TALLAHASSEE

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) held a press conference Wednesday where he announced plans to significantly expand his Ocoee Scholarship Program. READ: A year-and-a-half later, impact of state’s broken unemployment system lingersBracy announced plans Wednesday to pass legislation that would expand the program to include up to 500 students. 12.01.2021 Press Conference: Today I announced specific efforts on how I plan to expand the historic Ocoee Scholarship Program. In remembrance of all that was lost during the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre, I look forward to continuing to advocate for this priority. Posted by Senator Randolph Bracy on Wednesday, December 1, 2021He said it would make it the largest program in the country that pays some form of compensation to African-Americans.

Miya Marcano’s family announces funeral arrangements and memorial foundation in her honorTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers will host a news conference on Wednesday to discuss Miya’s Law, a bill filed in honor of slain Orange County woman Miya Marcano. Bill sponsors Sen. Linda Stewart and Rep. Robin Bartleman will be joined by other lawmakers and Marcano’s family for the news conference at 11 a.m.Investigators say Marcano, 19, was abducted from her UCF-area apartment by one of the complex’s maintenance workers and murdered. The bill is aimed at increasing protections for Florida tenants. READ: Miya’s Law: Florida lawmakers propose legislation to impose stricter rules on apartment managersThe law would require landlords to conduct national background screenings, including a criminal history record and sexual offender registries, on all employees, and gives landlords the ability to disqualify applicants who have a history of violent criminal offenses. READ: Miya’s Law: Family fights for legislation for tougher restrictions on apartment complex employeesStay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates from the news conference.

SportsPulse: Dan Wolken breaks down the latest College Football Playoff rankings and the path for the six true contenders to make the final four.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This giving season, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wants to make sure generous Floridians don’t get scammed while trying to donate to charities. On Giving Tuesday, Moody released a new consumer protection resource for donors called “Scams at a Glance: Charity Scams.” Click here to read the guide in English and here to read it in Spanish. “Before giving, do your research to make sure the organization seeking donations isn’t a sham charity set up to steal your money or your personal information,” Moody said in a statement. Below are several tips included in the guide:READ: How to avoid Cyber Monday shopping scams• Before donating, ensure the charity is an accredited organization with the Better Business Bureau by searching the BBB Wise Giving Alliance website at Give.org. If you are interested in donating, ask that the charity mail information and a pledge form.

Florida lawmakers Tuesday started moving forward with an effort to direct money in the fight against toxic algae toward long-term solutions and freshwater bodies.

Heading into Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping rush, Florida had its lowest four-week run of new unemployment claims since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Jeff Brandes is looking to make a change to Florida's minimum wage laws that would allow employers to offer a "training wage" which would be below the state's current minimum wage.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida on Tuesday moved to appeal a federal judge’s decision to block its deal with the state to expand gambling and online sports betting throughout Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Agriculture and consumer services commissioner Nikki Fried is calling for an investigation into the high gas prices in the state. In her letter, Fried asks Attorney General Ashley Moody to investigate the high gas prices under the Florida Antitrust Act. Expect to pay more to fill up your gas tankRead her full letter in the tweet below:Oil companies are reaping record profits while consumers are paying high gas prices, even as fuel costs decrease. pic.twitter.com/1TZgvcfYvg — Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) November 17, 2021Fried said since September her Division of Consumer Services has received 80 consumer complaints about high gas prices as company profits soar. “I hope our Attorney General will take action to help us protect Florida consumers at the gas pump,” Fried tweeted.

(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Republicans approved a sweeping bill Wednesday to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates in businesses, rejecting claims that they were sacrificing public health to hand Gov. "That’s the entire purpose of this bill, trusting Floridians and allowing us to make that choice for ourselves.”DeSantis, a Republican, called the special legislative session on vaccine mandates as he wages a legal and media campaign against vaccine mandates pushed by Democratic President Joe Biden. The state health department, which is led by Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who opposes mandates, will be tasked with defining standards for the exemptions. Additionally, it bars schools and governments in the state from having vaccine mandates and allows parents to sue schools with masking requirements. Separately, lawmakers passed a bill to stop the state health officer from being able to mandate vaccines during public health emergency.

