Photo: iStock Editorial
Florida News That Impacts You – August 16th, 2021
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida ended last week with a new daily high for COVID-19 cases, 25,991 – with a daily trend of over 21,300 cases – however hospitalizations dropped for the first time since the summer surge began. After hospitalizations reached 16,100 late last week, that number dropped back below 16,000 as of Sunday.
- The tropics remain active with Tropical Depression Eight having formed, joining Tropical Storms Fred and Grace – however the Depression nor Grace pose a threat to Florida nor the US. Fred is set to make landfall tonight near Panama City Beach.
- The Florida Board of Education has called an emergency meeting to address the defiance of the Alachua and Broward County School Districts which are set to defy state law in mandating masks without parental choice. The meeting will take place at 4pm Tuesday. Broward’s school year begins Wednesday. Miami-Dade is finalizing their plan on Wednesday in advance of the start of their school year next week.
- The University of Florida has reversed course and will hold in-person classes with the start of the fall semester. In making the announcement, the school also announced all members of Florida’s university system will likewise have in-person classes this fall. UF’s semester starts next Monday, August 23rd.