Coronavirus

The number of new cases reported Saturday in the greater Tampa Bay region – 957 – also was the first time since Aug. 15 that the total of new cases in the area surpassed 900.

In a month or so, all 160 members of the Legislature are scheduled to return to Tallahassee, despite predictions that the COVID-19 pandemic could be worse than it is now. Some lawmakers say they're confident everything will be fine while others—especially those who've had the coronavirus—want to make sure safety is the top priority.

Florida and the nation saw upticks last week in first-time unemployment claims as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pummel the economy, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Leon County school board has approved a salary increase for teachers. Beginning teacher salaries will rise by almost $6000 – to $43,304 a year.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be giving $1.5 million to Florida A&M University to create a separate COVID-19 testing and processing laboratory facility for its students, faculty, and staff.

Survivors of 9/11 whose lungs were damaged by toxic, chemical-laden dust have been reporting severe symptoms from COVID-19. Tallahassee resident Christina Ray Stanton, who lived in Manhattan during 9/11, is one of them.

The Senate will pay $200 hourly to the hospital for providing services – and an increased rate of nearly $270 per hour for “physician-specific” services.

Former Florida State University and hall of fame football coach Bobby Bowden says he’s tested positive for the coronavirus. The 91-year-old has told other media outlets he believes he contracted the virus during a recent hospital stay over a leg infection.

Florida shut down school and college campuses in March, with students shifted to online learning. DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran have pushed heavily to reopen classrooms for the new school year.

Leon County Commissioners are giving fall youth sports the go-ahead, but with a few new rules in place.