AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelMar 31, 2021 at 8:08 amIt’s an idea that some see as a ticket back to normal: Require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to take a cruise, board a flight or attend a concert.Already, one South Florida culinary festival is incorporating vaccine status into its virus safety protocols, and New York has launched a cellphone app that can be used at entertainment and sporting venues to show digital proof of a COVID shot.AdvertisementBut these immunization credentials, commonly known as vaccine passports, could be banned in Florida before they even get...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelMar 31, 2021 at 8:08 amIt’s an idea that some see as a ticket back to normal: Require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to take a cruise, board a flight or attend a concert.Already, one South Florida culinary festival is incorporating vaccine status into its virus safety protocols, and New York has launched a cellphone app that can be used at entertainment and sporting venues to show digital proof of a COVID shot.AdvertisementBut these immunization credentials, commonly known as vaccine passports, could be banned in Florida before they even get...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelMar 06, 2021 at 7:58 pmBaptist Health on Friday disputed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ claim that his administration had nothing to do with the decision to send 1,200 COVID vaccine doses to Ocean Reef Club, the luxury Key Largo community at the center of controversy over whether the wealthy received privileged access to vaccines.The governor made the claim at a , when he slammed a that claimed the state provided special access to vaccines to an enclave that contained many wealthy campaign donors.Advertisement“That was not a site that we were involved in, in...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelMar 06, 2021 at 7:58 pmBaptist Health on Friday disputed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ claim that his administration had nothing to do with the decision to send 1,200 COVID vaccine doses to Ocean Reef Club, the luxury Key Largo community at the center of controversy over whether the wealthy received privileged access to vaccines.The governor made the claim at a , when he slammed a that claimed the state provided special access to vaccines to an enclave that contained many wealthy campaign donors.Advertisement“That was not a site that we were involved in, in...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 22, 2021 at 2:33 pmFlorida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says she won’t lower flags at state offices under her direction to honor the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said Friday he will direct flags be flown at half-staff for Limbaugh, who died of lung cancer on Wednesday at age 70.AdvertisementFried said in a statement she will not observe that directive because such an honor should “reflect unity, not division.”“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 22, 2021 at 2:33 pmFlorida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says she won’t lower flags at state offices under her direction to honor the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said Friday he will direct flags be flown at half-staff for Limbaugh, who died of lung cancer on Wednesday at age 70.AdvertisementFried said in a statement she will not observe that directive because such an honor should “reflect unity, not division.”“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 22, 2021 at 2:33 pmFlorida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says she won’t lower flags at state offices under her direction to honor the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said Friday he will direct flags be flown at half-staff for Limbaugh, who died of lung cancer on Wednesday at age 70.AdvertisementFried said in a statement she will not observe that directive because such an honor should “reflect unity, not division.”“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 22, 2021 at 2:33 pmFlorida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says she won’t lower flags at state offices under her direction to honor the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said Friday he will direct flags be flown at half-staff for Limbaugh, who died of lung cancer on Wednesday at age 70.AdvertisementFried said in a statement she will not observe that directive because such an honor should “reflect unity, not division.”“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 7:07 pmGov. Ron DeSantis defended his decision Wednesday to steer COVID-19 vaccine to a planned community with family ties to a Republican power couple, threatening to pull doses if local officials criticize his distribution methods.DeSantis is facing questions over his decision to provide seniors living in two of Manatee County’s wealthiest ZIP codes with special access to the vaccine.AdvertisementThe pop-up vaccination site is serving residents of Lakewood Ranch, a planned community in Southwest Florida with family ties to Liz and...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 7:07 pmGov. Ron DeSantis defended his decision Wednesday to steer COVID-19 vaccine to a planned community with family ties to a Republican power couple, threatening to pull doses if local officials criticize his distribution methods.DeSantis is facing questions over his decision to provide seniors living in two of Manatee County’s wealthiest ZIP codes with special access to the vaccine.AdvertisementThe pop-up vaccination site is serving residents of Lakewood Ranch, a planned community in Southwest Florida with family ties to Liz and...