pandemic

Federal unemployment compensation ended in Florida in late June. Those checks were on top of state unemployment checks. The theory was that less money in accounts would spur workers back into the labor market. That hasn’t happened.

Pointing to a “hierarchy” that requires school districts to follow state laws and rules, the Florida Department of Health is asking a judge to toss out a challenge by six school boards to a rule that seeks to prevent student mask mandates during the pandemic.

The State Board of Education on Thursday ratcheted up discipline against eight county school boards that have maintained student mask mandates to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Any student attending TCC during the pandemic may have some of their education debt covered by the college. The funds are being made available through a federal coronavirus relief grant.

Some school districts that have imposed student mask requirements aren’t backing down, despite state threats of financial penalties and a revamped Florida Department of Health rule aimed at bolstering parental choice on masks.

About 50 educators were unable to cash $1,000 bonus checks they received from the state, Florida Department of Education officials acknowledged Friday. The agency says the state is working to correct the mistake.

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 A&M University students will get $41.5 million in tuition and fee assistance during the current academic year. The announcement brings more than $57 million to the amount FAMU will give students for debt relief and tuition help through the federal CARES Act.

A federal judge Wednesday rejected a request by parents of disabled children to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to prevent school districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.