of which arrived in Florida late last week. Unlike Pfizer and Moderna, the Johnson & Johnson shot requires only a single dose to be considered fully effective. Now that weโre using J&J, itโs going to be really, really good,โ DeSantis said. โI can tell you, that ainโt happening in Florida,โ DeSantis said. AdHe has defended his strategy, which gave priority to state residents over 65, as key for reducing deaths among Floridaโs large elderly population.
Legislation aims to change LGBTQ+ guidelines in Brevard Public Schools
VIERA, Fla. โ Tuesday nightโs Brevard County school board meeting drew supporters and opposition who often clashed vocally in the discussion about the districtโs guidelines for gay and transgender students and staff. School board member Jennifer Jenkins said a group speaking out against the guidelines for LGBTQ+ displayed, โso much hate towards a group of children.โ[TRENDING: Will coronavirus ever go away? AdThe guidelines allow students to use bathrooms and play sports that correspond with their gender identity. โLGBTQ students were brave enough to come here and stand up for their rights,โ Jenkins said. AdJenkins reiterated what the district continues to say - the LGBTQ+ guidelines follow the latest laws now.
Brevard school board discusses LGBTQ+ guidelines for anti-discrimination policy
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ One protestor shouted โshame on youโ toward another person Tuesday night as they entered the Brevard County School Board meeting. A large group outside of district headquarters said they are opposed to the guidelines from Brevard Public Schools for LGBTQ+ students and staff. The district last week shared the guidelines which include dress codes, bathrooms and sports for its anti-discrimination policy first adopted in 2016. Fine called on those who oppose the guidelines to attend the board meeting. โI hope every parent who cares will let the local politicians know this will not work,โ Fine said.
Brevard School guidelines on trans bathrooms and sports face backlash
He said the school district would not force a child to share a locker room or bathroom with a trans student. Tina Descovich, a former school board member and founder of conservative group Moms for Liberty, also posted critically of the guidance on Facebook. She connected it to a 2016 school board meeting in which the board voted to add โgender identityโ to the districtโs nondiscrimination policy. Brevard School Board Chair Misty Belford, who voted in favor of the non-discrimination policy in 2016, said the vote had little to do with the practices outlined in the document. Belford said the BPS guidance would likely be a topic of discussion at Tuesdayโs school board meeting to clarify the policy.
Satellite Beach residents find anti-Semitic tracts about Antifa, BLM near synagogue
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Some Satellite Beach residents living near a synagogue reported finding anti-Semitic flyers tucked into plastic bags that were tossed onto the driveways of several homes, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. Similar right-wing propaganda tracts with anti-Semitic overtones have been distributed in Brevard County over the years. Satellite Beach police did not respond to several inquiries about the case. Florida State Rep. Randy Fine, who attends one of the four Jewish congregations in Brevard, talked with Satellite Beach police about the incident. Rabbi Zvi Konikov, who oversees the Chabad of the Space Coast centers in Satellite Beach and Viera, said the hate paraphernalia appears to be part of a campaign.
Brevard residents drive to Indian River County for COVID-19 vaccine
Doug Gray of Melbourne brought his 87-year-old dad to the health department drive-through site in Vero Beach rather than the Brevard County site in Viera. News 6 also met people Tuesday from Palm Beach County, an hour and a half away. And also like the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, Indian River County advised people to sign up for its text-alerts to know immediately when new appointments open up. โI canโt say enough about Indian River County and the whole nine yards. In Indian River, the county Tuesday afternoon said it does not know when its next shipment is coming.
Health First receives nearly 2,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Brevard seniors, health care workers
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard County is gearing up to begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations to people ages 65 and older, as well as health care workers who provide direct patient care. We are appreciative of @GovRonDeSantis and @FLSERT Director Jared Moskowitz, for their efforts to provide us with nearly 2,000 Pfizer vaccines. โ Health First (@Health_First) January 8, 2021โHealth First is honored to be able to continue to protect our community from COVID-19,โ Health First Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Jeffrey Stalnaker said. Healthcare workers who sign up to receive a vaccine must bring a photo ID or healthcare badge for proof of identity. They should also include COVID-19 vaccine as the reason for their visit and fill in all of the required fields.
Volunteers wanted to administer COVID-19 vaccine in Brevard County
VIERA, Fla. โ On the first full day of public drive-thru vaccinations at the Brevard County health department, a state lawmaker said he thinks thereโs just not enough vaccines and theyโre not being distributed fast enough. [TRENDING: Seniors sleep in cars waiting for vaccine | How to get vaccine in Fla. | โAmen and awoman:โ Backlash over prayer]The response was encouraging. Fine said those volunteers will be forwarded to the state and the state will determine their qualifications. For now, the drive-thru at the Viera health department is being worked by a couple dozen nurses, other Department of Health employees and the Florida National Guard. Brevard County said all 3,500 appointments for seniors and health care workers who do not belong to a hospital group are booked for the next month.
Florida lawmakers consider future of state unemployment system Connect in 2021
Floridaโs Department of Economic Opportunity website Connect may be weeks away from being tossed and replaced if Florida lawmakers like State Sen. Linda Stewart, (D) of Orlando, and State Rep. David Smith, (R) of Seminole County, have their way. The two are part of a growing number of legislators who want the aging system replaced by new technology that would be capable of handling the anticipated demand for state unemployment benefits. Several lawmakers including State Rep Anthony Sabatini, (R) of Lake County, and State Rep Randy Fine, (R) of Brevard County, said they want to see what is most cost effective first. DEO director Eagle said he hired ISF INC., an IT and strategy firm, to investigate the Connect system. He also plans to ask the legislature for an additional 108 employees to train on the Connect system.
