Florida's Latest News

Florida shatters opening day record for early voting

Florida shattered its opening day record for in-person early voting Monday, with at least 350,000 people casting ballots and election officials continuing to count statewide late into the night.

The trend continues a record-setting pace in the battleground state that is viewed as a must-win for President Donald Trump. Voting by mail, which started earlier this month, racked up more than 2.5 million ballots headed into Monday, more than double the 1.2 million during the same timeframe in 2016.

More than 350,000 voters, some of whom were treated to pizza by singer Ariana Grande while they waited in line, easily surpassed 2016 numbers when 291,000 people voted on the first day of in-person early voting, which includes 52 of Florida’s 67 counties. All counties begin early voting on Saturday.

Florida Lawmakers Excited, Wary About Capitol Return In A Pandemic

It is a Florida tradition. Two weeks after the Nov. 3 election, lawmakers will return for a one-day ceremonial session. A new House speaker and Senate president will take charge. Dozens of newly elected legislators will take the oath of office and the Legislature will adopt rules to guide it for the next two years. Lawmakers believe they have to take those steps in person -- not remotely.

Incoming Senate President Wilton Simpson said there will be restrictions on public access to the Capitol, and limits on how many people can be in the Senate Chamber.

We’re going to drastically limit the number of people on the floor so that we can honor a six feet social distancing effort, and I believe everyone will have masks on, he said.

Trump Announces Partnership With CVS, Walgreens For Nursing Home COVID Vaccination

The Trump administration announced a new partnership with two major national pharmacy chains to facilitate the distribution of a future coronavirus vaccine to nursing homes on Friday.

"Today, I'm thrilled to announce that we have just finalized a partnership with CVS and Walgreens," President Trump told a group in Fort Myers, Fla., at an event centered on seniors. He said the plan was for the pharmacies to "deliver the vaccine directly to nursing homes at no cost to our seniors."

The Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program is part of the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed effort. No coronavirus vaccines have yet been authorized by the government, though several vaccine candidates are in the final stages of clinical trials.

Glamorous Miami club caught in power struggle over the virus

At LIV, one of the most glamorous, star-studded nightclubs in one of the world’s biggest party destinations, there’s a velvet-roped VIP area, and then there’s a secret VIP area. The parties at the club are so legendary they have inspired lyrics from Drake, Kanye West, and Rick Ross. High rollers spend up to $20,000 just for a table.

Today, LIV sits quiet and empty — a casualty not just of the coronavirus outbreak but of a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge.

On a recent Friday, the sleek black floors and curved silver snakeskin couches were a sad sight in the harsh light of day. A bottle of hand sanitizer rested on top of the DJ booth, where back in February a man shelled out $120,000 just to sit there during a performance by Cardi B.