Drought vs deluge: Florida's unusual rainfall totals either too little or too much on each coast
In Florida, this year has been a tale of two states as far as rainfall totals, with the southeast coast deluged by sometimes-record rainfall and much of the Gulf coast facing a major precipitation deficit.
DeSantis argues he's top Trump alternative even as ex-president's indictment overshadows 2024 race
Republican White House candidate Ron DeSantis is plowing ahead with efforts to portray himself as his partyโs staunchest national conservative leader, even as the 2024 GOP race had been overshadowed by the federal indictment for mishandling classified documents against former President Donald Trump.
Why are volunteerism rates uneven? Florida, Wyoming explain
The share of Americans who volunteer their time to help charities build houses, serve food, do environmental cleanup, and much else has been on the decline nationwide but nowhere as sharply as in Florida, where only 16% of residents donate their free hours to local organizations, according to the latest available statistics.
Tropical storm warning for parts of Florida, Cuba, Bahamas
Much of the Florida peninsula, along with parts of Cuba and the Bahamas, are under a tropical storm warning as a system that battered Mexico moves through the Gulf of Mexico, killing at least two in Cuba and bringing threats of heavy rain and wind for the weekend.
QB debate continues as No. 13 Florida routs USF 42-20
No. 13 Florida tuned up for the start of Southeastern Conference play with a 42-20 rout of overmatched South Florida that did little to answer the question of whether starter Emory Jones or backup Anthony Richardson is best suited to run the Gators offense.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says โthere are no lockdowns in Floridaโ
Ron DeSantis said that Florida will not be locked down because of the coronavirus. Ron DeSantis press conference below.) โLet me just tell you, there are no lockdowns in Florida. If you want to come to Bike Week come to Bike Week; if you donโt, donโt come,โ DeSantis said, referring to the expected 300,000 people to the annual rally who are expected to descend on Daytona Beach, Fla., this week. DeSantisโ messaging is troubling to officials in South Florida who are concerned about Spring Break activities becoming a series of super spreader events that will drive up positivity rates.
Venezuelans overjoyed by US temporary residency opportunity
But their life may change drastically this year after the decision of President Joe Bidenโs administration to offer temporary legal residency to several hundred thousand Venezuelans who fled their countryโs humanitarian crisis. โAs long as someone does not have a significant criminal record, itโs a pretty straightforward application, and I would expect nearly all to be approved,โ Kagan said referring to the temporary protected status program. Gustavo Acosta cheered loudly upon learning that the Biden government had ordered temporary protected status for Venezuelans. Republicans in recent days had urged the Biden administration to formalize Trumpโs executive order, but the temporary protected status issued Monday provides immigrants a more formal status that cannot be as easily reversed. โI feel happy, not only for me but for all the Venezuelans who are here.โ___Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.
The Latest: Ontario seniors won't get AstraZeneca vaccine
The administration is invoking the Defense Production Act, a wartime measure that gives the federal government authority to direct private companies to meet the needs of the national defense, to equip two Merck facilities to produce the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AdBiden said Johnson & Johnson will operate 24/7 to produce the vaccine. Tom Wolf said Tuesday that teachers will receive doses of the newly approved one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, under a plan his administration will release. AdHe gave few details, but said he and a bipartisan legislative task force agreed that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should be set aside for teachers and then other workers considered to be essential, but who are not included in the first vaccination phase. States are receiving 2.8 million doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.
Pythons, iguanas: Florida restricts some exotic reptiles
Florida is moving to restrict 16 invasive reptile species that have wreaked havoc in the Everglades and across the state. โBreeding invasive species in Florida is like playing with matches in a tinder box,โ said Julie Wraithmell, vice president and executive director of Audubon Florida. โI'm very sensitive to the people in the pet trade and enthusiasts,โ said Robert Spottswood, a member of the Florida commission. โBut this action is a result of the invasive species that continue to get in the wild. Some kill native Florida wildlife as well as pets, while others dig burrows and become a threat to human constructions such as manmade fountains and gardens.
The Latest: Memphis-Houston men's basketball game postponed
Now their first scheduled game with Houston has been added to the postponement list. ___The Big 12 has announced the reschedule dates for nine womenโs basketball games postponed this season because of COVID-19 protocols. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Thursday that Louisville's men's basketball game at Virginia Tech scheduled for Saturday has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Ad___Saturdayโs men's basketball game between Texas A&M and Florida has been postponed due to COVID-19. It's the third straight Florida men's game affected by the coronavirus.
