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.

House entitled to some of Trump's financial records, federal judge rules

According to a federal judge in Washington, House Democrats who have spent years investigating Donald Trump are entitled to some of the former president’s financial records.

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.

Florida education commissioner ramps up DeSantis' threat to school officials over mask mandates

Two Florida counties have decided to require parents to submit doctors' notes if they want their children to be exempt from wearing masks. Now state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran says he will enforce Gov. DeSantis' threat to withhold the salaries of school officials in Alachua and Leon counties.

DeSantis objects to vaccine mandates at hospitals

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

Sen. Graham says he's urged Trump to 'speak up' on COVID vaccines

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, says he has asked the former president to press his supporters to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed during Trump's time in office. "He's very proud of that accomplishment," Graham said. "I've urged him to be aggressive and say, 'Take the vaccine.'"

Florida students who oppose masks could get private school vouchers

Florida students could soon use state-backed vouchers to transfer to private schools if they object to wearing masks in classrooms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis and state education officials argue that decisions about masks should be left up to parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Florida Education Association backs school districts on mask requirements

The Florida Education Association teachers union is backing school districts trying to work around Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that bars schools from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

'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.

Biden criticizes DeSantis, other Republican governors who block mask mandates

President Biden sharply criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others who have moved to block the reimposition of mask mandates to slow the delta strain of COVID-19: “If you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing."