The Orlando Sentinel’s editorial board video-interviewed one of two Republican candidates for Seminole County tax collector this week, J.R. Kroll. The other candidate, Brian Beute, didn’t sit in. He’s collateral damage in Joel Greenberg’s scorched-earth re-election campaign. Advertisement Greenberg, who until recently was the incumbent tax collector, is under , accused of posing as a “very concerned student” in fake letters to the private school where Beute teaches, falsely accusing him of sexual misconduct. As if sexual assault on kids wasn’t enough, the feds say Greenberg falsely wrote...…The Orlando Sentinel’s editorial board video-interviewed one of two Republican candidates for Seminole County tax collector this week, J.R. Kroll. The other candidate, Brian Beute, didn’t sit in. He’s collateral damage in Joel Greenberg’s scorched-earth re-election campaign. Advertisement Greenberg, who until recently was the incumbent tax collector, is under , accused of posing as a “very concerned student” in fake letters to the private school where Beute teaches, falsely accusing him of sexual misconduct. As if sexual assault on kids wasn’t enough, the feds say Greenberg falsely wrote...WW…

Florida reported 15,300 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, once again shattering its record for a single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began. The statewide total, including non-residents, is now 269,811. The state also broke its record for most tests administered in a day with 99,003 more tests reported Sunday. Over 2.5 million people have been tested to date. Advertisement July 4 showed the second-highest increase for cases, with , and the second-highest on Friday with reported. Saturday’s update was fourth with 10,360. The death toll is now 4,242. With 104 non-resident deaths included,...…Florida reported 15,300 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, once again shattering its record for a single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began. The statewide total, including non-residents, is now 269,811. The state also broke its record for most tests administered in a day with 99,003 more tests reported Sunday. Over 2.5 million people have been tested to date. Advertisement July 4 showed the second-highest increase for cases, with , and the second-highest on Friday with reported. Saturday’s update was fourth with 10,360. The death toll is now 4,242. With 104 non-resident deaths included,...WW…

Nearly 7,000 Floridians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, according to new county-by-county data released Friday by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. The data, which for the first time breaks down the number of people in the hospital with coronavirus, was promised by the state two weeks ago. Advertisement It does not show how many patients are in general hospital beds or intensive care units. Health experts and officials have been warning of a rise in deaths after the state’s initial spike in cases. Deaths usually trail cases for about a month, said Dr. Jason Salemi,...…Nearly 7,000 Floridians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, according to new county-by-county data released Friday by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. The data, which for the first time breaks down the number of people in the hospital with coronavirus, was promised by the state two weeks ago. Advertisement It does not show how many patients are in general hospital beds or intensive care units. Health experts and officials have been warning of a rise in deaths after the state’s initial spike in cases. Deaths usually trail cases for about a month, said Dr. Jason Salemi,...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced deployments of health workers throughout the state as well as new shipments of a promising antiviral used to treat the novel coronavirus as the state continues to see a resurgence in new cases. At a Saturday press conference in Bradenton, the governor said about 1,000 personnel will be sent to hospitals around the state to support local efforts to combat COVID-19. Advertisement “COVID is very labor intensive,” DeSantis said. “There’s a lot of procedures that go into place [to test and treat it] ... so the personnel is something that’s very significant.” He also...…Gov. Ron DeSantis announced deployments of health workers throughout the state as well as new shipments of a promising antiviral used to treat the novel coronavirus as the state continues to see a resurgence in new cases. At a Saturday press conference in Bradenton, the governor said about 1,000 personnel will be sent to hospitals around the state to support local efforts to combat COVID-19. Advertisement “COVID is very labor intensive,” DeSantis said. “There’s a lot of procedures that go into place [to test and treat it] ... so the personnel is something that’s very significant.” He also...WW…

In cutting $1 billion from Florida’s budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ red pen also wiped out funding for one of the state’s decades-old affordable housing programs. The entire $225 million previously allocated by the Legislature for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, also known as SHIP, was vetoed, moving the money back into the Sadowski trust fund until legislators convene again. Advertisement Mitchell Glasser, manager of Orange County’s housing and community development division, said the county was expecting $11.7 million in SHIP funds this year, compared with the past two years when...…In cutting $1 billion from Florida’s budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ red pen also wiped out funding for one of the state’s decades-old affordable housing programs. The entire $225 million previously allocated by the Legislature for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, also known as SHIP, was vetoed, moving the money back into the Sadowski trust fund until legislators convene again. Advertisement Mitchell Glasser, manager of Orange County’s housing and community development division, said the county was expecting $11.7 million in SHIP funds this year, compared with the past two years when...WW…

