COVID-19 The U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention is no longer requiring states to report new infection numbers and plans to reduce reporting of COVID-19 data. The World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19 is no longer a global pandemic health emergency.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS The Senate approved 16 executive appointments on May 4th, confirming the majority of the Governor’s state agency secretaries in their current roles.
NEW COLLEGE The New College of Florida Board of Trustees recently denied tenure to five veteran faculty members whose tenure applications were approved by the previous Board. As a result, professor Matthew Lepinski quit the Board in protest of the decision.
CAPITOL PROTESTS More than a dozen people were arrested on the final day of the legislative session outside Governor DeSantis’ office. The sit-in occurred because the group wanted to talk to the governor about their concerns over policies impacting vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.
BRIGHTLINE HUB Brightline opened its new station at the Orlando International Airport on April 21st, connecting it to South Florida. Starting this summer, the train will make 16 round trips daily between the Orlando airport and Miami. Some trains will run non-stop while others will make stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, ending at Miami.