Kathy Griffin has stage one lung cancer

Comedian Kathy Griffin says she's never smoked and that she must have half of her left lung removed now after a cancer diagnosis.

Mask requirement returns for Walmart, Publix employees

Starting Monday, all Publix employees will be required to wear masks, and Walmart employees will be required to wear face coverings if they work in areas with high infection rates. It remains optional for customers.

Delta variant infecting more young adults, many unvaccinated

With more than 20,000 new COVID-19 infections reported in Florida in one day, our state is the epicenter for the virus.  The highly transmissible delta variant is spreading like wildfire.

History of vaccine mandates in the United States

As COVID-19 vaccination rates have stalled in the U.S. and talk of mandates spreads, here’s a look back at the history of vaccine mandates in the country and how the Supreme Court has routinely defended states’ rights to enforce them.

Florida leads nation in per capita COVID-19 hospitalizations

A day after it recorded the most new daily cases since the start of the pandemic, Florida on Sunday broke a previous record for current hospitalizations, as the number of patients in hospitals because of COVID-19 once again broke through the 1,000-person threshold.

COVID-19 outbreaks, lack of staff force Lakeland daycare center close its doors permanently

On Friday, the Learning Station Academy in North Lakeland its doors for good because financially it could not hold on any longer after temporarily closing several times due to COVID-19 and not being able to find staff.

CDC: Florida breaks record with more than 21,000 new COVID cases

Federal health officials say Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. 

Holmes Beach restaurant says business is booming since requiring diners to be vaccinated

Beach Bistro on Holmes Beach in Anna Maria Island now requires diners to be vaccinated, adding to its "aggressive" safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

DeSantis signs executive order making masks optional in schools to 'protect rights of parents'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday barring local school districts from forcing students to wear masks when classes resume next month even as the state's coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket toward levels not seen since before vaccines became widely available.

Florida sees vaccine uptick amid surging Delta infections

As of Friday, a new program offering at-home vaccines had booked more than 400 appointments since it launched on Monday. 

Florida reports 110,477 COVID-19 cases this week, with more than 9,000 hospitalizations Friday

Florida on Thursday reported slightly more than 17,000 new COVID-19 cases, according to data posted Friday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state says there were 110,477 cases reported in the last 7 days. The state reported 108 deaths in the last 7 days, with 75 deaths reported just Thursday.

All Broadway theaters to require vaccinations, masks through October

In response to the surging delta variant of the coronavirus, all Broadway theaters in New York City will now require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a show. Masks must also be worn, announced the Broadway League.

Veteran Lakeland officer beats brain cancer three times

Sergeant Chad Mumbauer has served his community as a member of the Lakeland Police Department for 20 years. The first responder has beat cancer three times.

Free skin cancer screenings at Clearwater Beach

Moffitt Cancer Center's Mole Patrol is offering free skin, head, neck and oral cancer screenings at the Pier 60 Pavilion at Clearwater Beach on Saturday, July 31st from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Disney issues vaccine mandate for all salary, non-union hourly employees in the U.S.

Disney has informed its employees and Cast Members that the company will require all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of the company's sites to be fully vaccinated.

Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I'm vaccinated?

U.S. health officials say people who are fully vaccinated should get tested if they've been around someone who has COVID-19.

6 passengers test positive for COVID-19 after Royal Caribbean cruise

Six passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Bahamas tested positive for COVID-19 while onboard the ship. Four of them were vaccinated, while two were unvaccinated minors.