Sunrise

Florida’s Department of Health has disturbing news about COVID-19: The number of new cases went up by 60% last week, but don't worry. Ron DeSantis says those counts don't count.

Also on today’s Sunrise:

— The number of fatalities was also up by almost 44%. Those numbers do count.

— Yet, DeSantis is still pursuing his strategy of downplaying the threat and inviting tourists to come on down because Florida is open for business. Except, of course, for those 38,670 Floridians who have been killed by COVID-19.

— So, how do you encourage people to get vaccinated? FAMU President Larry Robinson is making a video appeal to students who are returning to campus. Just in case that doesn't work, FAMU will also be giving away a million dollars’ worth of merchandise for staff and students who get the shot.

— In the aftermath of the Surfside tragedy, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wants the Legislature to update condo regs and create a statewide commission to hear complaints.

— Florida’s Chief Financial Officer gets down to the business of reforming NICO (the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association). His appointment to the new board is a good sign.

— And finally, two Florida Men: One is going to the federal pen for child pornography; the other went to the hospital after showing off with a gun.

Gov. Ron DeSantis draws a line in the sand — masks will not be mandated in schools. And if the feds try to force the issue, the Governor says he'll call the Legislature back into Session to do something about it.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Meanwhile, a group of doctors in Miami says DeSantis should less time attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci and more time talking up the vaccines.

— A ceremonial signing for House Bill 3, the $200 million plan to provide free books to kids from kindergarten to the fifth grade who are having trouble reading at their grade level.

— A conversation with two lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle. First up is Republican Rep. Fiona McFarland of Tampa, followed by Democrat Sen. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens.

— And finally, a Florida Man beat up his Uber driver and carjacked his SUV.

A COVID-19 vaccination task force is calling on the state and the feds to step up their outreach in minority communities.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As hospitals in Jacksonville cope with a new wave of COVID-19 patients, Mayor Lenny Curry is calling on people to use a mask and get vaccinated, but there won't be any mandates or closings.

— Curry joined health care executives who say deaths have increased dramatically this month and there are 800 COVID-19 patients in Jacksonville hospitals. Almost all are unvaccinated.

— Pop quiz: The Governor held a news conference Wednesday. Did he talk about the 40,000 Floridians killed by COVID-19 … or fish killed by red tide?

— When asked by reporters about the doubling of COVID-19 cases over the past week in Florida, Ron DeSantis said he doesn't care much about that particular statistic.

—  And finally, a Florida Man (and Baptist youth pastor) has been busted three times in the past two months for child pornography and video voyeurism.

This latest episode of Sunrise has a bit of a celebrity feel to it … starting with Britney Spears. Congressman Charlie Crist has filed a bill that would give new legal rights to people who end up having their lives controlled by a court-ordered guardian of conservatorship; he has a Republican co-sponsor.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Spears’ court battle against her dad inspired the "FREE" bill; it would affect more than a million Americans.

— The Tampa Bay Bucs are honored at the White House for winning the Super Bowl. But President Joe Biden says this goes far beyond what they did on the football field.

— Biden dropped a couple of jokes, but Bucs quarterback Tom Brady had the best lines.

— Rep. Dotie Joseph talks about voter suppression in the Florida legislature.

— A state Senator (who serves as chair of the Florida GOP) is investigated over allegations of sexually harassing a male aide. The party apparently concluded it did not happen.

— And finally, authorities ordered a Florida Man not to toot his own horn on Fort Myers Beach.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is promising to appeal the latest ruling in the state's lawsuit to force the CDC to rescind its health and safety guidelines for cruise ships.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Governor has already signed a new state law prohibiting businesses (like cruise lines) from requiring proof of vaccination from their customers … and he says there's a reason why so many people won't get their shots.

— The head of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection is in the Tampa Bay area today to meet with local officials dealing with a massive fish kill.

— A celebration of the newly approved Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. It was championed by National Geographic nature photographer Carlton Ward.

— And finally, a Florida Man gets eight months in prison for his role in The Capitol coup on Insurrection Day.

