Citing COVID-19, Taylor County schools to shut down for 2 days
Citing "challenging daily operating procedures" because of a staff shortage related to COVID-19, the Taylor County schools will close on Thursday and Friday.
5 Republican-run states under federal investigation for banning masks in schools
The Education Department says it’s investigating five Republican-led states that have banned or limited mask requirements in schools, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.
Wharton High School physics students take experiments to new heights at MOSI
Even though the SpaceX rocket launch was delayed until Sunday due to poor weather, conditions in Tampa were clear for Hillsborough County students to participate in the district’s first-ever, high-altitude balloon launch at MOSI.
Teacher took off mask for read-aloud and infected half the class with COVID-19, CDC report says
Health officials investigated a COVID-19 delta outbreak at an elementary school in California and found an unvaccinated, infected teacher who read aloud to students without a mask started the spread.
Governor’s school mask-mandate ban illegal and unsupported, judge rules
A Florida judge ruled Governor Ron DeSantis's executive order banning mask mandates in schools was unconstitutional, while also rejecting many of the anti-mask claims DeSantis made when issuing the ban back in July.
Lawyers for DeSantis, parents make closing arguments in school masks lawsuit
With a Leon County circuit judge expected to rule Friday, attorneys made closing arguments Thursday in a legal battle over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that sought to block school districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USF study makes operating rooms come to life in virtual reality to potentially improve medical training
A local medical technology startup is working with USF Health to make operating rooms more accessible through virtual reality.
Students directly impacted by mask mandates speak on both sides of the issue at school board meetings
For weeks, we've heard from parents on both sides of the mask debate, but what about students? Some students as young as 10 have been finding their voice at local school board meetings and people are starting to listen.
Warrant: Georgia teacher used zip ties to restrain child
Elizabeth Louise Board, a teacher at Godley Station K-8 School in the Savannah-Chatham School District, used the ties Aug. 6 to secure a student to his chair and table, officials alleged.
Closing arguments set in lawsuit against Governor DeSantis' mask mandate ban
A hearing in a high-profile lawsuit challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order aimed at preventing local school boards from imposing student mask mandates is ready for closing arguments on Thursday.
Florida father protesting school mask mandate arrested for child abuse after fight with another student
A South Florida father faces child abuse charges after police said he got into a physical fight with a student at his daughter's school while protesting Broward County's mask mandate.
Masks mandated for over half of Florida's public school students as more school districts defy DeSantis
Just over half of Florida’s 2.8 million public school students now face mandates to wear masks in classrooms, as at least 10 school boards making up some of the state's largest districts are now defying Gov. DeSantis' executive order banning mask mandates in schools.
Orange County School Board reinstates mask mandate with no opt-out
The Orange County School Board is reinstating a mask mandate following lengthy discussion and public comment on Tuesday. The mandate, which does not include an opt-out clause, is to be in place for 60 days and begins on Monday, Aug. 30.
Central Florida school to close for rest of week due to COVID-19
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple students, teachers, and staff members at Celebration K-8 during this past week,” the school district said.
Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Pinellas school leaders vote against holding special meeting to address mask mandates
School board members in Pinellas County voted not to hold a special meeting on mask mandates despite demands from a group of parents, teachers and doctors that their school board follow the lead of the state's largest districts, like Hillsborough County, to require – not simply suggest – that everyone inside schools wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
13-year-old Marietta student begins classes at Georgia Tech
Like any new student, Caleb Anderson has some classes he looks forward to and others he is not as excited about taking.
Florida judge hears arguments over DeSantis’ school mask-mandate ban
A Leon County circuit judge began hearing arguments Monday in a high-profile lawsuit about whether Florida school districts should be able to set student mask requirements as COVID-19 continues to surge across the state.
School mask mandate discussion reaches Pinellas County ahead of Tuesday meeting
Some parents in Pinellas County are demanding the school district require masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the next 60 days.