Theme Parks See Stocks Drop Due To Coronavirus Scare
(Orlando, FL) -- Disney World is feeling the effects of the coronavirus. Disney stock was down yesterday, but Executive Chairman Bob Iger tried to reassure investors at an annual meeting in North Carolina. He told shareholders that Disney has weathered a lot of crises before and proved to be incredibly resilient. He gave no indication that Disney World would close because of the coronavirus.
Bike Week Visitor Tests Positive For Coronavirus
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A new coronavirus patient has ties to Volusia County. A 63-year-old New York man recently tested positive after visiting Bike Week in Daytona Beach. The Florida Department of Health says he's one of three new cases in the state and all are in isolation. The DOH says any Bike Week visitor showing symptoms should contact their county health department or health care provider and self-isolate for two weeks.
UCF To Move Classes Online Next Week
(Orlando, FL) -- The coronavirus is causing a change at UCF. Interim President Thad Seymour announced yesterday all classes will move online starting on Monday. That announcement came after the state ordered all public universities to suspend in-person instruction as soon as possible. There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases at UCF, and Seymour says the campus will remain open for essential operations.
DoD Opens STARBASE In Brevard County
(Satellite Beach, FL) -- There's a new place in Brevard County for kids to explore the wonders of science. The Defense Department this week opened the STARBASE Academy in Satellite Beach on Harrier Ave. STARBASE is a science program geared toward kids, and about 40 Sherwood Elementary students got to participate on Tuesday. STARBASE's executive director tells Florida Today the students seemed so excited to be part of such an awesome program.
PGA Plans For The Players Championship To Continue
(Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) -- Despite what it calls rapidly changing developments, the PGA Tour isn't changing its schedule. The Tour announced this morning that this week's The Players Championship will go on as planned. The PGA says it will absolutely continue to review recommendations from the CDC, WHO and local health officials.
No Fans Allowed At NCAA Tournament Games In Tampa
(Tampa, FL) -- March Madness won't be the same this year because of the coronavirus. The NCAA announced yesterday that fans, except for some family members, will be banned from all men's basketball tournament games, including those in Tampa. First and second round games will take place March 19th and 21st at Amalie Arena. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman announced yesterday the Firestone Grand Prix will still take place, starting tomorrow.
CDC Giving Florida 28-Million-Dollars For Anti-Coronavirus Efforts
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The CDC says it's giving Florida almost 28-million dollars to fight COVID-19. Today the World Health Organization declared the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic. The money is to be used to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Exactly how that will be done is not yet clear.
Uber Releases Most Unique Lost Items
(San Francisco, CA) -- Someone out there is missing Swarovski binoculars. That's one of the most unique items lost in an Uber. Others include a bubble machine, a cooler of breastmilk, cat tarot cards, stuffed elves, a pizza castle, p-b-and-j sandwich, and two boxes of cookie dough. The company released its yearly snapshot of what riders leave behind. Phone, wallet and keys top the most common items. And the most forgetful city goes to Lubbock, Texas followed by Oxford, Mississippi.
Belgian Subway Passenger Seen Licking Fingers, Rubbing Train Pole
(Belgium) -- The Internet is horrified at the behavior of one train passenger in Belgium. Videos posted to social media show the seemingly drunk man removing his mask, licking his fingers, and then rubbing them on a pole within the subway. Amid coronavirus fears, some Twitter users are warning people not to touch any transportation rails or bars. The Brussels Intercommunal Transport Co. later said the passenger was arrested by police and the subway train was decommissioned for cleaning.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, dozens were charged in the college admission scandal. Those charged included Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.
2011, NFL owners locked out players after the league and its players association failed to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement. The lockout marked the first work stoppage in the NFL since 1987.
2008, four days after reports surfaced linking him to a high priced prostitution ring, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced his resignation from office.
2003, more than nine months after she was kidnapped from the bedroom of her Salt Lake City, Utah home, 15-year-old Elizabeth Smart was reunited with her family.
2002, Houston homemaker Andrea Yates was convicted of murder in the drowning deaths of her five children in the family bathtub.She was later sentenced to life in prison.
1980, a Chicago jury found John Wayne Gacy guilty of 33 murders. He was later sentenced to death.
1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered the first of his fireside chats to America.
1894, the first bottles of Coca-Cola were sold.