Gov. Ron DeSantis returned from his trip to Texas, where he met Florida officers sent to patrol the Mexican border.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As the Governor was helping fuel the culture war out West, COVID-19 was doing a number back home. We set a new low last week in the number of vaccinations. So many Americans are refusing to get vaccinated, the U.S. Surgeon General says misinformation has become a threat to public health.

— Florida had more than 45,000 new cases over the past week, which was responsible for more than 20% of all the new cases in America.

— A setback for the Governor's plan to ban vaccine passports on cruise ships sailing from Florida. A federal appeals court overturned a lower-court ruling that said the CDC overstepped its bounds regulating the cruise industry.

— Unemployment was up slightly in June … it was the third month in a row where the rate ticked up by one-tenth of one percent. But there was also a significant increase in the labor force.

— Florida added more than 80,000 new jobs last month. That's good news, regardless of the higher unemployment rate.

— And finally, two Florida Men: One broke into an airport and tried to hide in a Coast Guard plane; the other doused a store full of people with anti-bear bear spray to make his escape with some stolen candles.

Florida’s COVID-19 spike continues. The latest report from the CDC says we've got one of the highest transmission rates in the country; it’s so bad that folks in Los Angeles are being advised not to vacation in Florida.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on Floridians who are protesting on behalf of the people of Cuba to get out of the street.

— The Governor is also facing some tough questions about selective enforcement of the state's new anti-protest law. Sen. Shevrin Jones tells Sunrise that DeSantis doesn't seem to mind a protest as long as he agrees with it.

— Speaking of Cuba, the Governor is calling on the President to find some way to get the internet restored in Cuba so the protesters there can get their stories and pictures out to the rest of the world. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr says we have a way — all it takes is the will.

— Two central Florida cops, a father and son, are now facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in the coup at The Capitol.

— And finally, a Florida Man triple feature: One hired a hit man to kill his ex and blame it on Black Lives Matter, another is a former deputy going to prison for planting drugs on innocent drivers. The third left his kid in the car while he went drinking in a strip club.

Florida’s education bureaucracy is putting pressure on Hillsborough County schools. Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is furious that the local board voted not to renew the contracts of four charter schools. But supporters of the School Board say these charters didn't live up to their contracts and the commish is playing politics.

Also on today’s Sunrise:

— The state Board of Education has also approved new standards for civics, government and Holocaust education backed by the Governor.

Florida's COVID-19 surge continues with more than 20,000 new cases over the past four days, but the Governor won't be changing policies or imposing any mask mandates.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Ron DeSantis wants the federal government to do something to help the demonstrators in Cuba; he supports their street protests against the Cuban government. Quite a change for the guy who wanted to lock up Black Lives Matter protesters in America.

— DeSantis says one thing the U.S. can do to support the dissidents in Cuba is to provide satellite internet after their government pulled the plug on the net.

— Florida will be spending more than $100 million to beef up civics education this year, including a new emphasis on debate in high school.

— Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is asking for your suggestions to help encourage what's known as “energy equity.”

— Fried runs the state energy office and says studies have shown that Black, Hispanic and low-income families face an energy burden three times higher than other consumers.

—And finally, a Florida Woman went to jail after refusing to wear a mask on an airplane, spitting on her fellow passengers as she was being removed from the plane.

About every Florida politician in sight is condemning the Cuban government's crackdown on protesters and expressing solidarity with the people of Cuba. Sen. Marco Rubio is warning this could trigger the next Mariel boatlift.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The next Speaker of the Florida House says he doesn't see the need for any immediate action by the Legislature to address the condo collapse in Surfside. Paul Renner says the code works … the problem here appears to have been the condo association.

— Renner also warned against seeking legislative remedies before figuring out the actual cause of the disaster.

— The Governor hits the road to announce $30 million in grants for some of the least populated areas of the state. They're called Small City Community Development Block Grants. That money will pay for everything from sidewalks and sewers to downtown revitalizations.

— Starting next month, Carnival Cruise Lines says anyone who wants to set sail on one of their ships from a Florida port will have to be vaccinated … or buy a special travel insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related expenses.

— And finally, authorities are accusing a Florida Man of trying to smuggle crystal meth into the Orange County jail — by concealing it in his foreskin.