DeSantis Defends Back-To-School Plan
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The governor is accused of lying about the state's response to the coronavirus. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Orlando yesterday where he was met by protesters. They shouted that he was lying to the public about how safe it is to return to the classroom. DeSantis says reopening schools gives parents the maximum amount of choices to make the best decision they can.
Osceola County Commissioner Arrested
(Kissimmee, FL) -- An Osceola County official is facing criminal charges. District 5 Commissioner Fred Hawkins, Jr. was arrested yesterday for allegedly impersonating a member of the sheriff's office. The FDLE says Hawkins falsely claimed to be with the sheriff's office so he could enter an HOA election in Winter Park last year. The 53-year-old is running for a state House seat, and his campaign spokesperson calls the arrest an orchestrated witch hunt to take out the Republican frontrunner.
Reward Increases For Info On Frostproof Murder
(Bartow, FL) -- Efforts are being stepped up to solve a triple homicide in Polk County. The reward for information on the deaths of three fishing buddies in Frostproof last week was raised yesterday to 30-thousand dollars. The three were beaten and shot to death near Lake Street but no arrest has been made and there's no word on a motive. Sheriff Grady Judd says there may be more than one attacker.
Osceola County To Impose Fines For Mask Violators
(Kissimmee, FL) -- Osceola County is putting some teeth into its mask policy. The county commission voted yesterday to impose fines on those who don't wear a face covering in public. The first offense comes with a warning, but fines of up to 50 dollars are possible for repeat offenders. Exceptions are allowed for those with medical issues.
Miami Hands Out Dozens Of Citations Over Mask Policy
(Miami, FL) -- Miami is cracking down on those who don't follow its mask policy. The city requires people to wear a mask in public, and first offenders initially only got a warning. Police, though, started fining first offenders yesterday, and police say more than 50 citations have been issued. Police Commander Freddie Cruz tells CBS 4 News enforcement is the only way to control the virus.
FHSAA Rejects Changing Fall Sports Calendar
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Fall high school sports in Florida can go on as planned. The FHSAA voted last night to keep the fall sports season on track with a July 27th start date, but schools can decide to start later if they wish. Plant High School Athletic Director Lauren Otero voted against the plan because it calls for schools to stop play by December 12th. She says she preferred a plan that allowed schools that start the season late to keep playing into next year.
Italian Police Find Cocaine In Hollowed Out Coffee Beans
(Italy) -- Police in Italy are seizing coffee beans that were meant to serve a different purpose. Authorities say they obtained an over four-pound batch of coffee beans that were cut out and filled with 130-grams of cocaine. CNN reports police in customs were suspicious of a package from Colombia that was addressed to Santino D'Antonio, who is a fictional mob boss from "John Wick: Chapter 2." After tracking the cargo, police arrested a 50-year-old man in Florence.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, Donald Trump accepted his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
2011, Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on this date marking the end of the final mission of NASA's 30-year space program. The shuttle had just completed a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.
1969, "moonwalking" astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin blasted off from the moon to begin their journey back to Earth.
1961, Captain Gus Grissom became the second American to sub-orbit around the Earth flying aboard the "Liberty Bell Seven."
1925, the John T. Scopes "Monkey Trial" ended in the Dayton, Tennessee. Scopes was convicted of violating state law by teaching Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution. His conviction was later overturned.
1861, the Confederates held off the Union troops in the Battle of Bull Run Creek at Manassas Junction, Virginia. It was the first major battle of the American Civil War.