Visitors from other states are returning to Northwest Florida’s beaches while the nation is still in the midst of a pandemic. The relaxation of travel restrictions and the reopening of restaurants, beaches and short term vacation rentals is luring long-time visitors back to the coast. Valere Crowder has more.
Gyms in Florida have now reopened after close to two months of closures due to COVID-19. Ryan Dailey recently got an inside look into what it’s been like for one gym to reopen with the effort to keep gym-goers safe now a primary concern.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African-Americans make up 22 percent of COVID-related deaths in Florida, while making up only 18 percent of the state’s population. An analysis done by scholars from Yale reveals Latinos are nearly twice as likely to die from the disease as non-Hispanics. Blaise Gainey spoke with legislators and a medical professional about the health disparities.
Governor Ron DeSantis is deflecting criticism for the state’s unemployment system by blaming those who apply for re-employment assistance. He says it’s up to applicants to fill out their forms correctly and says most claims brought to him by the media are from ineligible applicants. However, some ineligible people still have to go through Florida’s system to obtain federal aid, as we hear from Robbie Gaffney.
A Florida judge is allowing a third of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation’s assets to be used for victim services. Gina Jordan reports the court-appointed receiver is overseeing the finances of the organization after questionable spending by its founder and CEO.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts at the end of this month and already some weather systems have begun developing in the Atlantic with scientists predicting a busier than average season, emergency response officials are planning for how they’ll keep people safe from the storms and the coronavirus at the same time. Regan McCarthy has that.