Florida's Latest News

Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States, says it’s ‘time to heal’ in speech to nation; Trump disputes election results

Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday and offered himself to the nation as a leader who “seeks not to divide, but to unify” a country gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.

“I sought this office to restore the soul of America,” Biden said in a prime-time victory speech not far from his Delaware home, “and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.”

Biden crossed the winning threshold of 270 Electoral College votes with a win in Pennsylvania. His victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of mail-in votes that delayed processing.

Ray Rodrigues latest Florida lawmaker to test positive for COVID-19

State Senator Ray Rodrigues has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Estero Republican was tested on Saturday before a routine medical appointment but the results came back on Sunday with a positive result for the coronavirus. He is not showing symptoms.

“In advance of a routine medical procedure, Senator Rodrigues was tested for COVID-19 and was notified today that he is positive,” said Erin Isaac, a spokesperson for his campaign. “He is feeling fine and has no symptoms. He is quarantining and reaching out to people he has been in contact with for notification.”

Geraldine Thompson tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Geraldine Thompson tested positive for COVID-19, her House office announced Saturday.

That means she will have to miss events scheduled to honor July Perry, a victim of the Ocoee massacre, including a last Masonic rites ceremony and the unveiling of a sign designating a portion of State Road 438 named for Perry.

“Unfortunately, my recent diagnosis means that I cannot attend today’s events. I am experiencing moderate symptoms and will be quarantining at home,” the Central Florida Democrat said.

“I have worked on appropriately honoring July Perry for almost two decades and am deeply saddened that I cannot be present for the road designation, which resulted from legislation I introduced last session.”

E-learning is many parents' school choice. Will Florida leave it in place?

Will e-learning remain in second semester? The state superintendents association has recommended leaving it intact. So has a medical advisory committee working with the Orange County school district, WKMG reports. Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked for advice in October, when he also said in-person classes are better, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Some children are staying home at higher rates than others. In central Florida, it’s lower-income minority students, whose families are more fearful of COVID-19, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Perhaps set-ups like this one will influence the state’s decision. The Marion County school district has required e-learning students with core-course grades less than C to return to face-to-face classes, WKMG reports. It's in an agreement parents signed.