Sunrise

Florida now has the dubious distinction of more than 1 million cases of COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— On Tuesday, the state Department of Health reported 8,847 new coronavirus cases. That pushes the statewide total to 1,008,166. And when the new stats come out today, there’s a good chance the death toll will top 19,000.

— Meanwhile, in Ron DeSantis’ world, the Governor wants the feds to eliminate travel bans, so more people can come to Florida.

— The COVID-19 crisis has been a major challenge for schools and the Foundation for Excellence in Education began its three-day virtual event to talk about where we go from here. It’s called “EdPalooza” 2020 and former President George W. Bush served as keynote speaker — despite some reservations.

— Reporter and author Amanda Ripley authored a book on how people react to disasters like COVID-19. Ripley says the one thing they all have in common is that our leaders don’t trust us enough to tell us the whole truth.

— Ripley never mentioned DeSantis or Donald Trump by name … she didn’t have to.

— Political consultant Steve Vancore discusses the constitutional amendment that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Despite what you may have read, Vancore says the Make It Legal amendment may not even make the ballot.

— And finally, a Florida Woman danced during a sobriety check. It would have worked, if only she hadn’t fallen down.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has emerged from his postelection cocoon. The last time DeSantis spoke with reporters was the day after the election when he bragged about the smooth vote count in Florida, promising he would have more to say in a couple of days.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— But instead of waiting until the end of the week, we had to wait until the end of the month. The reason was the Governor announced the state would allow students to continue with virtual learning next semester and schools would not face financial penalties. And while the number of COVID-19 cases is rising in Florida, DeSantis says the schools will remain open.

— Florida is about to reach another grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic. With today’s casualty figures, Florida will have more than 1 million cases of coronavirus. Only Texas and California have more.

— If you’re listening to this podcast, it means you’ve also survived another hurricane season; 2020 was the most active season since we started keeping records. Florida avoided the worst of it … except for the Panhandle.

— An education reform group created by former Gov. Jeb Bush is holding a three-day virtual event. Patricia Levesque with the Foundation for Excellence in Education says it’s for everyone who believes now is the time to retool our schools — and wants to get it right. EdPaloosa 2020 and it starts today. Former President George W. Bush and his younger brother Jeb are both taking part.

— And finally, a Florida Man is about to be released after more than 30 years in jail for a non-violent marijuana offense and a Florida Woman who was shot at her son’s funeral.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says vaccines for the coronavirus should arrive in Florida in three to six weeks.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— DeSantis made the announcement in a video posted on YouTube so he wouldn’t have to answer any questions from reporters … and those questions are piling up.

— The state reported more than 9,000 new cases of coronavirus Thursday and 81 additional fatalities. Our death toll is now more than 18,000.

— The COVID crisis has forced us to produce new ways to get things done and state officials say video conferencing is what makes it all possible.

— It took years for Florida lawmakers and the medical establishment to accept the concept of telehealth ... but it’s worked so well during the pandemic that it will be with us even after the virus is under control.

— The COVID crisis has cost billions of dollars and thousands of jobs at Florida’s ports. The people who run the ports haven’t received any funding from the feds to help during the crisis … but they are optimistic once the new Congress and President are sworn in.

— And finally, a Florida Woman found a decapitated body while cleaning up a beach near Pensacola.

Retailers expect a decline in sales during the all-important Christmas holiday shopping season, all thanks to COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida just passed another milestone in the COVID-19 crisis: The number of cases just blew past 900,000; at the current rate, it won’t be long until we hit 1 million. The number of fatalities is closing in on 18,000, and five Florida Mayors are asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to change the way the state responds to the crisis.

— State education officials are contemplating what happens next semester in public schools during the pandemic. Most parents want their kids back in the classroom, but not all.

— Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran says he’ll release a new executive order by the end of the month and parents will still have the choice of remote learning next semester.

— A deep dive into the three “p”s of the Florida Legislature: police, protest and patriotism.

— And finally, a Florida Man will serve 50 hours of community service for poking a manatee with a fishing pole.

Florida’s Legislature concludes its one-day postelection Organizational Session.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Wilton Simpson is the new Senate President. The new House Speaker is Chris Sprowls, who wants to stand up for police and patriotism while cracking down on what he calls the “Twitter Mob.”

— Republicans (who control both chambers) spent a lot of time talking during the single-day Session, but Democrats say they barely mentioned the biggest issue of all: the pandemic that has killed almost 18,000 people in Florida.

— The Senate did observe a moment of silence for the people who died from COVID-19 … but we still have no idea what the Legislature is going to do about it. Florida reported 86 more deaths Tuesday and almost 7,5000 new cases.

— While other states are still counting, Florida’s Election Canvassing Commission signed off on the final counts in the Sunshine State. It took less than two minutes.