Tropical Storm Edouard forms and 2 more systems are tracked including one off the coast of Florida with potential, according to FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King. Tropical Storm Edouard became the fifth named storm of the 2020 hurricane season late Sunday forming over the Atlantic while the National Hurricane Center was also tracking two more systems, including one off the coast of Florida, with potential to grow into the next tropical depression. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Tropical Storm Edouard was located 435 miles south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland with 45 mph winds and moving...…Tropical Storm Edouard forms and 2 more systems are tracked including one off the coast of Florida with potential, according to FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King. Tropical Storm Edouard became the fifth named storm of the 2020 hurricane season late Sunday forming over the Atlantic while the National Hurricane Center was also tracking two more systems, including one off the coast of Florida, with potential to grow into the next tropical depression. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Tropical Storm Edouard was located 435 miles south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland with 45 mph winds and moving...WW…

Central Florida now has 25,418 cases, up 1,691 from a day earlier. Florida reported 11,458 new coronavirus cases on Independence Day, shattering its record for daily reported cases in the state since the pandemic began. The single-day record was last broken on Thursday with over 10,000 new cases. To date, the state health department has reported a total of 190,052 cases. Advertisement Thursday and Saturday’s record-breaking reports are followed by June 27′s report with 9,585 cases, Friday’s report of 9,488 cases, and 8,942 cases posted on June 26, according to the department’s data. The...…Central Florida now has 25,418 cases, up 1,691 from a day earlier. Florida reported 11,458 new coronavirus cases on Independence Day, shattering its record for daily reported cases in the state since the pandemic began. The single-day record was last broken on Thursday with over 10,000 new cases. To date, the state health department has reported a total of 190,052 cases. Advertisement Thursday and Saturday’s record-breaking reports are followed by June 27′s report with 9,585 cases, Friday’s report of 9,488 cases, and 8,942 cases posted on June 26, according to the department’s data. The...WW…

Many of the Walt Disney World workers who will be cleaning hotel rooms, preparing meals and providing other services for NBA players confined to a “bubble” on the resort’s property will be commuting from some of the hottest coronavirus infection zones in greater Orlando. Of the 20 Central Florida ZIP codes with the most Disney workers represented by union Unite Here, half rank in the region’s top 30 ZIPs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, an Orlando Sentinel analysis shows. More than 8,600 Disney workers live in those ZIP code areas. Advertisement The 32824 ZIP code that includes Belle Isle has...…Many of the Walt Disney World workers who will be cleaning hotel rooms, preparing meals and providing other services for NBA players confined to a “bubble” on the resort’s property will be commuting from some of the hottest coronavirus infection zones in greater Orlando. Of the 20 Central Florida ZIP codes with the most Disney workers represented by union Unite Here, half rank in the region’s top 30 ZIPs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, an Orlando Sentinel analysis shows. More than 8,600 Disney workers live in those ZIP code areas. Advertisement The 32824 ZIP code that includes Belle Isle has...WW…

Orlando Magic players have been moved by social injustice, most specifically with the death of George Floyd, and the NBA stars say racism and inequality needs to stop. During the NBA’s COVID-19 shutdown, which began March 12, Orlando Magic players have not only kept up with the impact of the coronavirus, but they also watched the video capturing Floyd’s death while he was being taken into custody by a white Minneapolis police officer. Advertisement The ensuing nationwide protests and support for the Black Lives Matter movement were certainly not lost on Magic players. Magic sharpshooter...…Orlando Magic players have been moved by social injustice, most specifically with the death of George Floyd, and the NBA stars say racism and inequality needs to stop. During the NBA’s COVID-19 shutdown, which began March 12, Orlando Magic players have not only kept up with the impact of the coronavirus, but they also watched the video capturing Floyd’s death while he was being taken into custody by a white Minneapolis police officer. Advertisement The ensuing nationwide protests and support for the Black Lives Matter movement were certainly not lost on Magic players. Magic sharpshooter...WW…