Rebuking the Biden administration, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday passed a measure that seeks to prevent workers from being required to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Florida House on Wednesday approved a proposal that could lead to the state taking over regulation of worker safety and health issues.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida businesses could soon face fines of $10,000 to $50,000 if they require employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine. On Wednesday, the Florida House voted to approve a bill pushed by Gov. READ: Debate over COVID-19 vaccine mandates to take center stage at Florida’s special sessionThe Senate is now meeting on those bills. Republicans argued the bill would push back on vaccine mandates issued by President Joe Biden’s administration and prevent firings of employees who refuse to get a vaccine. The House also passed a bill to strip the Florida surgeon general of the power to order vaccines during a public health emergency.

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

Florida residents hit with an overpayment notice for Reemployment Assistance benefits between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 4, 2021, through no fault of their own, will not be going to collections.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tuesday marked day two of the special session in Tallahassee. The house met in the morning to go over the proposed COVID-19 bills. READ: Triple homicide investigation underway; person of interest identifiedDuring a large rally, speakers from all over the state, including Central Florida, took the stage. Meanwhile, Democrats inside were disappointed they could not get their amendments to these bills through the house. READ: Pfizer asks FDA for emergency authorization of COVID-19 pillThe bills still continue to divide not only the politicians, but also the people they serve.

After rejecting a series of Democratic amendments, the Florida House on Tuesday prepared to pass a bill that could be a first step toward the...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Firefighters from Orange and Osceola counties on Monday defended their position against the federal COVID-19 mandate to state lawmakers. Right now, four bills surrounding COVID-19 are in play. The biggest of the issues is about vaccine mandates imposed by the federal government. Sen. Danny Burgess introduced his bill to reject COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Ron DeSantis called the special session after Orange County Battalion Chief Stephen Davis was fired for not writing up firefighters who did not comply with a local vaccine mandate in Orange County.

Florida lawmakers begin debating a package of bills to combat coronavirus vaccine mandates, continuing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' fight against virus rules.

Debate over COVID-19 vaccine mandates to take center stage at Florida’s special sessionTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Monday is the start of a special session at the Florida State Capitol. The biggest agenda item would require businesses to provide exemptions for any employee vaccine mandate. This session was called after an Orange County Fire Rescue battalion chief was fired for refusing to discipline firefighters violating a county vaccine mandate. Lawmakers will have just a few days to hammer out a deal on vaccine and mask mandates. Channel 9 will have continuing coverage of the special session on Eyewitness News.

When Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature kicks off its special session Monday, lawmakers will consider several bills aimed at banning vaccine mandates and empowering parents to challenge vaccine and mask mandates in schools.

Biden administration attorneys late Friday urged a federal appeals court to reject a request by Florida, Georgia and Alabama to put on hold a rule that would require tens of millions of workers nationwide to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be regularly tested and wear masks.

The controversial topic of vaccine mandates will be front and center in Tallahassee this week.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has fired back against allegations that a deal giving the Seminole Tribe control of sports betting in Florida violates federal law, pointing to a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature to allow the tribe to accept bets from throughout the state.

The state’s election system, much maligned following the 2000 recount, performed so well that state leaders including Gov. In the months that followed, Florida passed sweeping changes to its election laws, reducing the amount of time vote-by-mail requests are valid and imposing new stricter standards for drop boxes. Now, DeSantis wants to go even further, proposing a $6 million new law enforcement agency to investigate election fraud. DeSantis proposes new election reforms for Florida“I would be curious to know how is this $6 million going to be justified? “I’m not aware of there being enough election fraud or any other type of thing going on, I haven’t heard it from any of the other supervisors, but perhaps the governor has heard.

At trial, the government presented evidence that Burnette engaged in a multi-year scheme with Maddox and his associate, Paige Carter-Smith, to commit extortion, fraud, and bribery. During the scheme, Burnette and Maddox extorted bribe payments from FBI undercover agents (UCs) who were posing as real estate developers and entrepreneurs. Burnette instructed the UCs that to obtain preferential treatment, they must pay bribes to Maddox through Governance Services. In 2017, FBI agents approached Burnette, identified themselves as FBI agents, and asked Burnette about his involvement in the bribe payments to Maddox. During the interview, Burnette repeatedly lied about his knowledge of the UCs’ payments to and involvement with Maddox.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has filed paperwork to formally launch his 2022 reelection campaign. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<According to the Division of Elections, DeSantis took the key initial step of filing a statement of candidacy Friday. — Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) November 8, 2021As of Monday, DeSantis was the sixteenth person to enter the race. READ: US reopens to international travel, allows happy reunionsTo date, two candidates have filed with no party affiliation. The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is July 25, and October 11 for the General Election.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will seek re-election next fall.

