Florida's Latest News

Florida’s COVID-19 hospitalizations drop under 7,000. Full vaccinations rise by 30,813

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Sunday report showed 6,914 COVID-19 patients reported from 262 Florida hospitals.

That’s 271 fewer patients than Saturday’s report from 262 hospitals. In Sunday’s report, COVID-19 patients occupied 11.8% of inpatient beds in those hospitals compared with 12.26% in the previous day’s reporting hospitals.

The percentage number is based on 262 hospitals reporting 6,914 inpatient beds in use for COVID-19 patients and 58,573 total inpatient beds.

Of the people hospitalized in Florida, 1,818 people were in intensive care units, a decrease of 58 from the previous day’s report. That represents 27.96% of the ICU beds at the 262 hospitals reporting data, compared to 28.8% on Saturday.

Florida representative seeking to reunite Haitian families, concerned about migration crisis

A Texas migrant camp that held more than 15,000 asylum seekers, most of whom are Haitian, has been cleared. 

Haitian families were transported to several immigration processing facilities, however they are quickly becoming overrun. Dr. Linda Tavernier-Almada has been paying close attention to the latest events at the border. 

"The welcoming committee is never put out for people of African descent," said the Haiti native and University of South Florida Global Studies instructor. She adds that Haitians are fleeing destructive gangs. 

"You see the Haitians that are coming by South America, but what you don't see is there is a huge flight of those Haitians who are coming in, but they are also coming in with money and coming in legally," Tavernier-Almada said.

Mike Grieco bill would give cities, counties full control over vacation rentals

After a decade of legislative battles over how much — if any — cities and counties should be allowed to regulate vacation rentals, Democratic Rep. Michael Grieco is proposing to just let the locals decide it all.

Grieco, of Miami Beach, filed a bill Wednesday that would wipe out state preemptions on local ordinances concerning vacation rentals and let cities and counties determine on their own how to regulate the vibrant 21st-century lodging business that is variously seen as an economic boon or social menace in various neighborhoods.

“I don’t think it’s a crazy concept to think that local elected officials are best positioned to decide what works in their cities and counties,” Grieco said.

House Bill 6033 declares “A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals.”

Winter Is Coming, So Florida Black Bears Are Fatting Up In Preparation

Bears begin eating more calories in the fall to pack on additional fat needed during the winter months. Bears will consume up to 20,000 calories per day and will snack on anything that’s convenient, including what's in your garbage.

There are an estimated 1,000 bears in South Florida living in the conservation areas of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Bears are found throughout Florida and sometimes visit neighborhoods. If bears can't find food, they will move on.

State wildlife officials are trying to get the word out about ways to protect both people and bears by securing garbage and other things that could attract bears to yards and neighborhoods. According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), when people intentionally or inadvertently feed bears, it's a lose-lose situation.