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelJan 21, 2021 at 1:00 pmRejecting traditions that mark the transfer of power between presidents, Donald Trump arrived at his Mar-a-Lago Club resort on Wednesday, ensconcing himself behind the walls of his Mar-a-Lago Club minutes before his term ended and Joe Biden became the commander in chief.As the nation’s leaders gathered at the Capitol, Air Force One touched down at Palm Beach International Airport, ferrying Trump to Florida for the last time as president.AdvertisementSupporters had been gathering for hours along Southern Boulevard between the...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelJan 21, 2021 at 1:00 pmRejecting traditions that mark the transfer of power between presidents, Donald Trump arrived at his Mar-a-Lago Club resort on Wednesday, ensconcing himself behind the walls of his Mar-a-Lago Club minutes before his term ended and Joe Biden became the commander in chief.As the nation’s leaders gathered at the Capitol, Air Force One touched down at Palm Beach International Airport, ferrying Trump to Florida for the last time as president.AdvertisementSupporters had been gathering for hours along Southern Boulevard between the...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelDec 09, 2020 at 7:02 pmThe state law used to justify at the home of a COVID-19 whistleblower suspected of accessing a Florida emergency messaging system without permission carries a stiff penalty: Up to five years in prison.That means Rebekah Jones, the Florida Department of Health data scientist fired in May for alleged insubordination, may be in significant legal peril should prosecutors decide to press third-degree felony charges.Advertisement“If they get her on the third degree she could get up to five years.” said Aldo Leiva, an attorney with...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelDec 09, 2020 at 7:02 pmThe state law used to justify at the home of a COVID-19 whistleblower suspected of accessing a Florida emergency messaging system without permission carries a stiff penalty: Up to five years in prison.That means Rebekah Jones, the Florida Department of Health data scientist fired in May for alleged insubordination, may be in significant legal peril should prosecutors decide to press third-degree felony charges.Advertisement“If they get her on the third degree she could get up to five years.” said Aldo Leiva, an attorney with...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelNov 20, 2020 at 3:13 pmAs Florida Democrats plot their political comeback, they are facing a tough reality: The Sunshine State is Trump country.Florida Republicans swayed Latino voters, boosted support in the state’s rural heartland and cut into the Democratic advantage in big cities.President Donald Trump and tripled his margin of victory from four years ago, carrying the state by more than 370,000 votes. Despite Trump’s loss nationally, Florida Republicans are ecstatic.“I have never been more excited and bullish about where our party is headed,”...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelNov 20, 2020 at 3:13 pmAs Florida Democrats plot their political comeback, they are facing a tough reality: The Sunshine State is Trump country.Florida Republicans swayed Latino voters, boosted support in the state’s rural heartland and cut into the Democratic advantage in big cities.President Donald Trump and tripled his margin of victory from four years ago, carrying the state by more than 370,000 votes. Despite Trump’s loss nationally, Florida Republicans are ecstatic.“I have never been more excited and bullish about where our party is headed,”...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelNov 06, 2020 at 3:57 pmGov. Ron DeSantis is endorsing President Donald Trump’s fight to hold onto his job, floating the idea that GOP-controlled legislatures in battleground states won by Democratic nominee Joe Biden could appoint Trump electors and override the popular vote.DeSantis, one of Trump’s close Republican allies, declared Thursday on Laura Ingraham’s show on Fox News he would stand with Trump as the president’s re-election chances dimmed. He urged viewers to donate to Trump’s legal fund and suggested people living in battleground states...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun SentinelNov 06, 2020 at 3:57 pmGov. Ron DeSantis is endorsing President Donald Trump’s fight to hold onto his job, floating the idea that GOP-controlled legislatures in battleground states won by Democratic nominee Joe Biden could appoint Trump electors and override the popular vote.DeSantis, one of Trump’s close Republican allies, declared Thursday on Laura Ingraham’s show on Fox News he would stand with Trump as the president’s re-election chances dimmed. He urged viewers to donate to Trump’s legal fund and suggested people living in battleground states...WW…

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelApr 16, 2021 at 7:30 amTallahassee has long been a perfect recipe for political scandal — a sexually charged state capital that can take on a frat-house-like atmosphere removed from the watchful eyes of spouses and loved ones.Now, as U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz fights to save his career, scrutiny is once again being placed on the long-standing culture of Florida’s capital city where the 38-year-old Panhandle congressman got his start in politics.AdvertisementState Rep. Anna Eskamani has been urging women involved in Florida’s male-dominated political...…AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelApr 16, 2021 at 7:30 amTallahassee has long been a perfect recipe for political scandal — a sexually charged state capital that can take on a frat-house-like atmosphere removed from the watchful eyes of spouses and loved ones.Now, as U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz fights to save his career, scrutiny is once again being placed on the long-standing culture of Florida’s capital city where the 38-year-old Panhandle congressman got his start in politics.AdvertisementState Rep. Anna Eskamani has been urging women involved in Florida’s male-dominated political...WW…