Devin Leary threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns as North Carolina State jumped ahead of Florida State early and held off the Seminoles for a 28-14 win on Saturday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida’s ban on coronavirus mask mandates in the state’s schools will stay in effect after a judge on Friday dismissed a challenge to the rule from several school districts. Administrative Judge Brian A. Newman rejected the case from school officials in Miami-Dade, Leon, Duval, Orange, Broward, and Alachua counties, finding that the administration of Gov. DeSantis, a Republican, has been a leading voice in resistance to coronavirus mask and vaccine mandates, elevating his star in the GOP as he eyes a 2024 presidential run. Last month, the state began deducting an amount equal to a month’s pay from school board members in counties that defied the mask mandate ban. The U.S. Department of Education has filed its own request with an administrative judge at the federal level to block Florida from withholding funding from Alachua and Broward.

In Tallahassee right now, Florida lawmakers are beginning the once-in-a-decade process of redistricting and the state’s booming population can change the political game in Central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis formally announced Thursday Florida will present a legal challenge to the Biden Administration's latest executive order mandating companies with more than 100 employees require vaccinations for their workers.

Ron DeSantis announced the filing of a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s employer vaccine mandate. At the heart of the lawsuit is Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements that call for companies with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or be tested weekly. Federal officials also left open the possibility of expanding the mandate to smaller employers. DeSantis was swift in his condemnation of the requirement, calling it a stark example of government overreach. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said the president does not have the power to force health policy through a workplace safety department.

A state-backed program designed to help struggling elementary-school readers by delivering free books to their homes is set to start shipping books next month, and eligible families are being encouraged to sign up.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ashley Harrell stood by as her husband Cyrus Buker wrestled with the superstars of NXT. Harrell and Buker are Special Olympics athletes from Tallahassee who got married on Oct. 30. To celebrate, Special Olympics sent them o Orlando on a tour of the WWE Performance Center with NXT superstars Johnny Gargano and Raquel Gonzalez. READ: Former Major Leaguer, Orlando native Jemile Weeks hosting Celebrity Kickball Tournament for charityBut it wasn’t just a tour. See the video below:WWE is a longtime partner of the Special Olympics.

Ron DeSantis on Friday announced a special session to provide protections for Floridians who have lost their jobs or had their employment threatened due to vaccine mandates. “Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” DeSantis said in a news release. “We have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to three jabs to keep your job. In Florida, we believe that the decision whether or not to get a COVID shot is a choice based on individual circumstances, so we are litigating against the Biden administration and will be passing legislation in this Special Session to protect Florida jobs and protect parents’ rights when it comes to masking and quarantines. READ: FDA gives OK for low-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11See the full story in the video above.

The U.S. Department of Education has asked an administrative judge to block the state of Florida from slashing federal aid money to two school districts.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The legislative delegation met Wednesday in Osceola County, allowing elected officials and the public to talk about what they would like to see happen in Tallahassee. Sheriff Marcos Lopez talked about staffing and retirement benefits for deputies, but Sen. Victor Torres wanted to know about vaccines and if the sheriff would be mandating them. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated.”READ: Orange County mayor to allow COVID-19 state of local emergency to expireGov. Ron DeSantis is calling for a special session to try and prevent mandates and loss of employment for those who don’t comply. READ: “Thank God this deputy is alive”: Deputy sustains ‘significant injuries’ in motorcycle crashClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The state of Florida has docked a school district more than $164,000 for defying a ban on classroom mask mandates and for being awarded a federal coronavirus grant.

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.

A political expert has weighed in on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Thursday announcement, where he called for legislative action to provide protections for employees when it comes to Vaccine Mandates.

An administrative law judge heard opening arguments and attorneys began calling witnesses Thursday in a challenge to a state Department of Health rule aimed at preventing student mask requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An administrative law judge Wednesday rejected a request by the Florida Department of Health to dismiss a challenge by six school boards to a rule that seeks to prevent student mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake County man claimed a $1 million prize from the new “GOLD RUSH LIMITED” scratch-off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Brian Nelson, 26, of Leesburg, made the trip to Tallahassee to claim his prize with his fiancée of one month, Emily Pelton. See a map of the location below:READ: Man wins lottery twice in 2 weeksThe Quik Mart will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket. READ: $1 million winning Powerball ticket sold in FloridaThe Lottery’s newest $20 scratch-off game, GOLD RUSH LIMITED, features 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million. Additionally, the ticket is filled with over 33,000 prizes of $1,000 to $100,000, lottery officials said.

