DOJ asks court to reverse rule lifting requirement for COVID masks on public transportation

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday asked a federal appeals court to overturn a U.S. District Court judge’s order that declared a government mandate requiring masks on public transportation unlawful, according to a report.

Tampa Bay considered 'high risk' area as COVID-19 cases continue to spike

Data from the CDC shows more than half of Florida residents are in communities with "high risk" levels of COVID-19. It's the 10th consecutive week infections have gone up.

Lennard High School student walks at graduation after suffering stroke more than a year ago

A Lennard High School senior's walk across the stage at graduation has been months in the making. Hailey Highsmith suffered a stroke a little over a year ago, losing her ability to walk and talk, but that didn't stop her.

Poll: 1 in 3 Americans say COVID-19 is over amid rising cases

This poll comes as nearly every state experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases. Yet, daily cases are still well below the all-time high reached during the winter.

CDC recommends resuming indoor masking in high COVID areas

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending people in areas at a high COVID-19 community level resume indoor masking.

Eric Clapton cancels shows after testing positive for COVID

Eric Clapton, a critic of coronavirus vaccines and pandemic restrictions, has tested positive for COVID-19 and canceled two upcoming European gigs.

Memorial garden honoring Carlie Brucia rededicated after much-needed repairs

A memorial garden for kidnapping victim Carlie Brucia is being rededicated after volunteers stepped up to help make some much-needed repairs. Over the years, the memorial fell in disarray, but after months of work it's back to looking much more like it did when it was first dedicated.

Fauci says he'll leave White House if Trump wins 2024 election

Dr. Anthony Fauci laughed and said "no" when asked he if he would stay in his post as chief medical adviser at the White House if former President Donald Trump wins the 2024 election. 

Local nonprofit resources strained as inflation surges

Buying food isn’t just getting harder for families in need, it’s hitting the nonprofits that help them. Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries said surging inflation is straining resources, and both nonprofits said workers are seeing a record number of families needing help. 

Court rules against Florida businesses on COVID-19 insurance coverage

A federal appeals court Thursday rejected arguments by Florida restaurants and a furniture retailer that insurance policies should have covered losses stemming from shutdowns early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 15M deaths associated with COVID-19, World Health Organization says

Scientists estimate there were between 13.3 million and 16.6 million deaths that were either caused directly by the coronavirus or were somehow attributed to the pandemic’s impact on health systems.

Non-profit helps those with disabilities find work at businesses facing labor shortages

The non-profit helps place with all kinds of disabilities, and the agency can boast quite a roster of business partners. Publix, Walmart and Amazon have all worked with employU to fill open positions.

Dr. Fauci says the ‘US is out of the pandemic phase’

Dr. Anthony Fauci said COVID-19 infections and deaths are at a lower level in the U.S., but people should still get 'intermittently' vaccinated.

Polk County fish producer benefits from pandemic boom in tropical fish

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Polk County man hasn't been able to keep up with the demand for the fish he raises at Urban Tropical, his farm in North Lakeland.

Philadelphia officially drops reinstated indoor mask mandate

Effective immediately, Philadelphia officials now strongly recommend all people wear masks indoors, but they are no longer required under the mask mandate that was reimplemented on Monday.

UK patient had COVID-19 for 505 days straight, study shows

Although persistent infections are rare, experts said there are many people with compromised immune systems who remain at risk of severe COVID-19.

Airlines to allow passengers banned over masks back on planes

Now that most airlines have made masks optional in the U.S., here's where the four largest stand on bringing back passengers who refused to wear them when they were required.