Florida's Latest News

DeSantis visits Daytona Buc-ee's to announce proposal to waive Florida's gas tax

Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Florida's largest gas station on Monday morning to announce a proposal to temporarily waive the state's gasoline tax next year to offset soaring fuel pump prices.

The waiver, pending approval by the state Legislature during the annual session that begins Jan. 11, could take effect in early 2022.

"What we're going to be proposing in the next legislative session is over a billion dollars in gas tax relief for Florida families," said DeSantis at a press conference held at the massive 104-pump Buc-ee's gas station in Daytona Beach. "We're taking over 25 cents from Florida and we'll basically zero that out as long as we can."

Jared Moskowitz, former ‘master of disaster,’ appointed to Broward Co. Commission

Gov. Ron DeSantis proved Tuesday there are some Democrats he likes.

Jared Moskowitz, a former Democratic Representative from Parkland and the state’s former director of the Division of Emergency Management, will replace Barbara Sharief, representing District 8 on the Broward County Commission, DeSantis announced Tuesday.

Torey Altson, current chief of staff for the Florida Department of Transportation, will replace Dale Holness in District 9, DeSantis also announced.

“They both have records of putting service above self,” Desantis said, as the families of both men surrounded him at a news conference Tuesday.

University of Florida scientists make promising discovery on COVID-19 treatment

A combination of over-the-counter products can thwart the duplication of  SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Saskatchewan, have discovered.

Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms, and lactoferrin, a protein found in cow and human milk used as a supplement to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers, have proven effective in retarding duplication of the virus during tests on monkey cells and human lung cells.

The findings, published in the journal Pathogens and announced in a UF press release Monday, could eventually lead to the development of a product that could be used in the fight against COVID-19, said David A. Ostrov, an immunologist and associate professor in the UF College of Medicine’s department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine.

CVS Health invests $7.7 million in affordable housing in Tampa

CVS Health is making a major investment in Tampa’s affordable housing market, announcing it will invest $7.7 million with Raymond James Tax Credits Funds to build a 61-unit multifamily apartment home development called Uptown Sky for families in Tampa.

“When people have access to high-quality, affordable housing, it puts them in a better position to take care of their health and manage chronic disease,” said David Casey, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, CVS Health. “As part of our commitment to address social justice and racial inequity, we’re addressing social determinants of health at the community level in Tampa, which is where we can make a meaningful and lasting impact.”  

The new Uptown Sky development will be located at 13603 North 12th Street in Tampa. Data compiled from the Census indicates that approximately 75 percent of residents identify as Black or Latino, and 60 percent live below the poverty line. Additionally, according to a recent report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, nearly half of American workers don’t earn enough to afford a one-bedroom apartment, and Tampa is reaching its highest rates to date, with rent increasing more than 20 percent in the last year.