Voting by mail, a centerpiece of elections in Florida for almost 20 years, is being hailed in 2020 as a life-saving necessity amid the coronavirus pandemic and attacked by President Donald Trump and his supporters as “fraud.” Elections supervisors across the state are preparing for a major jump in voters choosing to vote by mail, with several sending every voter in their county an application. But Democrats and liberal groups are arguing that even more should be done, citing the high rejection rates and tight deadlines that have Advertisement Craig Latimer, Hillsborough elections chief and...…Voting by mail, a centerpiece of elections in Florida for almost 20 years, is being hailed in 2020 as a life-saving necessity amid the coronavirus pandemic and attacked by President Donald Trump and his supporters as “fraud.” Elections supervisors across the state are preparing for a major jump in voters choosing to vote by mail, with several sending every voter in their county an application. But Democrats and liberal groups are arguing that even more should be done, citing the high rejection rates and tight deadlines that have Advertisement Craig Latimer, Hillsborough elections chief and...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis would not take any responsibility for Florida’s skyrocketing coronavirus numbers Thursday, just hours after the state recorded its highest single day of new cases with more than 10,000. “Well, do you give credit for Florida for having much lower fatalities per 100,000 than all the states you just praised?” DeSantis told a reporter who asked about Florida and other Southern states’ case numbers compared with the Northeast. Advertisement “We have fewer fatalities than some of those states have just in nursing homes,‘' he said. “And we’re more populated than all of those. So...…Gov. Ron DeSantis would not take any responsibility for Florida’s skyrocketing coronavirus numbers Thursday, just hours after the state recorded its highest single day of new cases with more than 10,000. “Well, do you give credit for Florida for having much lower fatalities per 100,000 than all the states you just praised?” DeSantis told a reporter who asked about Florida and other Southern states’ case numbers compared with the Northeast. Advertisement “We have fewer fatalities than some of those states have just in nursing homes,‘' he said. “And we’re more populated than all of those. So...WW…

Florida reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a grim single-day record for the state that surpassed the previous high of more than 9,300 infections less than a week ago. And in more bad news, Jacksonville – where the GOP convention is slated to be held next month – is the fastest-growing metro area in the nation for coronavirus cases, followed by the Orlando and Tampa metro areas, according to an analysis based on data from Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement The bring the state’s total to 169,106, with 67 new fatalities raising the death toll to 3,617. During a...…Florida reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a grim single-day record for the state that surpassed the previous high of more than 9,300 infections less than a week ago. And in more bad news, Jacksonville – where the GOP convention is slated to be held next month – is the fastest-growing metro area in the nation for coronavirus cases, followed by the Orlando and Tampa metro areas, according to an analysis based on data from Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement The bring the state’s total to 169,106, with 67 new fatalities raising the death toll to 3,617. During a...WW…

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners, with approval from the Florida Supreme Court, canceled the July in-person Florida Bar Examination and instead will administer an online test in August. The exam will now take place Aug. 18., according to a Wednesday announcement from the Board of Bar Examiners. The announcement did not explicitly state why the change was made or discuss the health concerns raised by upcoming test-takers and legal professionals. Advertisement The exam was previously scheduled for July 28 and 29 at the Orange County Convention Center and Tampa Convention Center. Recent law...…The Florida Board of Bar Examiners, with approval from the Florida Supreme Court, canceled the July in-person Florida Bar Examination and instead will administer an online test in August. The exam will now take place Aug. 18., according to a Wednesday announcement from the Board of Bar Examiners. The announcement did not explicitly state why the change was made or discuss the health concerns raised by upcoming test-takers and legal professionals. Advertisement The exam was previously scheduled for July 28 and 29 at the Orange County Convention Center and Tampa Convention Center. Recent law...WW…

Sin distinción entre visitantes y residentes, el gobierno de Puerto Rico exigirá que toda persona que llegue a la Isla del Encanto presente una prueba molecular negativa de coronavirus a su llegada. “Si quieres ir a Puerto Rico tienes que ir con una prueba negativa de COVID-19”, advirtió la gobernadora Wanda Vázquez Garced durante una conferencia de prensa realizada en el Aeropuerto Luis Muñoz Marín, el único aeropuerto en la Isla que actualmente está recibiendo aviones con pasajeros. Advertisement La nueva norma entrará en efecto el 15 de julio. Esta establecerá que cada pasajero debe...…Sin distinción entre visitantes y residentes, el gobierno de Puerto Rico exigirá que toda persona que llegue a la Isla del Encanto presente una prueba molecular negativa de coronavirus a su llegada. “Si quieres ir a Puerto Rico tienes que ir con una prueba negativa de COVID-19”, advirtió la gobernadora Wanda Vázquez Garced durante una conferencia de prensa realizada en el Aeropuerto Luis Muñoz Marín, el único aeropuerto en la Isla que actualmente está recibiendo aviones con pasajeros. Advertisement La nueva norma entrará en efecto el 15 de julio. Esta establecerá que cada pasajero debe...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t answer when a reporter asked Tuesday whether he would extend the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures Hours after the dodging the question, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday night extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until Aug. 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came in the form of an executive order after 8 p.m. and without comment. Advertisement The moratorium, ordered by the governor on April 2, was scheduled to end at midnight Tuesday. Without it, thousands of Floridians would have faced becoming homeless within days because...…Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t answer when a reporter asked Tuesday whether he would extend the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures Hours after the dodging the question, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday night extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until Aug. 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came in the form of an executive order after 8 p.m. and without comment. Advertisement The moratorium, ordered by the governor on April 2, was scheduled to end at midnight Tuesday. Without it, thousands of Floridians would have faced becoming homeless within days because...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed into law Tuesday bills requiring parental consent for a minor to get an abortion and another that mandates governments and some businesses use E-Verify to check the immigration status of their workers. The governor’s signature on two of the most controversial bills of the 2020 legislative session came without any comment or announcement. The news came after lawmakers who witnessed the signings went public. Advertisement The Florida Supreme Court struck down a similar abortion law that required parental consent in 1989, but the newly conservative majority on...…Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed into law Tuesday bills requiring parental consent for a minor to get an abortion and another that mandates governments and some businesses use E-Verify to check the immigration status of their workers. The governor’s signature on two of the most controversial bills of the 2020 legislative session came without any comment or announcement. The news came after lawmakers who witnessed the signings went public. Advertisement The Florida Supreme Court struck down a similar abortion law that required parental consent in 1989, but the newly conservative majority on...WW…

