Sunrise

Donald Trump supporters violated every norm of American politics when they stormed the U.S. Capitol to try to stop the counting of the electoral votes that sealed the election of Joe Biden as the next President. How did Florida politicians respond?

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida set another record for COVID-19 cases, as Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the slow progress of vaccinations statewide.

— The state has received approximately 1 million doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines; if you look at the official stats from the Department of Health, it appears that only a third of them have been administered. But DeSantis says the reports are lagging.

— The Governor also says it’s not fair to blame his administration for long lines to get a shot because the state doesn’t make appointments … they leave that to local hospitals and health departments.

— COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact in communities of color, so a coalition of black pastors has created the “Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Community Engagement Task Force.” Their goal is simple: Work with churches and historically Black colleges and universities to turn them into vaccination sites.

— It’s been more than three weeks since vaccinations began in Florida, but the COVID-19 surge has reached record levels. The health department reported 132 additional fatalities Wednesday and 17,783 new cases. That’s the most in one day since the pandemic began. But, once again, the governor is refusing to impose any statewide restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus or let local governments enforce their own restrictions.

— And finally, a Florida Man decided to ignore the COVID-19 protocols so his wealthy friends and donors could be vaccinated — without waiting like the rest of us.

Florida's Department of Health is reporting 100 fatalities and 15,431 new cases of COVID-19. That’s the second-highest number of cases in a single day since the pandemic began.

Also, on today’s #Sunrise:

— As schools reopen across the state, teachers and other school personnel who come into contact with children every day are wondering when they’ll be able to get their vaccinations.

— However, the Governor says the only teachers who can get shots now are the ones who are 65 and older. He claims data is driving the decision, but it could also be retribution for the teachers’ union that sued over his forced reopening of schools back in August.

— Speaking of retribution, a state appeals court hears the case of a legislative aide fired after reporting her boss … former Rep. Kim Daniels ... was making her run personal errands on the taxpayer’s dime.

— Although Daniels was voted out of office last year, the Florida House is still defending her. They are asking to dismiss the suit because lawmakers have immunity.

— Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is accusing Texas Republican Louie Gohmert of encouraging Americans to engage in violence in an attempt to overturn the election of Joe Biden.

— And finally, a Florida Man celebrated the new year by driving an airboat through his neighborhood while setting off fireworks and mowing down garbage cans.

Florida’s new vaccine policy can be summed up in five words — use it or lose it.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis made that announcement during a visit to Orlando Health, where he said vaccination sites will be working seven days a week during the New Year to inoculate as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.

— More than 260,000 Floridians have already received their first shot and seniors still have priority, but some hospitals have stopped taking appointments for vaccinations because the supply isn’t keeping up with demand.

— Meanwhile, vaccines haven’t put a dent in the daily casualty reports … they’re getting worse. The Department of Health reported 105 added fatalities Monday and more than 11,000 new cases of COVID-19.

— Sunrise in-depth discusses a federal court challenge to one of the Governor’s favorite new laws … a bill punishing local governments that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The law being challenged is Senate Bill 168 … commonly known as the “Sanctuary Cities Law.”

— And finally, the story of a Florida Man nicknamed the “Masturbating Bandit.”

Stand by for one of the most dramatic weeks in the history of our republic. A new Congress convened Sunday for the start of a new Session, swearing-in lawmakers while a growing number of Republicans simultaneously work to overturn Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump as the coronavirus surges.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— This ain’t 2021 … it’s 2020 Part 2: the sequel nobody wanted.

— Remember all those times we’ve mentioned how Sunday COVID casualty figures tend to be low because of the way numbers are reported to the state? Well, the Department of Health reported more than 10,000 new infections Sunday, with another 100 fatalities.

— On the plus side, 255,000 Floridians have received their first vaccination for COVID-19. Most of the shots are now reserved for seniors 65 and up and can be found at hospitals and some county health departments ... but the Governor warns that supplies are limited.

— You cannot just head out to get a vaccine … you must have an appointment. Even then, people have waited in long lines for hours.

— Five fresh faces are joining the state’s congressional delegation … all Republicans. But Maria Salazar had to skip Sunday’s official opening session after testing positive for COVID-19.

— Sunrise pays tribute to the handful of Florida Men and Women who defied the stereotype and made us proud in 2020 during the COVID crisis.

— And finally, a Florida Man tells police he robbed a house with an assault rifle to help keep drugs off the street.

It’s Christmas Eve, so we have something different: Resident soothsayer Steve Vancore stops by, to say some sooth that’s hard to say.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— We’ll get Steve’s take on the year that disappointed just everyone; 2020 turned out to be a real kidney stone of a year … but eventually (like a kidney stone), this too shall pass.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis signs an executive order to assure that seniors are the top priority once front-line health care workers have been vaccinated and says there’s hope ahead.

— Vaccinations have already begun in long-term care, but the AARP says the death rate at Florida nursing homes has more than doubled since the Thanksgiving holiday.

— No holiday from the virus. The Department of Health reports 121 additional fatalities and 11,000 new cases of COVID 19.

— Donald Trump is dissing the COVID stimulus bill approved by Congress … saying the $600 checks are not enough. He wants $2,000. And DeSantis says those checks are only a small part of the $900 billion COVID bill.

