DeSantis Sees 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel'
(Tampa, FL) -- The governor sees reason for optimism amidst the pandemic. Governor Ron DeSantis visited Tampa General Hospital yesterday. He said he sees a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the coronavirus, and he'll soon announce plans to reopen. DeSantis, though, says the reopening will be a slow and steady process.
Miami-Dade, Broward Counties To Begin Reopening
(Miami, FL) -- Steps are being taken to reopen Southeast Florida. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Broward Mayor Dale Holness both announced reopening plans yesterday. Golf courses, marinas and parks will open tomorrow, but social distancing guidelines will still be in effect.
Suarez Not Ready To Reopen Miami
(Miami, FL) -- The city hardest hit by the coronavirus is not ready to reopen. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced yesterday the city's public spaces will remain closed even as county parks open tomorrow. He says when the city reopens it will be a gradual change, and social distancing will still be required. Miami leads all Florida cities with over 71-hundred COVID-19 cases.
Deputy In Brevard County Tests Positive For Coronavirus
(Titusville, FL) -- The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is dealing with another coronavirus infection. Sheriff Wayne Ivey revealed last week that a deputy at the county jail in Sharpes has tested positive. This is the second deputy to test positive for COVID-19, but no inmates have been infected. The deputy last worked nine days ago.
Jacksonville Approves Relief Package
(Jacksonville, FL) -- The Jacksonville City Council yesterday passed a 159-million-dollar relief package for 40-thousand households. Those who have lost at least a quarter of their wages since the statewide shutdown are eligible for one-thousand dollars. Applications will be accepted next week.
Many Unemployed Declared Ineligible For Benefits
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Those struggling to get unemployment benefits are facing another setback. The Department of Economic Opportunity revealed yesterday that 40-percent of those who filed for benefits, or about half-a-million people, were declared ineligible. They can appeal the decision. The DEO also announced 47-percent of those who have applied have received benefits.
Florida Student Accepted by All Eight Ivy League Universities
(Jacksonville, FL) -- A Florida high school senior is being praised for earning acceptance to all eight Ivy League schools across the U.S. Jacksonville native Craig McFarland was accepted to Yale University first back in December. After that, the other acceptances trickled in from Princeton, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Dartmouth, Cornell and Harvard. But his acceptance letters were not limited to the Ivy League, he was also accepted at 17 colleges and universities. The 18-year-old is valedictorian of his graduating class at Stanton College Preparatory School, a public school with about 15-hundred students. McFarland has a weighted GPA of 4-point-98, which is due to his interest in languages and significant course load that included classes in French, Spanish and Arabic.
Tennessee Man Wearing Gorilla Costume Arrested For Entering Wrong House
(Mt. Juliet, TN) -- A Tennessee man is facing charges after he put on a gorilla costume, entered a home in Mt. Juliet and frightened a six-year-old girl. According to reports, 31-year-old Richard Muzick put on the outfit yesterday afternoon and then walked in through the backdoor of a home. However, Muzick ran away after he scared a girl inside the house and was confronted by the homeowner. Police found Muzick nearby, where he told officers he thought it was someone else's house he was entering.
TODAY IN HISTORY, April 28th:
2019, Disney Marvel's "Avengers: Endgame" became the first film to make more than a billion dollars on opening.
2007, the cremated remains of "Star Trek" actor James Doohan were sent into space from a private launchpad in New Mexico. Doohan played "Scotty" on the long running science fiction show. He died in July 2005 at the age of 85.
1993, former North Carolina State head basketball coach Jim Valvano died of cancer at the age of 47. His Wolfpack team shocked the University of Houston's "Phi Slamma Jamma" team to win 1983 NCAA championship.
1967, heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused induction into Army. He was later stripped of his WBA and WBC crowns as a result of his actions.