ULA Has Successful Launch
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- ULA can celebrate a successful launch. United Launch Alliance's Delta Four Heavy rocket blasted off last night from Cape Canaveral on a secret intelligence mission. It was ULA's sixth attempt at the mission, and it was the first launch to take place since the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was renamed this week. Meanwhile, SpaceX has a launch set for 11:21 this morning.
Legal Expert Says Bosses Can Require Employees Get COVID Vaccine
(Orlando, FL) -- The COVID vaccine could raise a tough question in the workplace. UCF legal expert Keri Kozlowski says employers may have the right to force their employees to get vaccinated. She says if an employer has 15 or more employees, and that employer can show a vaccine is needed for business, then they can require the vaccine. She tells Channel 9 it may be different for union employees, depending on their collective bargaining agreement, and some employees may be able to opt out for religious or medical reasons.
Hillsborough County To Crack Down On Mask Ordinance
(Tampa, FL) -- Hillsborough County will soon start cracking down on those who violate the mask ordinance. More officers will be visiting businesses starting on Monday to make sure they're in compliance. Those who still refuse to comply could be fined.
Florida Republicans Show Support For Texas Election Lawsuit
(Washington, DC) -- A South Florida Republican is joining the call to reverse the election results. Texas' attorney general recently filed a lawsuit to overturn the results in four states that went for Joe Biden, and nine Florida Republican congressmen signed an amicus brief filed yesterday in support of the lawsuit. Hialeah's Mario Diaz-Balart was one of the signees. He tells the Miami Herald he hopes the lawsuit clarifies the validity of claims made that a number of states violated the constitution in the election.
Florida Joins Most States In Facebook Suit
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida is among nearly every state in the U.S. joining together in suing Facebook. The suit accuses the social networking giant of illegally cutting services to smaller apps while buying up potential competitors. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody says Facebook's alleged stifling of competition and predatory actions are inexcusable. The suit seeks to protect the privacy of users and open up competition.
Florida Man Pays Utilities For 114 Families
(Gulf Breeze, FL) -- A Florida business owner is helping keep power on for dozens of families this holiday season. CNN reports Michael Esmond made a donation to pay the past-due bills of 114 families who faced having their utilities turned off. The sum came out to more than 76-hundred dollars. Those families will get holiday cards telling them their bills have been taken care of. Esmond, who owns a local pool company, did something similar for 36 families last year.
Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Launching Colin Kaepernick-Inspired "Change The Whirled" Flavor
(South Burlington, VT) -- Former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick is teaming up with ice cream maker Ben and Jerry's for a special ice cream flavor to raise money for black equality causes. The "Change the Whirled" flavor is described as a caramel non-dairy frozen dessert with fudge chips, graham cracker swirls and chocolate cookie swirls. The vegan ice cream will launch in 2021. The ice cream maker says the flavor is a permanent addition to their lineup. Kaepernick's portion of the money raised will go to his Know Your Rights Camp.
Voluntary Recall Issued For ED, Antidepressant Medication Mixup
(Pulaski, TN) -- Tennessee-based pharmaceutical company AvKare is issuing a voluntary recall after discovering a random product mixup. Officials say an error at a bottling facility led to 100 milligram tablets of trazodone being mixed with 100 milligram tablets of sildenafil. The former is an antidepressant, while the latter is used to treat erectile dysfunction as an active ingredient in Viagra. This means consumers could be dealing with unintended effects including erections, constipation, blurred vision, and changes in blood pressure. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the company directly during weekdays.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2000, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments from lawyers representing George W. Bush and Al Gore concerning the Florida presidential vote recount.
1991, William Kennedy Smith was acquitted of sexual assault and battery in West Palm Beach, Florida.
1961, the first American military forces arrived in Saigon to support South Vietnam's fight against Communist guerrillas.
1941, Italy and Germany declared war on the United States. In turn, the U.S. declared war on both.
1816, Indiana became the 19th state.