Coronavirus

Diners are packing restaurants again and travelers are booking hotel rooms. Businesses are largely back open, but many don’t have enough employees to move their products or serve their customers.

Florida school districts with mandatory face mask policies can keep their policies for a while longer. A Leon County judge has lifted a stay on his ruling that initially blocked the state from punishing districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis' effort to block such policies.

A Leon County judge says the state cannot selectively enforce part of a law—and that the Parents Bill of Rights—which the administration has used to justify its mask ban—does NOT allow the state to issue blanket prohibitions. The ruling is likely to be appealed, but for now, school districts can keep their mask policies.

Despite the increase in demand for their services, area funeral home directors report they are doing all they can to provide timely help for families.

The pandemic and pay were top issues brought up at a town hall with Florida State University's new president Richard McCullough. He fielded questions during the event.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil is also scheduled to be on hand to meet with area residents

Leon County School Superintendent Rocky Hanna has reversed course – again – on masks. They're temporarily required for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.

“Over the last six weeks, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the number of COVID hospitalizations now exceeding over 17,000 individuals currently hospitalized for COVID," said Florida Hospital Association President Mary Mayhew.

The federal government has sent Florida more than $7 billion through the American Rescue Plan. But the state says it has the next three years to use up that money. And while officials are deciding who should get what, and what programs get funding, Democrats are urging the state to release that money now.

"School isn’t really known for its freedoms," Holmes said.