Florida's Latest News

DeSantis pushes Florida into uncertain stage with the coronavirus

With coronavirus cases down from a blistering mid-summer high, Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing Florida into an uncertain new September stage, marked by a return of children to classrooms, campuses crammed with university students, and football stadiums partially filled.

But with critically needed testing also slumping, public health experts say the active autumn is likely to produce at least one thing – a surge in the virus. Again.

“With all these openings of universities and schools, we’re going to get a spike. Soon,” said Dr. Ira Longini, a biostatistician and epidemiologist at the University of Florida. “But how big, it’s hard to say.”

Tallahassee police: Man brandished gun at protest in self-defense

A man attacked during a Black Lives Matter protest acted lawfully Saturday when he brandished a firearm outside of the Florida Historic Capitol, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

In a news release Sunday, TPD said investigators worked with the State Attorney’s Office to review several video sources. They determined the man “lawfully defended himself” and was a licensed concealed weapon holder.

Tallahassee police did not release the man’s name.

State Rep. Chris Latvala of Clearwater tests positive for COVID-19

Florida State Rep. Chris Latvala (R-Clearwater) announced Sunday he has tested positive for COVID-19 after holding a campaign event and touring a child-welfare facility last week.

Latvala, 38, had daily temperature checks and wore masks at both events, he said in a text message. He believes he was likely exposed during a separate instance on Aug. 23, when he had close contact with someone who later tested positive for the virus. That instance happened after the Aug. 22 campaign event and two days before a tour of a child welfare facility run by Lutheran Services Florida.

All who were potentially exposed have been notified “out of an abundance of caution,” he said in a text message to the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida boards that govern water use languish as DeSantis leaves vacancies unfilled

Section 373.073 of Florida law requires the governor to fill the state’s water management district boards.

So far, Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t followed it.

That’s a problem for the Florida Springs Council, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for the protection of Florida’s springs and spring-fed rivers.

“We urge you to do your job as Governor, to follow the laws of our state, and to appoint qualified applicants to fill the nine 2020 vacancies on Florida’s water management districts,” wrote Ryan Smart, the group’s executive director, in a letter to DeSantis Thursday.