No. 14 South Florida on pause due to coronavirus issues
The 14th-ranked Bulls were put on pause because of COVID-19 issues on Jan. 21, 2021 when a Tier I member in the women's basketball program tested positive. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)It's been a rough few weeks for Jose Fernandez and his South Florida team. The 14th-ranked Bulls were put on pause because of COVID-19 issues within the women's basketball program on Jan. 21. Youโre risking soft tissue injuries if you come back right away.โThis pause came a few days after the Bulls were awarded a rare forfeit win over Memphis. AdSo, South Floridaโs only game in the conference standings since Jan. 13 was the forfeit win over Memphis.
FBI: 2 agents killed, 3 wounded, suspect dead in Florida
Two of the wounded agents were taken to hospitals to be treated and were in stable condition, said Miami FBI Agent Michael D. Leverock. Based on a preliminary investigation, federal officials believe the suspect fatally shot himself, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter. AdThe FBI agents had come to the apartment complex to serve a federal search warrant in connection with a case involving child pornography and violent crimes against children, according to Leverock and FBI Agents Association President Brian OโHare. Law enforcement officials from numerous agencies lined up to pay their respects as a flag-covered body was removed from the vehicle and taken inside. Five other FBI agents were wounded in that shooting, which led the bureau to upgrade the weapons that agents carry.
Florida eye doctor gets clemency from Trump in health fraud
He was convicted in April 2017 on 67 counts, including health care fraud, submitting false claims and falsifying patient records. A White House statement credited Menendez with supporting clemency for Melgen, who was a donor to Democratic politicians and a longtime friend of the Cuban-American New Jersey senator. In a statement of his own, Menendez said he did very little on Melgenโs behalf and did not expect the clemency decision from Trump. โI donโt pretend to know what motivates President Trump to act, but I am pretty sure itโs not me,โ Menendez said. A federal jury in New Jersey failed to reach a verdict on charges that Melgen used his relationship to bribe Menendez.
Police: Man in custody in Virginia after Florida kidnapping
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. โ Police say a man wanted in the weekend kidnapping of a South Florida family is now in custody in Alexandria, Virginia. Pemboke Pines police said in a social media post that 37-year-old Jaddier T. Sanchez was taken into custody early Monday. They say the 18-year-old woman he is accused of kidnapping was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The incident began early Sunday morning, when Sanchez confronted the woman and her parents as they returned to their home. Police say he drove them to several banks to get cash from ATMs.
Florida downplays reports of medical tourism for vaccines
State officials have moved quickly to disavow such scuttlebutt. Ron DeSantis said stories of people flying to Florida, getting vaccinated and returning home are overblown. โWe are seeing lines all across the state of Florida. She praised Florida officials for allowing outsiders to get shots. This has nothing to do with where youโre from.โ___Lush reported from St. Petersburg, Florida, and Calvan from Tallahassee, Florida.
The Latest: Browns coach Kevin Stefanski expected back soon
3 UConn after Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Browns coach Kevin Stefanski expects to be back with his team this week after missing Sunday nightโs playoff win over Pittsburgh with COVID-19. Stefanski tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week and had to watch Clevelandโs 48-37 victory over the Steelers from his homeโs basement. ___The Baylor womenโs basketball team has had another game postponed because of COVID-19 issues. Coach Kim Mulkey missed that game after being exposed at Christmas to a family member who tested positive for the virus.
Mulkey positive for COVID-19, UConn-Baylor women's game off
Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey is shown during the second half of an NCAA women's college basketball game against South Florida Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. No. 3 UConn after Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey tested positive for COVID-19. 3 UConn after Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey tested positive for COVID-19. Baylor said it began restricting team activities after Mulkey tested positive on Monday, the same day she had been planning to rejoin the team. Auriemma said he and Louisville coach Jeff Walz have talked the last couple of weeks about finding a time to play each other.
Officials: Evidence of UK virus strain found in Florida man
MIAMI โ Florida health authorities late Thursday reported finding evidence of the latest U.S. case of the new and apparently more contagious coronavirus strain first seen in England, saying it was detected in a man with no recent travel history. The health department did not give further details, such as releasing the man's medical condition or how the strain was detected. California on Wednesday became the second state to confirm a case of the new virus strain. Also Thursday, state officials reported the highest daily jump in COVID-19 cases ever detected in Florida. The stateโs Department of Health reported 17,192 new cases and 133 new deaths, raising the toll to 21,857.