Manatees are starving to death because algae blooms and contaminants are killing the seagrass the beloved sea mammals eat.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Friday announced the launch of a website aimed at recruiting new law enforcement officers to Florida. The website offers an interactive map of the state for potential hires to navigate to find open positions. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<Moody said the goal of the “Be A Florida Hero” initiative is to encourage job seekers from across the country to pursue law enforcement careers in the Sunshine State. Click here to visit the website and for more information. READ: Proposed police bonus seen as boon to Florida agenciesClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The Mockingbird has been the state bird of Florida since 1927 and now 94 years later, three bills have been filed to change Florida's state bird.

Pointing to a “sea of red ink,” the head of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. described a private insurance industry Wednesday that is losing gobs of money while homeowners face soaring rates and trouble finding coverage.

Florida has issued its first fine to a county it says violated a new state law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates and for firing 14 workers who failed to get the shots. The Florida Department of Health on Tuesday issued the $3.5 million fine for Leon County, home to the state capital, saying the municipality violated Florida's “vaccine passport" law, which prohibits businesses and governments from requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. “These are people that, presumably, have been serving throughout this whole time and now all of a sudden they’re basically getting kicked to the curb,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference in St. Pete Beach.

Florida’s tourism-marketing agency is getting Senate support to keep its doors open into the next decade.

The Florida activist who led a movement to allow most former felons to vote now has had more civil rights restored under a new state process.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Two Central Florida school superintendents defended their school districts’ decisions to require face masks for students and staff to the Florida State Board of Education on Thursday only to be found in noncompliance with state policy. “We believed requiring face masks in our schools was the best way to protect students and staff,” Orange County Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said. Jenkins said the action was legal, necessary and reasonable to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep students and staff safe. Orange County Public Schools released the following statement after the hearing:“The School Board and Superintendent are always concerned about the health, safety and welfare of our students and staff. We are disappointed in the determination by Commissioner Corcoran and the State Board of Education, but not surprised.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla, — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried plans to release COVID-19 data for schools that she says has been hidden by Governor Ron DeSantis. Fried announced a virtual press conference to be held early Thursday morning where she plans to discuss COVID-19 data for Florida school districts. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<READ: Are mask mandates in schools legal? What’s next in Florida’s court battleAccording to Fried’s office, the press conference was scheduled specifically to precede a state Board of Education meeting Thursday afternoon where board members will consider punishments for 11 school districts- including Orange and Brevard Counties- where mask requirements have been enacted. A Florida Department of Health emergency rule requires schools to offer an option for parents to opt their children out of the mandates.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signaled Tuesday that Florida will fight a federal effort to address a spike in threats against educators.

Florida is the last state to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Education that’s required before more than $2.3 billion in federal aid for Florida schools can be released.

The marches and rallies in cities across Florida and elsewhere were part of a “Day of Action” as tensions rise over the threat to Roe v. Wade.

Ryan Fitzgerald made a 34-yard field-goal as time expired to lift Florida State to its first win of the season, 33-30 over Syracuse.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida filed suit against President Joe Biden's administration Tuesday claiming his immigration policy is illegal, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an order barring state agencies from assisting with the relocation of undocumented immigrants arriving in the state. Attorney General Ashley Moody's lawsuit claims the federal immigration policy will cost the state millions of dollars and cause harm to Florida. Moody and DeSantis held a news conference in southwest Florida in which both strongly condemned Biden on immigration and praised former President Donald Trump's policies. Asked about the lawsuit and DeSantis' order, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she hadn't seen the suit.

Florida is suing President Joe Biden’s administration claiming his immigration policy is illegal.

Malik Cunningham had four touchdowns _ two passing and two rushing _ as Louisville held off Florida State’s second-half rally, 31-23, in the Cardinals’ Atlantic Coast Conference opener.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — A banking error has caused dozens of Florida teachers to see their state-issued $1,000 bonus checks bounce, officials said Friday. Disaster relief payments issued to about 50 of the 176,000 educators who received checks were affected by the JPMorgan Chase error, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Education. State Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, brought attention to the error Friday morning when he tweeted a photo of a teacher's return item notice that was received after trying to deposit the check. Funded by federal COVID-19 relief money, the bonus payments to teachers, principals and first responders received bipartisan support in the Florida Legislature this past spring. State officials have said the $3.6 million is well below the 10% normally used for administrative costs for federal funding.

