Twitter suspends DeSantis’ press secretary’s account for ‘abusive behavior’
Twitter suspended the account of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary for violating rules on "abusive behavior" after The Associated Press said her conduct led to a reporter receiving threats and other online abuse.
Port Tampa Bay ready for cruises to sail in October
Port Tampa Bay is preparing for cruises to set sail this October, just as a judge said cruise lines are allowed to require proof passengers have been vaccinated.
4 of Florida's 5 largest school districts mandate masks, defying DeSantis' executive order
Four of Florida's five largest school districts are now defying Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates. School boards in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Alachua counties are all requiring students to wear face coverings unless they get a doctor's note -- no longer allowing parents to opt out.
Monoclonal antibody treatment sites open in Tampa, Hudson; Tropicana Field next
Monoclonal antibodies battle the virus by mimicking a person’s immune system and work best when administered early. It's given through an IV and takes about an hour to receive.
Biden administration says states banning mask mandates in schools could face civil rights investigations
President Biden has ordered his Education secretary to explore possible legal action against states, including Florida, that have blocked school mask mandates. The Education Department says such bans could amount to discrimination and civil rights violations.
DeSantis' top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.
Florida parents push back against state's attempt to dismiss lawsuit challenging ban on school mask mandates
Attorneys for a group of parents are pushing back against the state's attempt to dismiss their lawsuit challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis' efforts to prevent mask mandates in schools.
Florida taxpayers spent $4.85 million in one year protecting Gov. DeSantis and his family
Florida taxpayers spent nearly $4.85 million during the past fiscal year to protect Gov. Ron DeSantis, his family, the governor’s mansion and various visiting dignitaries, according to a state report released Monday.
DeSantis touts monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, says it's 'underpublicized'
Gov. DeSantis says he plans to open rapid response monoclonal antibody treatment sites across Florida and expand access to the treatment, which provides a temporary but immediate boost to the immune system to help fight COVID-19 infections.
US Department of Education says it's 'deeply concerned' about DeSantis' ban on school mask mandates
The U.S. Department of Education is “deeply concerned” about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order seeking to ban school mask mandates and is ready to help districts directly, the federal agency said in a letter to the governor.
Biden calls Florida school superintendents who defied DeSantis' anti-mask rules
President Biden called several Florida school district superintendents to praise them for doing “the right thing” after their boards implemented mask requirements in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates in schools amid growing COVID-19 infections.
Biden admin backs Texas, Florida districts on mask mandates
President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday offered its full-throated support for local cities and school boards in Texas and Florida that are defying orders by their Republican governors that prohibit mask-wearing mandates in schools.
Florida judge to decide on challenge to DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools
The mask showdown continues Friday inside of a Florida courtroom as parents face off against Governor Ron DeSantis, challenging his executive order against mandating masks inside of schools.
Florida admits state cannot withhold salaries of superintendents who mandate masks in school districts
Days after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to ban mask mandates by local school districts and the state threatened to withhold school funding and school officials' salaries, the Florida governor’s office now says they have no control over local employees’ pay.
440 students told to quarantine in Palm Beach County just 2 days into new school year
Just 2 days into the school year, Palm Beach County sent 440 students home to quarantine after 51 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The district requires masks -- but allows parents to opt out their children, per Gov. DeSantis' order.
Florida governor says resuming daily COVID-19 reporting ‘may not be a bad idea’
As Florida continues to see a surge of cases caused by the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke publicly Thursday about possibly reverting back to daily reporting of COVID-19 data to provide county-level information to residents.
DeSantis launches expanded antibody treatments to help hospitals struggling with rising COVID-19 cases
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is launching a rapid response unit to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies and relieve pressure at hospitals that continue to report a rise in COVID-19 patients.
‘A success story’: Lakewood Elementary teachers in St. Pete first to receive $1,000 bonuses
After going from an "F" school to an "A" school, the teachers of Lakewood Elementary in St. Pete were among the first in Florida to receive their $1,000 bonus.
Broward school board becomes latest to defy DeSantis by imposing mask mandate in schools
The Florida Department of Education is threatening to withhold the salaries of the Broward County superintendent and the members of the school board after they became the latest county to defy Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order barring mask mandates in schools.
CARES Act funds could be used to pay salaries of school officials who impose mask mandates: White House
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that CARES Act funds could be used to pay school administrators whose salaries were withheld over imposing mask mandates in school districts.