— And finally, events and two Florida Man stories: One featuring a Florida Woman who was busted by her own son; the other is a Florida Man who strapped a stolen utility pole to the roof of his car in hopes of selling it to a recycling company.

Florida lawmakers have gathered in Tallahassee for a one-day postelection organizational Session.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Donald Trump may have lost the presidential race, but Republicans in the Florida House are celebrating because they padded their lead over the Democrats.

— One of the issues facing the new Legislature will be how to deal with COVID-19. Department of Health officials reported almost 4,700 new cases Monday. Oddly enough, it's almost a relief after Sunday’s surge of more than 10,000 cases. There have also been 41 more fatalities.

— And finally, a couple of Florida Men: One rammed a Highway Patrol cruiser, while the other bought an 8-year-old boy along with him during a crime spree to “toughen the kid up.”

Florida is seeing a huge surge in COVID-19 cases. Sundays usually have the lowest numbers in the daily casualty reports, but the 10,105 new infections reported yesterday is the highest one-day total since July.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The surge in COVID cases comes as the Florida Legislature is about to begin a one-day postelection Organizational Session.

— Lawmakers who control the House and Senate have imposed a series of restrictions to try to prevent the session from turning into a COVID-19 super spreader … but they won’t be doing a thing about the virus itself.

— Remember the panhandle lawyer who dressed up as the Grim Reaper and sued when the Governor refused to close the beaches because of coronavirus? The 1st District Court of Appeal is not amused. A three-judge panel says Dan Uhlfelder’s lawsuit was frivolous and is threatening him with sanctions.

— The task forces created to review the state’s plan to build 330 miles of new toll roads issued their final reports. The task forces did not conclude that any of them are actually needed … but the skids have already been greased.

— And finally, checking in with two Florida Men: One is a peeper, while the other walked out of a police station in broad daylight — still wearing handcuffs.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is under fire for hiring a guy who spreads conspiracy theories about coronavirus as a data analyst for the state budget office.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The surge in COVID cases continues in Florida with more than 5,600 new infections and 73 fatalities reported on Thursday. The death toll now stands at 17,585.

— The recount in Senate District 37 is over and incumbent José Javier Rodriguez loses by 34 votes. He says it would have been different if Republicans hadn’t run a straw candidate with the same last name to siphon off his votes.

— Sunrise speaks with some of the people involved in the 2020 campaign as they talk about the lessons learned … and it’s not good for Democrats.

— Democrats may be celebrating Joe Biden’s win, but Republicans can look at the down-ballot numbers and see good things happening in Florida.

— Electric vehicles are all the rage these days, but the folks at the Florida DOT says the transportation trust fund will take a hit because it relies on gasoline taxes. The DOT is also making plans for a series of recharging stations across the state —and portable charging stations to help along evacuation routes.

— And finally, checking in with two Florida Men: One was busted after pitching a fit over the lack of lettuce on his burger; the other is a former City Commissioner sentenced to community control for taking bribes from a strip club. Perhaps it was paid in singles?

Republicans are still having trouble coming to grips with the presidential election.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— While the rest of the world congratulates Joe Biden, the guys running Florida’s government are in a state of denial. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are all encouraging Donald Trump to keep fighting in court. But Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson says no amount of recounts and lawsuits will change the electoral mathematics.

— Robinson spoke during a virtual meeting of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.

— And now for something completely different: Equal time for prayer. The Forum Club began its meeting with a rabbi praying for peace and healing.

— The opposing viewpoint came from TV evangelist Kenneth Copeland.

— After a six-hour delay, Florida’s Department of Health finally releases the latest COVID-19 casualty count: 58 new fatalities, almost 4,000 new cases and no explanation for the delay.

— And finally, checking in with a couple of Florida Men. One will make you proud; the other … not so much.

Just a reminder: The state government is closed in honor of Veterans Day.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Speaking of veterans, Florida lawmakers have done everything they can in recent years to try to make this the most veteran-friendly state in the country and help people who leave the service make the transition to the civilian workforce.

— Florida needs those veterans because there’s a shortage of skilled labor in the Sunshine State.

— Mark Wilson and the Florida Chamber of Commerce have an ambitious goal of creating one-and-a-half million new jobs by the end of the decade … but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, they actually need to create about 2 million jobs to make up for the ones that disappeared.

— As for COVID, the state reported more than 4,000 new cases Tuesday, with 69 additional fatalities. That makes the positivity rate the highest it’s been since the beginning of August.

— The Miami Herald has one hell of a story about the Governor’s latest hire to analyze COVID-19 data …  a sports blogger and Uber driver from Ohio whose only relevant experience is spreading conspiracy theories online about COVID-19. Sounds like a perfect match.

— Sen. Rick Scott has been selected to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee. His first test will be in Georgia where there are two run-offs and control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs.

— And finally, a Florida Woman was caught masturbating by a dumpster… and she’s a repeat offender.