Blaise Gainey
Lead Government Reporter/ProducerBlaise Gainey is a Multimedia Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.
Follow Blaise Gainey on Twitter: @BlaiseGainey
Email Blaise Gainey at blgainey@fsu.edu
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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans make up 22 percent of COVID-19 related deaths in Florida, while only representing 18 percent of the population. An analysis done by scholars from Yale reveals Latino’s are nearly twice as likely to die of the virus as white people. Legislators spoke to WFSU about the health disparities, along with a health professional. -
A data breach has occurred at Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity. The Department says it notified individuals that were part of the incident associated with unemployment claims. Exactly how many people are impacted has not been released.
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The coronavirus death total for those working or living in long-term care facilities in Florida rose by 30 people between Tuesday and Wednesday. Data released Wednesday shows 968 residents or staff at facilities throughout Florida have passed away due to COVID-19. Long term care facility deaths make up nearly half of Florida’s overall deaths. That number sits at 2,096.
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The US Forest Service is reopening the Springhill Motorcycle Trail and Trout Pond Recreation Area in the Apalachicola National Forest. The spaces will be open to visitors starting Thursday morning—just in time for the long weekend.
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The League of Women Voters of Florida is pressing Governor Ron DeSantis to give local elections officials more leeway. The Florida Supervisors of Elections Association sent a letter in April asking for changes. The administration has not responded.
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In a time when most graduation ceremonies have been cancelled, staff at Wewahitchka High School in Gulf County found a unique way to honor their graduates. The school partnered with Gulf Coast electric to hang banners featuring names and photos of each of the school’s 2020 graduates. The banners are hung on light poles throughout the town.
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As jobless rates skyrocket, filing for unemployment benefits in Florida can feel like a seemingly impossible task. Many filers have reported website crashes and several hours spent waiting on hold. Governor Ron DeSantis has added more workers, new servers, and made other changes to the system in an attempt to address the issues. Now as some unemployed Floridians are finalizing their applications, they’re turning their focus to another issue – getting approved for those benefits.
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While Governor Ron DeSantis is now allowing indoor seating up to 25 percent capacity at restaurants individual owners are taking different steps to make sure their employees and customers stay safe. WFSU’s Blaise Gainey spoke with restaurant owners around Tallahassee to see what they’re doing.
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Democrats in Florida are calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to accept funds from the federal government earmarked for safe and sanitary election costs. Florida is one of six states that hasn’t requested the election safety funds made available through the CARES Act.
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More businesses, and even some communities, are requiring people to wear masks. But getting ahold of one can be difficult. Now 4-H, a life skills youth organization, is teaching its members to make masks. They’ll be distributed to those in need.
