Astronauts To Launch Again From US Soil
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- The coronavirus is putting a bit of a damper on a historic day for two astronauts at Cape Canaveral. Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will become the first NASA astronauts to launch from a private company's spaceship today when they blast off in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. Their mission to the International Space Station also marks the first time in nine years that astronauts have launched from U.S. soil, but because of COVID-19 crowds aren't allowed to watch the launch at Kennedy Space Center. Hurley says it's disappointing his family and friends won't be there, but having a closed launch is the right thing to do.
Jim Banke joins us for pre-launch coverage in today’s am hour of Bill Mick LIVE and will rejoin us for the launch, scheduled for 4:33 this afternoon on WMMB.
Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting In Orange County
(Orlando, FL) -- A woman is dead after a deputy-involved shooting in Orange County. It happened yesterday afternoon in Avalon Park on Fountain Coin Loop. Sheriff John Mina says deputies responded to the woman's home to follow up on a complaint that she hit a man, and two deputies shot at the woman when she allegedly pointed a gun at them. The 42-year-old woman was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Governor DeSantis To Appeal Ruling On Ex-Felons Voting
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis plans to appeal a ruling by a federal judge which would allow Florida's ex-felons to vote, without paying all fees. The court said it's unconstitutional for the state to require ex-felons to pay unaffordable court fees, fines, and restitution in order to vote. But the judge did rule, ex-felons can be forced to repay costs they can afford before casting ballots. This battle in Florida has been going on since 2018, when voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow ex-felons to vote.
Governor DeSantis: Miami, Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville Would Welcome Republican Convention
(Miami, FL) -- Florida is ready to host the Republican National Convention if it's moved out of North Carolina. Governor Ron DeSantis says he would welcome the RNC to the Sunshine State, and a number of Florida cities could host the event. Those cities include Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. President Trump has said he wants the convention moved out of Charlotte if there are restrictions on attendance.
Hurricane Supply Tax Holiday Starts Friday
(Undated) -- With the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season starting next week, Floridians can soon get storm related supplies tax-free. From this Friday through next Thursday no taxes will be charged for items like flashlights, batteries, coolers, radios and generators. Forecasters are calling for an above average hurricane season.
Volusia County Council Discusses Closing Beaches To Outsiders
(DeLand, FL) -- Large crowds at beaches are prompting Volusia County officials to contemplate extreme action. Councilwoman Deb Denys yesterday proposed closing the county's beaches to anyone from outside Volusia. She says residents are concerned visitors gathering in large crowds could cause a spike in coronavirus cases, but she pulled back her proposal for a lack of support. Meanwhile, the council voted to disburse 15 million dollars in federal CARES Act money to its cities.
Disney And SeaWorld To Present Reopening Plans
(Orlando, FL) -- Two major theme parks could move closer today to reopening. Walt Disney World and SeaWorld will present plans this morning to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. Those plans will detail when the parks hope to open and what precautions they'll take. Universal Orlando has already been approved to open to the public June Fifth.
Florida Police: Naked Man Vandalized Local High School
(Miami, FL) -- Police in South Florida say they are looking for a man who vandalized a local high school while naked. The unidentified suspect, who was caught on camera, reportedly broke into Miramar High School and used the entire day to do damage to the property while completely nude. Police say he caused more than 800-thousand dollars in damages. Authorities have not determined a motive either. Up to three-thousand dollars is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Swiss Sex Workers Draft Coronavirus Guidelines
(Switzerland) -- A group of sex workers in Switzerland are proposing health guidelines for their industry in hopes the nation will lift a pandemic ban on prostitution. The organization helped draft a plan calling for the reopening of sex work after more than two months. The bill includes measures such as the strict use of non-facing positions only to reduce the spread of the coronavirus from face-to-face interaction. Other guidelines include airing out rooms, cleaning bed sheets, wearing face masks and limiting hookups to 15 minutes each.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, Doctor Henry Heimlich [[ HYM-lick ]] used the maneuver he invented to save a woman for the first time. While he's demonstrated the technique numerous times in his life, this was the first time the 96-year-old had actually performed it on someone who was choking.
1995, actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed when he was thrown from a horse while competing in a jumping event in Virginia.
1937, the Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County, California opened to the public for the first time.
1647, the first recorded American execution of a so-called witch, a hanging, took place in Salem, Massachusetts.