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What you need to know about Florida today
Florida must delay reopening of public schools, lawsuit says
A lawsuit was filed in Orange County on Sunday against Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials to prevent the upcoming reopening of public schools over concerns that students and teachers would be put at risk of catching the coronavirus. The suit alleges that school districts have limited resources and won’t be able to safely transport kids to school, provide enough space for social distancing in classrooms and have other necessary protocols in place that are recommended by health officials to prevent the spread of the virus. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida vote-by-mail legal battle reaches settlement
On the eve of a trial slated to begin Monday, lawyers representing the state and plaintiffs in a legal battle over Florida’s vote-by-mail procedures have reached a settlement. Priorities USA, Dream Defenders and other plaintiffs have been seeking to expand the state’s vote-by-mail process, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a record number of Floridians casting ballots from home to reduce chances of being infected with the highly contagious coronavirus. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
State Economist: Predicted drop in Florida tourism is 'mind-boggling'
Members of the Florida Economic Estimating Conference wore masks and sat at socially distant lengths to assess predictions about Florida’s economy. Tourism was a big part of the discussion, with those numbers expected to stay lower than normal through the third quarter of 2020. “You have to remember that embedded in the second quarter was an overall global shutdown,” says the state’s chief economist Amy Baker, who leads the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. “So that period is setting us up to be different in this quarter relative to that quarter” in the midst of reopening. More from WUSF.
Florida is the state with the 10th worst unemployment rate recovery
WalletHub released updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most to illustrate which areas of the country have had the best recovery so far. [Source: WalletHub]
Marco Rubio touts success of Paycheck Protection Program
PPP has brought $32 billion in federal emergency loans to Florida businesses. Rubio says of the program, "It's not a bailout ... We wanted to create a bridge between the pandemic and some return to normalcy that helped as many people as possible stay connected to their job." [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FAMU mourns the death of Civil Rights giants John Lewis and the Reverend C.T. Vivian
“Their lifelong commitment to the struggle for civil rights will remain an inspiration and an example for present and future generations. "
› Florida’s famed citrus in fight for survival
Managing the citrus greening disease is a puzzle that growers and scientists are still working to solve.
› Florida company adapts drones to sanitize stadiums, venues
Upward Drone Solutions was only in business for a few months before the coronavirus pandemic hit and much of its work cleaning the exteriors of buildings dried up. Now the Pensacola Beach-based business has been operating for about two months as a sanitation company.
› As Ron DeSantis slips in Florida polls, Democratic challengers for governor are starting to emerge
Gov. Ron DeSantis entered this year as one of the country’s most popular governors. Florida Democrats could hardly lay a finger on him.
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