Florida's Latest News

Florida politicians and Democratic Party got loans through PPP

Top Florida Republicans and allies of President Donald Trump, as well as the Florida Democratic Party, have received millions worth of taxpayer loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Act, a federal stimulus measure for businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

After the Trump administration initially said it would not release specific recipients of loans through the $660 billion program, information released Monday listed recipients who received more than $150,000. The information was reported in dollar ranges, so it’s unclear exactly how much went to each entity.

In Florida, COVID-19 deaths lag hospitalizations, which lag cases

Epidemiologists may argue whether Florida sees two waves of coronavirus outbreak — or just one resurgent wave.

But if the assumption is there have been two waves, patterns clearly are repeating themselves in Florida, which could be increasingly bad news regarding hospitalizations and deaths.

Facing The Fall: School reopening mandate draws concerns, confusion from parents and school districts

Leaders of school districts across Northeast Florida thought their comprehensive plans to reopen schools were all but settled. But with about a month to go until classes are scheduled to resume, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran threw a wrench in reopening plans when he issued an emergency order Monday evening mandating that schools offer in-person classes on campuses this fall. The order, which came as a shock to many in the education world, has left districts and parents scrambling to figure out what comes next.

Gov. DeSantis and Corcoran, a former Florida House speaker, have been determined to reopen public schools at full capacity next month, even as state health officials have reported a minimum of 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in each of the last two weeks. Their wish became a mandate on Monday.

Libertarians bring a socially distanced convention to Orlando, with color-coded ‘risk bracelets’

The Republican National Convention in Jacksonville next month won’t be the first national party gathering in Florida this summer.

The Libertarian National Convention kicks off Wednesday in Orlando, bringing hundreds of delegates to the five-day event at the Rosen Centre on International Drive.

The convention will hold most of its larger sessions at the Orange County Convention Center across the street, becoming one of the first events to be partially held at the convention center since the pandemic began.