TALLAHASSEE — Arguing that Florida’s case was “built on rhetoric and not on facts,” Georgia is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject arguments by the Sunshine State in a long-running battle about divvying up water from a river system. Georgia attorneys on Friday asked the Supreme Court to deny Florida’s request for an order that could lead to more water flowing south into the Panhandle’s Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay. A special master appointed by the Supreme Court sided with Georgia in December, but justices will have final say. Advertisement The dispute involves water in the...…TALLAHASSEE — Arguing that Florida’s case was “built on rhetoric and not on facts,” Georgia is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject arguments by the Sunshine State in a long-running battle about divvying up water from a river system. Georgia attorneys on Friday asked the Supreme Court to deny Florida’s request for an order that could lead to more water flowing south into the Panhandle’s Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay. A special master appointed by the Supreme Court sided with Georgia in December, but justices will have final say. Advertisement The dispute involves water in the...WW…

With no end in sight to the coronavirus lockdown at Florida’s senior-care facilities, family members and their advocates are pleading with Gov. Ron DeSantis to find a safe way to allow limited, in-person visits with loved ones — as 17 other states have already announced plans to do. The move is critical to keep the emotional well-being of elderly, frail residents from deteriorating further, supporters claim. Advertisement “This has been hell. Pure hell,” said Jeanine Pomeroy of Oviedo, who wrote to the governor’s office recently after the memory-care center housing her 86-year-old husband,...…With no end in sight to the coronavirus lockdown at Florida’s senior-care facilities, family members and their advocates are pleading with Gov. Ron DeSantis to find a safe way to allow limited, in-person visits with loved ones — as 17 other states have already announced plans to do. The move is critical to keep the emotional well-being of elderly, frail residents from deteriorating further, supporters claim. Advertisement “This has been hell. Pure hell,” said Jeanine Pomeroy of Oviedo, who wrote to the governor’s office recently after the memory-care center housing her 86-year-old husband,...WW…

Florida will give out $240 million in federal CARES Act money to help families struggling to pay rent and mortgages amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Orange County is likely to get a good chunk of the money. Half, $120 million, will be assigned to counties to hand out to residents for rental and homeowner assistance programs. Advertisement Orange County’s Individual and Family Assistance Program was overwhelmed by demand this month forcing an application portal to close minutes after it opened. The county, which tweaked its application process after two failed starts, is reviewing over...…Florida will give out $240 million in federal CARES Act money to help families struggling to pay rent and mortgages amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Orange County is likely to get a good chunk of the money. Half, $120 million, will be assigned to counties to hand out to residents for rental and homeowner assistance programs. Advertisement Orange County’s Individual and Family Assistance Program was overwhelmed by demand this month forcing an application portal to close minutes after it opened. The county, which tweaked its application process after two failed starts, is reviewing over...WW…

The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days ea Florida reported 8,530 new coronavirus cases Sunday, continuing a streak of soaring numbers for reported COVID-19 infections. The state hit a record for a single-day increase with Saturday’s 9,585 new reported cases. The second highest day was Friday, with 8,942, followed by today’s report. Advertisement The state health department has now registered a total of 141,075 positive cases since the outbreak began. The death toll is...…The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days ea Florida reported 8,530 new coronavirus cases Sunday, continuing a streak of soaring numbers for reported COVID-19 infections. The state hit a record for a single-day increase with Saturday’s 9,585 new reported cases. The second highest day was Friday, with 8,942, followed by today’s report. Advertisement The state health department has now registered a total of 141,075 positive cases since the outbreak began. The death toll is...WW…

