Nearly 1,300 hospitalized with COVID-19
The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 remained relatively flat during the past week. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data released Monday showed that 1,298 inpatients had COVID-19.
In-state tourism marketing boost sought
Money to market in-state tourism would increase under a budget proposal filed Monday by Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace. Williamson, who filed 19 separate budget requests on Monday that totaled $26 million, included a proposal for $2 million to assist the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association for its “coordinated marketing, media and events program to promote Florida tourism to residents of the state.”
Gas prices drop amid omicron variant concerns
Average gasoline prices in Florida dropped four cents during the past week and are expected to continue to fall because of concerns about how the omicron variant of the coronavirus could affect global fuel demand, according to the AAA auto club.
Injunction denied in health care vaccination fight
A divided federal appeals court Sunday rejected Florida’s request to at least temporarily block a Biden administration rule that would require health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Simpson eyes local governments, no-fault, pensions
Senate President Wilton Simpson this week backed a controversial proposal that could open local governments to more lawsuits, while also suggesting lawmakers might revisit a vetoed effort to end the state’s no-fault auto insurance system.
More than 1,300 hospitalized for COVID-19
Florida hospitals had 1,319 inpatients with COVID-19, including 239 in intensive-care units, according to data posted Thursday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
DeSantis pitches plans to bolster National Guard
Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined plans Thursday to ask lawmakers to increase funding for the Florida National Guard, as he seeks to expand the number of armories and re-establish a civilian volunteer force that would be directly under his control.
Jobless claims down in Thanksgiving week
First-time unemployment claims in Florida were at the lowest level in nearly two years during the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week.
State gets another boost in tax collections
With Gov. Ron DeSantis ready to release a 2022-2023 budget proposal next week, Florida continues raking in more tax dollars than expected.
Wrangling continues in COVID-19 records fight
A Leon County circuit judge Wednesday rejected an attempt to shield a Florida Department of Health official from testifying in a public-records case that seeks to force the state to provide COVID-19 data.