NewsNight

The James Webb Space Telescope promises to uncover more about the early moments of the universe and study exoplanets that could potentially harbor life. Plus, a look ahead at the year in space exploration as Central Florida prepares for the long-awaited launch of NASA’s massive SLS rocket.

As the busy holiday travel season draws to a close, Florida sees record COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. The state’s surgeon general says people should stop relying on testing as a way to plan their lives, and criticizes the federal government over monoclonal antibody supplies, Plus, students return to class as local school districts take steps to try to prevent infections.

As Governor DeSantis pledges more money to tackle the state's affordable housing crisis, can the extra spending help keep Central Floridians in their homes as prices and rents continue to climb? And should Florida agencies be able to remove undocumented immigrants from the state?

Governor DeSantis criticizes the Biden administration over its plans to contain the spread of the Omicron variant, including a tweak to the rules for international tourists visiting the U.S., as COVID-19 cases climb in other states. Plus, a look at some of the new laws that could be passed in Florida in 2022.

A new Florida chief resilience officer is appointed to head the state’s climate change mitigation efforts. But without a statewide clean energy plan, is Florida’s long-term resilience strategy sustainable? And the Governor pledges more than $50 million dollars to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon as manatees die in Florida in record numbers.

Central Florida arts organizations have been among the hardest-hit groups in the pandemic, with many events postponed or canceled since the start of 2020. But as COVID-19 cases fall in our region, how is our local creative industry faring?

Central Florida State Senator Linda Stewart is pushing for lawmakers to pass a 'Miya's Law’ to tighten up safety protocols at apartment complexes following the death of 19-year-old Valencia College student Miya Marcano. And the Florida Senate releases its first draft redistricting maps. The panel looks at the potential impacts for our region.

Governor DeSantis unveils proposals for voting legislation, including the establishment of an Office of Election Crimes and Security. And Florida joins a lawsuit against the federal vaccine mandate for businesses. Plus, UF backs down over allowing professors to be paid for working on cases against the state. What does the controversy tell us about academic freedom in Florida’s state universities?

NewsNight’s Steve Mort talks with Democratic and Republican lawmakers from Central Florida about the Special Session that starts on Monday and the Governor’s push for new voting legislation. Plus, the union that represents Florida university professors talks about the conflict of interest controversy at UF.

As the United States prepares to welcome International tourists back with new across-the-board travel rules for overseas visitors, NewsNight looks at the potential economic impact of the move on Central Florida’s hospitality industry. Plus, with tourism set to grow faster as the delta surge ends, are local businesses able to meet customer demand?