Florida State Representative Paul Renner invited the Palm Coast Fire Department Honor Guard to present the Nations Colors.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis along with the Florida Cabinet approved seven Florida Forever land acquisitions and conservation easements in six counties. In an announcement about the acquisition Governor Ron DeSantis said land conservation is an essential tool in protecting the environment. The land acquisition was made possible through the Florida Forever program which supports water resource protection, coastal resiliency, preservation of cultural resources, and public access to outdoor recreation. Video: DeSantis announces bill to eliminate FSA testingSince the inception of the Florida Forever program in 2001, the state of Florida spent approximately $3.2 billion to purchase more than 869,477 acres of land. For more information on Florida Forever, click here.

A top corrections official offered a stark picture of Florida’s prison system Wednesday, warning that lawmakers must boost salaries of corrections workers to avert a looming disaster as the system grapples with high turnover rates, dangerously low staffing levels and fatigued employees.

The Florida State Seminoles are 0-3 this year and FSU will look for its first victory of the season as the team hosts the Louisville Cardinals at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — A federal judge has struck down portions of a Florida immigration enforcement law that was a priority of the state's Republican governor, saying in her ruling that the measure was racially motivated. U.S. Judge Beth Bloom on Tuesday rejected sections of the law that ban local government sanctuary policies and require local law enforcement to make their best effort to work with federal immigration enforcement authorities. Bloom repeatedly said that the law was racially motivated and that its supporters showed no evidence as to why it was needed to lower crime. She said that the sponsor of the bill — SB 168 — was guided by anti-immigrant hate groups such as Floridians for Immigration Enforcement. In 2019, DeSantis signed the bill at a campaign-style appearance in the conservative Panhandle region, unlike his other more subdued formal bill signing events.

A bill regarding abortion in Florida titled the “Florida Heartbeat Act” was filed by Florida Representative Webster Barnaby on Wednesday morning.

Pointing to a need to “minimize the amount of time students are removed from in-person learning,” the Florida Department of Health on Wednesday issued a revised rule that gives parents more authority to decide whether children go to school after being exposed to people who have COVID-19.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida State Representative filed a Texas-style abortion bill on Wednesday that would prohibit abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill, filed by Florida Rep. Webster Barnaby, R - District 27, is deemed the “Florida Heartbeat Act.”READ: Justice Department files suit over Texas abortion lawIt states that once a heartbeat is detected, abortions will not be allowed unless the mother’s life is in danger. READ: Texas abortion law strains clinics: ‘Exactly what we feared’#BREAKING- HB 167 filed in Florida, would ban abortions if a fetal heart rate is detected. VIDEO: Florida prepares to follow Texas in banning abortionsToday HB167 was filed by Republican Lawmaker Webster Barnaby. This bill would ban abortion at 6 weeks and put into place a legal mechanism to sue anyone who helps someone end a pregnancy in Florida after 6 weeks.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As of Thursday, Florida’s businesses and local governments that require people to show proof they’ve been vaccinated could face thousands of dollars in fines. Ron DeSantis signed into law in May banning “vaccine passports.”READ: Florida’s ‘vaccine passport’ ban will be enforced starting this monthUnder the law businesses, counties and cities are free to make their own policies regarding virus protocols such as capacity limits, mask requirements and regular testing. But no one has to show whether they’ve had the vaccine to be allowed in or receive service. READ: AdventHealth moves to ‘Green status’ as COVID-19 cases dip below 1,000 for first time in monthsSince the governor’s signature in May, state law bars businesses, local governments and schools from asking people to prove they’re vaccinated. READ: Most parents believe kids are falling behind from virtual learning, study showsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold his second news conference of the day in Milton Wednesday afternoon.

After announcing last month that it will require nursing-home workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Biden administration said Thursday it will expand the requirement to hospitals and other types of health-care facilities.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida appeals court ruled in favor Friday of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration in the ongoing battle over whether public schools can require students to wear masks while on campus amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The order, signed in July, gave parents the sole right to decide whether their child should wear a mask in school. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also recommended that all children aged 2 and older wear masks in schools. More than 223.5 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, resulting in over 4.6 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.

