health and science

It's been a big year for the North-Florida-based medical marijuana company, Trulieve. Earlier this month, it became the nation's largest cannabis operator. Now, it's opened its 100th Florida store—and went back its roots for the occasion. WFSU spoke with Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers about navigating a still-growing industry amid a pandemic.

After the delta variant caused a surge of coronavirus patients in Florida, health officials say the number of cases is continuing to trend down. But Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, says staffing concerns remain.

The Florida Department of Health is trying to scuttle a public-records lawsuit seeking information about COVID-19, arguing that requested reports don’t exist and that the underlying data is confidential.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration has asked an appeals court to block challenges filed by five school boards against a Department of Health rule aimed at preventing students from being forced to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state will fight vaccine mandates imposed by employers including private businesses and local governments.

Leon County commissioners are postponing a decision to require masks in all county-owned buildings. Commissioners passed up an opportunity to adopt the proposed mandate during a specially scheduled COVID-19 meeting Tuesday, and instead voted to consider the proposal during their regular meeting next week.

Florida’s Republican legislative leaders say Sunshine State lawmakers could soon consider implementing a Texas-style abortion law.

“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.

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

“With the high percentage of positivity in our community, the fact that’s it’s a more virulent, more likely to make you sicker, and it’s affecting children more, I don’t know how you can make any other decision but to mask in order to keep the kids safer and physically present in school," said pediatric critical care specialist, Dr. Thomas Truman.