Look out! Florida forecasters warn of falling iguanas Christmas morning
As the coldest temperatures in two years moved into South Florida, cold-stunned iguanas like this one are a sight to be seen, Jan. 22, 2020, in Dania Beach, Florida. That has forecasters at the National Weather Service in Miami warning of possible falling iguanas. Itโs also something that has been observed over the years in south Florida. Falling iguanas will be possible Christmas morning in parts of FloridaWhile this kind of behavior has been documented before, it is far from normal. Part of that could have to do with how infrequent temperatures drop to this level in South Florida.
Women plead guilty in sex sting involving Patriots owner
Lei Wang, 41, and Shen Mingbi, 60, each pleaded guilty in Palm Beach County circuit court to one count of soliciting another to commit prostitution, records show. Kraft had pleaded not guilty but issued a public apology for his actions. Hua Zhang, 59, pleaded guilty last month to two misdemeanors. Lei Chen, 45, pleaded guilty to eight counts of offering to commit prostitution in February. Police say the recordings show Kraft and other men engaging in sex acts with women and paying them.
Bloomberg's big spending struggles to sway election outcomes
His only win during a short-lived Democratic bid for the White House was in the territory of American Samoa. Yet after dumping $1.1 billion into his campaign, he waited until September to follow through on his vow to spend big to unseat Trump. The showing could raise questions about Bloomberg's ability to use his vast financial resources to sway politics in the future. Bloomberg advisers say it's unfair to blame him for not doing enough to help Biden in Florida. Democrats lost seats in the House on Election Day and failed to flip statehouse chambers they had targeted.
Eta races off to sea from Carolinas after soaking Florida
That came amid a combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico being carried up by a cold front that had pushed Eta across Florida earlier. Earlier Thursday, Eta was in the Gulf of Mexico when it slogged ashore near Cedar Key, Florida. It then moved northeast across Florida in a matter of hours before crossing over into the Atlantic, forecasters said. Before that first brush with Florida, Eta first hit Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane and killed at least 120 people in Central America and Mexico, with scores more missing. A 29th named system, Tropical Storm Theta, was centered early Friday about 445 miles (715 kilometers) south-southeast of the Azores and moving east.
Tropical Storm Eta races off Carolinas after soaking Florida
One death in Florida was linked to the storm, along with some scattered flooding and forecasters said the tropical storm was on a path offshore of South Carolina that would eventually take it further out to sea. That came amid a combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico being carried up by a cold front that had pushed Eta across Florida earlier. Earlier Thursday, Eta was in the Gulf of Mexico when it slogged ashore near Cedar Key, Florida. Before that first brush with Florida, Eta first hit Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane and killed at least 120 people in Central America and Mexico, with scores more missing. A 29th named system, Tropical Storm Theta, was centered late Thursday about 440 miles (705 kilometers) south of the Azores and moving east.
Eta remains a tropical storm as Florida prepares for 2nd hit
Residents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses. Subsequently, a tropical storm warning was issued for the same general area. The storm has been in the Gulf of Mexico since crossing over South Florida on Sunday. Ron DeSantis issued an expanded emergency declaration to include 13 counties along or near the Gulf coast, adding them to South Florida counties.
Report sounds an alarm on ongoing decline of US coral reefs
โThe economic impacts of coral reefs in the United States are around $3.4 billion annually. There's an immense population of people living in close proximity to those reefs," said Jennifer Koss, the director of NOAAโs coral reef conservation program. โClimate change is the single biggest threat to shallow water coral reefs in the U.S. and worldwide," said Kelsey of the University of Maryland. We hope the report starts a dialogue about the various factors and potential solutions to the threats affecting coral reefs,โ Koss said. Reefs were in American Samoa and the most remote areas of the Pacific were in โgood condition.โ Florida reefs were said to be in โimpaired" condition.
Final weeks of historic hurricane season bring new storms
Tropical Storm Eta is parked off the western coast of Cuba, dumping rain. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Theta โ which formed overnight and broke a record as the 29th named Atlantic storm of the season โ is chugging east toward Europe on the cusp of hurricane status. The system now has a 70% chance of becoming the 30th named storm. Never before have three named storms been twirling at the same time this late in the year, Klotzbach said. The overall message is that everyone in the area should pay attention to Eta, Brennan said.