Florida's Latest News

Coronavirus Florida: New cases at lowest level in 6 weeks

On a day that new COVID-19 cases plunged to the lowest level in six weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday fiercely insisted that Florida is slowly and steadily curbing the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Appearing at a press conference in Tampa to once again explain why he believes schools should be reopened, DeSantis balked at the suggestion that trends aren’t improving throughout the state.

“We’re not at the end of the road here, but to say that there hasn’t been good progress ... that just wouldn’t be looking at the trends that we’re seeing,” he said. “The facts do matter on this.”

Take the deal, Florida lawmakers tell governor as he mulls Trump’s unemployment offer

Governors across the nation were underwhelmed by President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order extending unemployment benefits by $400 per week.

But in Florida, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are encouraging Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the first governor to sign the deal.

The state’s unemployment benefits are so low, topping out at just $275 per week, that DeSantis doesn’t have a choice, lawmakers said.

Superintendents Ask State To Address COVID-19 Testing Issues

As Florida schools reopen this month, district superintendents are calling on state officials to address two major challenges: the need for rapid testing for COVID-19 and a statewide plan to handle students and staff members who test positive.

Florida Association of District School Superintendents President Michael A. Grego told Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Friday that “state direction is imperative” to ensure school districts have access to rapid test results and school officials know what to do when people show symptoms or test positive for the deadly respiratory illness.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, FSU players make it clear they want college football played

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to be perfectly clear: He'd like to see college football played this season, specifically in Florida and the South. 

"My sense is that SEC country is probably going to really want to play the season. I know the Big Ten may go in a different direction, but I do think that people want the season to go," DeSantis said Monday during a radio interview with Clay Travis on Fox Sports Radio Monday morning.

"I'm happy to help out with the effort, because I do think it's important. At the end of the day, this is a season that these student-athletes will not be able to get back, and that's going to have ramifications I think far into the future. You can do it safely, all athletes can make the decision for themselves. If they don't feel comfortable, let them keep their eligibility and come back, but I'd be willing to bet 99% would want to play."