After recovering from COVID-19, Rep. Randy Fine donates plasma to help other coronavirus patients
PALM BAY, Fla. President Donald Trump has called convalescent plasma a breakthrough in fighting the novel coronavirus and a Florida state representative agreed that donating plasma could help effectively treat patients. Rep. Randy Fine, himself, was recently one of the donors hoping to make a difference in another patients battle with COVID-19. Three weeks after Fine said doctors told him he was at risk of dying, the survivor believes he might be saving lives next. It can only be donated so I hope everyone who has had COVID will take the opportunity to do what we're doing today and donate plasma," Fine said. Those who meet the criteria and want to donate plasma can make an appointment with OneBlood.
Brevard County bar owners, business regulators discuss reopening strategies
INDIALANTIC, Fla. The George & Dragon English Taverns owners were inside a special meeting Friday with state business regulators as bar owners worked with officials to come up with a plan to reopen. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation hosted Central Florida bar owners at Lous Blues on A1A in Indialantic. Hopefully, well come together with some guidelines so we can open the bars soon, the taverns co-owner Simon Wells said. Taking a break from the meeting Friday afternoon, Wells said he felt confident the state is seriously considering reopening bars. In response, the bar owners sued DeSantis and DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears.
State Rep. Randy Fine released from hospital following weekslong battle with COVID-19
PALM BAY, Fla. After spending several days in the hospital and weeks battling the novel coronavirus, Rep. Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay) is back home. [PREVIOUS: State Rep. Randy Fine set to leave hospital after COVID-19 diagnosis]I would start by saying that I am extraordinarily grateful to the miracle workers at Health First and Holmes Regional Medical Center who probably saved my life, Fine said. Live with COVID, Day 18+ Posted by State Representative Randy Fine on Friday, August 7, 2020After five nights at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Fine was released Friday morning, 18 days after he first tested positive for COVID-19. Fine said his wife tested positive the day before him, one week after they were both exposed to someone who had the virus. Fine said now that he is a COVID-19 survivor, he intends to donate convalescent plasma, something Florida Gov.
State Rep. Randy Fine set to leave hospital after COVID-19 diagnosis
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Rep. Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay) sounds like himself again two weeks after he says he first tested positive for COVID-19. After days of fever and coughing, Fine went to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne for an X-ray and a blood test. That's certainly scary," Fine said. The south Brevard County representative expects to take another round of medicine at the hospital Friday, and then he'll be going home to his family. On his Facebook livestreams, Fine is getting a lot of questions about hydroxychloroquine.
Rep. Randy Fine admitted to hospital for coronavirus
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. State Representative Randy Fine (RPalm Bay) was hospitalized on Sunday for COVID-19. Doctor said I have some pretty serious damage in my lungs and is ordering me admitted to the hospital, Fine wrote on his Facebook page shortly after 5:30 p.m. Nothing about my present condition requires supplemental oxygen, let alone a ventilator," Fine wrote in his post. Fine is the first Republican state legislator believed to have contracted the coronavirus. But then again, I wouldnt have thought Id be getting admitted to the hospital after 12 days of this, he wrote.
Rep. Randy Fine tests positive for COVID-19
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. State Representative Randy Fine (RPalm Bay) on Wednesday became the first known elected official in Brevard to test positive for the novel coronavirus. Wendy tested positive on Monday, while Rep. Fine and his two sons confirmed the infection on Wednesday, following the Tuesday nasal swab. "I didn't know anybody in Brevard County who actually had it until last week," he said. Fine is not the first state lawmaker to test positive. But Fine is the first known GOP lawmaker with COVID-19 in the state House.
74 new electric car charging stations coming to Florida highways
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Using money from a settlement, Florida is adding 74 new electric car charging stations along the stateโs major highways. From that, $8.5 million will be used to create the 74 charging stations along Interstate 75 and Intestate 95, spanning about 1,200 miles. We are now ready to award over $8.5 million in contracts to build 74 additional fast electric charging stations belongs to Florida has major highways and evacuation routes,โ DeSantis said. There are plans in the future to add additional charging stations using that same settlement money. Valenstein called the move โanother step forward for the environment here in Florida.โWith the charging stations already slated to be built along the Turnpike by the Florida Department of Transportation, there will soon be about 100 charging stations statewide.
Satellite Beach organizer supports A1A crosswalks legislation following girlโs death
SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. โ As far back as December 2018, people in Satellite Beach said they feared something tragic could happen at several new crosswalks on State Road A1A. [RELATED: Brevard officials criticize A1A flashing-yellow crosswalks after 12-year-oldโs death | 12-year-old girl struck, killed on A1A crosswalk in Satellite Beach]"They put them across a highway and they didn't use the proper signaling," supporter Dan Willemin said. After Nelson was killed by the Dec. 22, 2019 crash, Willemin was an organizer of a rally in opposition to how the crosswalks look now. Willemin also raised his voice to the Brevard County Commission and Satellite Beach City Council. Two months later, the question remains if the unidentified driver who Nelson's parents said hit her will face penalties.
Sophiaโs Law moves forward after Florida House State Affairs Committee approval
Fine has dubbed House Bill 1371 as the Sophia Nelson Pedestrian Safety Act. Sophiaโs parents discussing the crosswalk safety bill that passed the House State Affairs Committee this morning. He said they were walking home from the beach and Sophia pressed the button to activate the yellow flashing lights at the crosswalk. The cost to add a traffic signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon at a midblock crosswalk is approximately $300,000. The cost to remove a midblock crosswalk is approximately $7,000.