DeSantis objects to vaccine mandates at hospitals

Governor DeSantis says he doesn’t support hospitals requiring their staff members to get vaccinated.

Politics surround pandemic in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ management of COVID-19 has boosted his countrywide cachet among fellow Republicans as he seeks re-election to the governor’s mansion next year and mulls a run for president in 2024.

Trial set on 24-hour abortion waiting period law

A Leon County circuit judge has scheduled a trial next year in a battle about the constitutionality of a 2015 state law that would require women to wait 24 hours before having abortions.

Health experts tout monoclonal antibody therapy's effectiveness in treating COVID-19

Monoclonal antibody therapy is getting rave reviews from medical experts for its effectiveness in treating patients with the coronavirus. But not all hospitals in Central Florida are offering it.

'I am standing in your way': DeSantis fires back after Biden criticizes Florida governor's pandemic response

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fired back at President Joe Biden, one day after the president criticized the Republican governor for his handling of the pandemic as the Sunshine State sees a record spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Alachua County School Board unanimously approves mask mandate

Signs in front of the Alachua Schools building remind people to wear their masks. Alachua County officials said they are seeing a spike in coronavirus cases among employees, which could put the start of the school year at risk. 

2 Stetson University students awarded tuition-free year as part of vaccine drawing

Vaccinated Stetson University students Marcus Boyd and Joshua Sanchez will be receiving free tuition for a year, thanks to the Safer Stetson Awards.   

Inmate numbers to increase after pandemic drop

After inmate populations in Florida prisons plummeted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of prisoners is expected to increase 7.1 percent during this fiscal year, state analysts projected in a report posted online Wednesday.

Central Florida physician prescribing 3rd COVID-19 vaccine for some

One Central Florida doctor has been testing all of his 65-and-older patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine for coronavirus antibodies. In some cases, the results have shown no presence of the antibodies months after the shot, which is why he is prescribing a third booster shot for those patients.

Walt Disney World announces that annual passes will return

"Walt Disney World Resort will be sharing additional information and details later this month, so be sure to stay tuned,” the theme park company wrote.

Long-haul COVID cases now considered a disability

Long-haul COVID cases, when COVID symptoms last months after first becoming sick, will now be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning long-haulers will be protected and accommodated at work.

Florida's delay in distribution of federal rental assistance funds under scrutiny

Florida received $870 million in federal funds for rental assistance, but as of Friday, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) has only distributed 2% of the funds.

2 injured in shooting outside Ocala's Paddock Mall
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Police in Ocala are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Paddock Mall. Authorities were still searching for a suspect late Tuesday evening and they believe this was not a random act.

Florida's COVID-19 hospitalizations reach all-time high of 11,515 patients

As Florida reached another record-breaking number of COVID-19 patients in one day, Governor Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that hospital admissions are slowing down.

Polk sheriff: Disney employees, nurse and California man among 17 arrested in undercover child predator sting

Seventeen suspects thought they were speaking to young teens online, but it turned out they were speaking to undercover detectives across several agencies in central Florida. Among those arrested include Disney employees, a registered nurse, and a married man visiting from California, officials say.

St. Pete police search for suspect who shot girlfriend while she was holding baby

St. Pete police are searching for 38-year-old Benjamin Robert Williams who they say shot and killed his girlfriend while she was holding their baby in her arms.