These are some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. After posting more than 10,000 new diagnosed COVID cases on Sunday, the Florida Department of Health reported fewer than half that many on Monday with 4,663 cases. Still, the daily average for the past week has risen above 6,000 for the first time since mid-August.
Today is Florida's election certification day. All local election supervisors are to have reported results to the Secretary of State for certification. All recounts have been completed statewide and there are no outstanding challenges to any elections.
In other news, today also marks the state’s first official business for the 2021 Legislative session. Known as Organizational Sessions, the state’s legislature will convene to organize legislative priorities, arrange committees and select officers. The state’s Regular Session convenes March 2nd.
Lastly, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is asking for $5 million to hire 100 additional employees to assist with the processing of unemployment claims. The FDEO had previously contracted with third-party operators to attempt to process the record number of claims during the pandemic. The agency feels Floridians will be better served by employees who are hired, trained and are directly accountable to the FDEO.
Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images