— DeSantis says his people are going through the paperwork now; it could take a couple of weeks to figure out how much money will be coming to Florida if it becomes law.

— State government is closed, but Florida Man never takes a break: A Florida couple is accused of using COVID relief money to buy a mansion in Central Florida.

Florida’s Department of Health is reporting 76 more fatalities and more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force says Florida is in the red, and the state should be taking a series of steps to mitigate the danger. But Gov. Ron DeSantis says that’s not going to happen and refuses to release those reports.

— How is it that a guy with a law degree from Harvard can’t understand the public records law?

— The Governor travels to The Villages to watch health care workers and seniors get their COVID-19 vaccinations. But DeSantis also warned seniors they could still have to wait a while for the vaccine.

— The rest of us will probably have to wait until the spring… so doctors are advising you not to let your guard down.

— On Sunrise In-Depth, something different: A virtual Christmas card for Florida’s health care workers. The card comes from Congressman Charlie Crist and many of the residents of Pinellas County.

— And finally, a Florida man who canceled his newspaper subscription because of something else the deliveryman dropped in his yard.

The woman who accused the state of rigging the COVID-19 casualty figures is suing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In the suit, whistleblower Rebekah Jones says the FDLE raid on her home was a sham — as retaliation for not altering the data when she worked on the COVID-19 dashboard at the Department of Health.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida started the week with another day of triple-digit COVID-19 deaths, with 115 fatalities reported Monday by the health department. But there are more vaccines arriving today. Gov. Ron DeSantis says there could be another 750,000 doses by the end of the month, most of which will go to seniors.

—The Governor says he will NOT be following the recommendation of a CDC advisory committee that wants to prioritize vaccines for essential workers over seniors.

— Senate President Wilton Simpson suggested halting construction of a new reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee — saying we can’t afford it because of the pandemic. But DeSantis says there’s no stopping it now.

— The Governor made those remarks at Key Biscayne, where he and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava were announcing a plan to restore Biscayne Bay. Job one is to get rid of the crap. Literally. Leaky septic tanks and aging sewer systems are two of the biggest threats.

— And finally, a Florida Woman is making serious money during the lockdown with her voice … and an OnlyFans account.

More drugs are on the way to Florida — including the newly released Moderna vaccine. Just in time, too because Florida won’t be getting as much of the Pfizer vaccine during the next two weeks as the governor had expected. The general in charge of Operation Warp Speed says it’s his fault.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida’s Department of Health is reporting 97 more fatalities and 8,400 new cases of coronavirus. That’s the fewest new cases in almost two weeks. However, Sunday’s case numbers tend to be lower than the rest of the week because of the way the state collects data and enters it into the system on the weekend.

— Florida’s unemployment rate is holding steady at 6.4%. but things are worse in the buckle of the tourism belt.

— One thing that hurt this year: businesses didn’t hire nearly as many seasonal employees as they usually do for the holidays.

— There’s a new boss at the Division of Administrative Hearings — Pete Antonacci is the Mr. Fixit of state government sent to clean house at several agencies.

— That last job as Supervisor of Elections in Broward County is what helped Antonacci become the new chief administrative law judge for the state.

— And finally, a Florida Man faces up to three years in prison. He’s not in trouble for being a male escort … but for shorting the IRS.

Florida’s Department of Health reports more than 13,000 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. That’s the third-highest daily total since the state began keeping count.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The state also reported 104 new fatalities Thursday, making it the seventh day in a row where the daily death toll hit triple digits. And it’s one more reason why the graduate student’s union at Florida A&M is opposing the administration’s plan to resume face to face instruction in January.

— Sunrise looks at the agreement between the feds and the state, which allows Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection to bypass the feds when issuing permits to destroy or alter protected wetlands. Republicans in Florida’s Congressional delegation love the idea.

— Democrats are NOT happy. They say the Department of Environmental Protection doesn’t have enough people to enforce the existing laws … let alone take on new responsibilities. Environmentalists call this a gift to developers in the final days of the Trump administration.

— Florida sheriffs have teamed up with Florida State University to create a new training program that teaches law enforcement officers how to deal with the day-to-day stress of being a law enforcement officer. The online program is called “Resiliency Behind the Badge.”

— And finally, a Florida Man is charged with possessing child pornography. He’s a Baptist pastor.

Florida has begun vaccinating seniors at nursing homes for COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Vaccinations are scheduled to start at most Florida nursing homes Monday, but the Governor decided to get an early start in two counties that have an abundance of long-term care facilities for seniors.

— A new report in the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel accuse the state of artificially depressing the COVID-19 death toll in the weeks before the election. But they’re booming now: 125 additional fatalities were reported Wednesday … along with 11,541 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases.

— The man who runs the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is defending his officers ... saying it was wrong for COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones to compare FDLE agents to the Gestapo.

— FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen says they haven’t completed their investigation of Jones, but he says she lied repeatedly about the raid on her Tallahassee home.

— On Sunrise Soapbox, Florida’s Attorney General defends her support for a lawsuit that would have invalidated millions of votes in four swing states won by Joe Biden. Democrats call it an attempted coup … Ashley Moody insists she was trying to bring faith and trust to the electoral process.

— And finally, a Florida Woman is charged with attacking a maid and throwing her own German shepherd from the second-floor balcony of a Motel 6. Don’t worry — the dog is fine.