An appeals court Friday put on hold a circuit judge’s ruling that said Gov. Ron DeSantis overstepped his constitutional authority.

An appeals court in Tallahassee has granted Florida’s request to reinstate a ban on mask mandates in schools, handing a temporary win to Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration.

A Florida woman convicted of helping mastermind the killing of her husband more than two decades ago has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a previous life sentence was tossed on appeal.

Former Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox and his former business partner Paige Carter-Smith were sentenced today in the Northern District of Florida to five years and two years in prison, respectively, for their roles in a multi-year scheme to use Maddox’s power as a sitting City Commissioner to extract bribes from Tallahassee companies with business in front of the City Commission. The payments were made to Governance by several companies in either monthly installments or lump sums, which companies sought favorable votes on City of Tallahassee issues. The defendants also admitted to tax fraud that resulted in losses of more than $76,000 in total to the IRS. Today’s sentences acknowledge betrayal of the public trust, the resulting erosion of confidence in our democratic process, and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would seek to illegally profit from public service. Deputy Chief Peter M. Nothstein and Trial Attorney Rosaleen T. O’Gara of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S.

Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law designed to crack down on riots and protests, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of the most key components of the law. The judge cited violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution in the ruling issued Thursday afternoon. Read: ‘I played dead and I prayed’: Girl remains hospitalized after family killed in Polk County shooting“This definition of ‘riot’ casts a broad net,” Judge Mark E. Walker wrote in a 90-page order. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV. Read: 2 people found dead in car at office complex parking lot in Orange County©2021 Cox Media Group

A Leon County circuit judge handed down the sentence for Denise Williams, rejecting arguments from her attorney that she was only a minor participant in the plot to kill her husband, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Mike Williams, a 31-year-old real estate appraiser, disappeared in December 2000 during what was supposedly a solo duck hunting trip to a lake in Jackson County.

Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper lifted an automatic stay of his decision last week that Republican Gov. Since DeSantis signed the mandatory mask ban order on July 30, 13 school boards representing more than half of Florida's 2.8 million students have adopted mask requirements with an opt-out only for medical reasons. The DeSantis order impermissibly enforces only the first portion of that law, Cooper said. Additionally, school officials in Broward, Alachua and Orange counties filed a petition to schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge. According to the filing, the local school officials want the judge to invalidate a state health department emergency rule against school mask requirements based on the governor’s executive order.

Orange County is among three school boards are challenging a Department of Health rule designed to prevent districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

9 Notre Dame escaped with a 41-38 victory after Florida State overcame an 18-point deficit Sunday night. Notre Dame led 38-20 with 4:37 to go in the third quarter. Travis started for Florida State, throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score. But he also threw three interceptions — two to Notre Dame star safety Kyle Hamilton. Florida State: Hosts Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Jonathan Doerer made a 41-yard field goal in overtime and No. 9 Notre Dame escaped with a 41-38 victory after Florida State overcame an 18-point deficit Sunday night.

Ron DeSantis said Thursday he might support enacting a law that would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, much like a Texas law that the U.S. Supreme Court allowed to take effect. The Republican governor told reporters that he wants to pass stronger laws against abortion, but he doesn't know enough about the Texas ban to definitively say he would support a similar bill in Florida. “What they did in Texas was interesting and I haven’t really been able to look enough into it,” DeSantis said at a West Palm Beach news conference when asked about the Texas law. “I am going to look more significantly at it.”The Texas law that took effect Wednesday bans abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks and before many women know they're pregnant. The court by a 5-4 vote denied an emergency appeal from abortion providers and others that sought to block the law’s enforcement.

Florida state education officials on Monday began to make good on threats to withhold funding from local school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates, despite a circuit judge last week ruling the ban unconstitutional. Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced that the Florida Department of Education has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties, as directed by the State Board of Education.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Correctional Officer on the job for less than three months killed in training exerciseA Florida Department of Corrections officer who had only been on the job for less than three months died during a training exercise, officials said. Officials with FDOC said Correctional Officer Trainee Whitney Cloud was injured by an accidental discharge during firearms training at the Harry K. Singletary Training Academy in Crawfordville Thursday. SEE: Tesla on autopilot crashes into FHP cruiser on I-4Officials said no other officers were injured in the incident. Cloud, who was assigned to Jefferson Correctional Institution in Monticello, Florida, started with the Department of Corrections June 25, 2021. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Tallahassee judge decided Friday with parents who said that the executive order to not allow school districts to impose mask mandates was unconstitutional. The ruling comes just after the Orange County school district that originally allowed for an opt-out option imposed a mask mandate. DeSantis’ order banning mask mandatesOrange County Public Schools chairperson Treasa Jacobs said they knew they were on solid ground when they took the vote and now feels vindicated. School board member Jennifer Jenkins in Brevard County is asking for an emergency meeting to discuss the ruling, and Orange County could do the same. WATCH: Local school district reports almost 400 new COVID-19 casesThe judge has not yet issued his written ruling.