Two days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to end DACA, which gives legal protections to young immigrants, Venezuelan native Vanessa Barrios watched from Orlando as he told supporters at a Tulsa, Okla., rally that he would try again. Trump’s remarks felt like a “slap to the face,” said Barrios, a UCF student who came to Florida as a toddler with her parents and older siblings. “It’s really just invalidating my existence in this country. I grew up here.” Advertisement Barrios is one of about 25,000 immigrants in the state — 700,000 nationwide —...…Two days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to end DACA, which gives legal protections to young immigrants, Venezuelan native Vanessa Barrios watched from Orlando as he told supporters at a Tulsa, Okla., rally that he would try again. Trump’s remarks felt like a “slap to the face,” said Barrios, a UCF student who came to Florida as a toddler with her parents and older siblings. “It’s really just invalidating my existence in this country. I grew up here.” Advertisement Barrios is one of about 25,000 immigrants in the state — 700,000 nationwide —...WW…

The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days ea The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days earlier. The state also is shutting down on-site alcohol consumption at bars, according to Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears. Advertisement The update that comes at 11 a.m. and details cases from the previous day, showed the...…The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days ea The Florida Department of Health reported 8,942 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous daily high for positive COVID-19 infections made just two days earlier. The state also is shutting down on-site alcohol consumption at bars, according to Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears. Advertisement The update that comes at 11 a.m. and details cases from the previous day, showed the...WW…

Rising mortgage delinquency rates in Florida are raising fears that the coronavirus pandemic will lead to a foreclosure crisis as bad if not worse than the one that followed the 2008 housing crash. Some experts are optimistic that far fewer homeowners will lose their homes to foreclosure if effective treatments and a vaccine are developed by early next year. Others see historically high unemployment rates leading to a , plummeting home prices and economic misery. Advertisement A new report by real estate data analytics firm Black Knight contains a sobering statistic: The percentage of...…Rising mortgage delinquency rates in Florida are raising fears that the coronavirus pandemic will lead to a foreclosure crisis as bad if not worse than the one that followed the 2008 housing crash. Some experts are optimistic that far fewer homeowners will lose their homes to foreclosure if effective treatments and a vaccine are developed by early next year. Others see historically high unemployment rates leading to a , plummeting home prices and economic misery. Advertisement A new report by real estate data analytics firm Black Knight contains a sobering statistic: The percentage of...WW…

Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has brought back 60,000 of about 150,000 furloughed restaurant workers as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. At least another 40,000 restaurant workers are expected to return to work as business continues to improve, CEO Gene Lee said Thursday. Advertisement “The investment that we made with and paying their benefits, has really paid off,” Lee said during an earnings call. “We’ve had very little problem bringing our people back to work. ... Depending on the brand, we’re anywhere between 50 and 70% of the initial workforce coming back.” Darden — which...…Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has brought back 60,000 of about 150,000 furloughed restaurant workers as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. At least another 40,000 restaurant workers are expected to return to work as business continues to improve, CEO Gene Lee said Thursday. Advertisement “The investment that we made with and paying their benefits, has really paid off,” Lee said during an earnings call. “We’ve had very little problem bringing our people back to work. ... Depending on the brand, we’re anywhere between 50 and 70% of the initial workforce coming back.” Darden — which...WW…

Amid outcries over Florida’s beleaguered unemployment system and the debate over COVID-19 shutdowns and reopening, Gov. Ron DeSantis could always point to one thing: his state’s relatively low infection numbers. One conservative magazine wrote in May, when the state seemed to have avoided the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, “” Advertisement Then the daily positive numbers started to tick up. . Now the Republican governor is fighting the perception that Florida is a state heading in the wrong direction, just as it prepares to host the return of professional sports. Advertisement “With...…Amid outcries over Florida’s beleaguered unemployment system and the debate over COVID-19 shutdowns and reopening, Gov. Ron DeSantis could always point to one thing: his state’s relatively low infection numbers. One conservative magazine wrote in May, when the state seemed to have avoided the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, “” Advertisement Then the daily positive numbers started to tick up. . Now the Republican governor is fighting the perception that Florida is a state heading in the wrong direction, just as it prepares to host the return of professional sports. Advertisement “With...WW…