A hearing in a high-profile lawsuit challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order aimed at preventing local school boards from imposing student mask mandates is ready for closing arguments on Thursday.

Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday began calling witnesses to back the state’s case against allowing school districts to impose student mask mandates, as a hearing continued in a lawsuit challenging a DeSantis executive order.

The U.S. Department of Education is “deeply concerned” about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order seeking to ban school mask mandates and is ready to help districts directly, the federal agency said in a letter to the governor Friday.

The now infamous DEO PIN reset debacle was successfully addressed and updated this week; however, the software remedy saw thousands of people still unable to apply for weekly benefits because their state unemployment accounts were locked and, in some cases, their identifications needed to be verified again.

New details are coming to light about the governor's plans to financially punish school districts that violate his order banning mask mandates in the classroom.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Federal officials approved a deal Friday that will allow the Seminole Tribe to operate sports betting and add roulette and craps to its seven Florida casinos, with the state potentially receiving $20 billion over the next 30 years. Ron DeSantis had worked out the gambling compact with the tribe this past spring, and it was later approved by the Republican-controlled Florida House and Senate. The deal needed final approved from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees tribal gambling operations. READ: Hot and dry Saturday afternoon, with storms developing around sunset“The final approval of this historic gaming compact is a big deal for the State of Florida,” DeSantis said in a statement. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that barred states from authorizing sports betting.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A scholarship program established to help students who are being bullied in school could be modified on Friday to allow students to transfer schools or enroll in a private school, depending on mask requirements or other COVID-19 rules. On Friday, the Florida Board of Education will hold an emergency meeting to discuss changes to the Hope Scholarship program. The Hope Scholarship was established by the Florida legislature in 2017 to provide money so students who are being bullied can enroll in a private school or transfer to another school. READ: President of Florida Education Association applauds schools adding mask mandates, defying governor“Health protocols for schools including masking, will be addressed by the Department of Health. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order denying school boards the authority to implement mask mandates on school grounds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Hialeah Gardens, outside of Miami, on Thursday.

Winning ticket A Missouri woman passed the time by buying a scratch-off ticket in Florida -- and won $1 million. (Florida Lottery)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Missouri woman may never again complain about a canceled flight. >> Read more trending newsAngela Caravella, 51, of Kansas City, was preparing to return to her Missouri home when her flight was canceled, WTSP reported. “I had a feeling something bizarre was going to happen after my flight was canceled unexpectedly,” Caravella said in a statement. The Fastest Road to $1,000,000 was launched in February 2020 and features 155 top prizes of $1 million, lottery officials said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Having just had her flight canceled, a Missouri woman's luck quickly changed when she won $1 million from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket. Angela Caravella, 51, of Kansas City, Missouri, claimed a $1 million top prize last month from The Fastest Road to $1,000,000 scratch-off game, according to a Florida Lottery news release. “I had a feeling something bizarre was going to happen after my flight was canceled unexpectedly,” Caravella said. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket. The $30 game that Caravella won launched in February 2020 and features 155 top prizes of $1 million and over $948 million in cash prizes.

Debt erased Graduates at Florida A&M University were surprised to learn that student debt would be erased. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It is a relief to graduate from college, but Florida A&M University students had an additional reason to smile. An additional $3 billion was earmarked for historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities and other minority-serving schools, according to the Democrat. Clark said it was canceling student debts from the spring 2020 semester through the 2021 summer semester, the Democrat reported. VSU said it is using CARES Act funding to erase student debts for more than 1,300 students, the newspaper reported.

Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried is expected to discuss the spike in cases across the state.

Two new billboards close to the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee attempt to draw a line between Ron DeSantis and embattled Florida congressman Matt Gaetz. The...