Sunrise

Both sides of the presidential race are asking themselves what’s going to happen when Patient Zero leaves the COVID-19 hot spot (known as the White House) to address thousands of followers at a campaign rally in Sanford. It’s happening one day after the state reported a significant increase in the number of new infections and fatalities … but it may have been a glitch.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Donald Trump Jr. hits the road in Florida, kicking off a bus tour against “socialism, communism, and radicals" (you know ... Democrats). It’s called the “fighters against socialism” tour and Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jorge Masvidal introduced Junior by saying something really “classy.”

— More on Don Jr.’s spiel on the Sunrise Soapbox.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis showed up in Calhoun County with a big check from the feds to help rebuild the only hospital in the area, which Hurricane Michael wrecked.

— Also, a deep dive into the Governor’s latest visit to the Panhandle to deal with the aftermath of Michael. It’s been two years and they’re still rebuilding. But Florida was lucky over the weekend when Hurricane Delta missed us completely — and DeSantis tempted fate by suggesting we may get out of this hurricane season without more damage.

— And finally, a Florida Man is going to federal prison for an investment he peddled on Shark Tank.

Florida’s unemployment office had so much trouble sending out checks during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s trying to get some of that money back.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Democrats have been complaining about the unemployment system for months and they’ve produced a fix. Sunrise checks out their bill to raise benefits and change the mindset at the state unemployment office.

— The state has passed another statistical milestone in the COVID-19 crisis: More than 15,000 Floridians have now been killed by the coronavirus. When you include victims from other states or countries who died in Florida, the total is now 15,248.

— Republican leaders in Tallahassee are refusing to call a Special Session to deal with COVID-19, but rank and file lawmakers say it’s going to be their No. 1 issue in March when the 2021 Session begins.

— And finally, a Florida man who doesn’t know if the Holocaust actually happened, but he does know one thing for sure — he’s getting his job back.

Florida reached another milestone in the fight against COVID-19, with more than 15,000 fatalities in the Sunshine State. Dr. Kitonga Kiminyo is an infectious disease specialist from Palm Beach County; he says we’re nowhere near the end of this.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Florida Department of Health reported 139 additional fatalities from COVID-19 Wednesday and more than 2,500 new cases.

— Last night was the first (and only) debate between the vice-presidential candidates; Florida Democrats were lining up to attack Mike Pence before it even started.

— Miami Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson also has a new way to describe Donald Trump — the “freeloader-in-chief.”

— Former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp talks about facing the Florida Supreme Court to represent one of the groups suing over Florida’s medical marijuana law. He began by paraphrasing Shakespeare.

— And finally, a Florida Man who ended up in jail after firing his AR-15 assault rifle when the census taker came calling.

Florida’s emergency operations center is tracking Hurricane Delta as it heads for the Gulf of Mexico.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis visits The Villages to announce the state will be distributing more than 400,000 new rapid COVID-19 test kits per week for the near future. First in line are nursing homes and adult living centers.

— The Florida Department of Health confirmed 2,251 additional cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and 59 more fatalities.

— With just seven hours before the deadline, the state’s voter registration website crashed. So, the Governor extended the deadline for another seven hours Tuesday to make up for the lost time. The extension originally expired at midnight.

— The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration visits Tallahassee to announce they’ve busted a drug ring that was flooding North Florida with meth made in Mexico. The Franklin County Sheriff says it’s nothing like “Breaking Bad.”

— A deep dive into the Public Service Commission’s decision to deny a request for a 90-day moratorium on utility disconnections during the pandemic.

— And finally, a Florida Man lost his job as a school principal after telling a parent he gave equal time to Holocaust deniers because didn’t “know for sure” it actually happened. So, you can only guess who might be getting his job back.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is taking aim at the constitutional amendment seeking to raise the minimum wage in the Sunshine State.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— And the Chamber president says it’s not just a trick, Amendment 2 is downright un-American.

— Panhandle residents are still recovering from Hurricane Sally, and now there’s warnings to prepare for the arrival of a new storm — Beta — by the end of the week.

— Donald Trump is out of the hospital and back in the White House after treatment for COVID-19.

— Republican consultant Anthony Pedicini talks about the impact of the President’s illness on the campaign.

— While Trump was preparing to leave Walter Reed Medical Center, Joe Biden was in Miami visiting the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

— And finally, checking-in with a Florida Man who assaulted deputies with a Bible.

The nation’s political establishment has been shaken to its core after Donald Trump and the First Lady contracted COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The President spent the weekend at the Walter Reed Medical Center and hopes to return to the White House today. COVID-19 has breached his inner circle, with a who’s who of D.C. insiders now in quarantine.

— Many who attended the Rose Garden ceremony nine days ago where Trump introduced his latest Supreme Court nominee tested positive; it may turn out to be what’s known as a “super-spreader” event. It could also be a problem in Florida, where the Governor is counting on the new Abbott rapid test to screen visitors at nursing homes to protect elderly residents from infection.

— Ron DeSantis hailed the rapid test as a game-changer in the fight against COVID 19 … but people who attended the Rose Garden ceremony were administered rapid tests and that didn’t stop the virus. Sunrise talks with our in-house pollster and political pundit Steve Vancore to get his take on how this will affect the presidential race.

— Schools are reopening today in Miami-Dade and Broward. They didn’t want to do it this soon, but the Governor and the Education Commissioner were threatening to mess with their money if they didn’t.

— And finally, checking-in with a Florida Man who requested a mail-in ballot for his wife … who’s been dead for two years.

Florida’s Department of Health reports 131 new fatalities from COVID-19. Four of the victims were from out of state, the rest were Florida residents.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Donald Trump will be at the Orlando Sanford International Airport for another Make America Great Again campaign rally. Florida GOP Chair Joe Gruters says Florida is a must-win state for Trump. You’ll hear more from Sen. Gruters.

— Democrats are still grumbling over Trump’s behavior during the first presidential debate, and Jewish members of Florida’s congressional delegation are infuriated over his refusal to denounce White supremacy after being asked directly.

— With the election little more than a month away, progressive groups say they’ll make every effort to make sure people get the chance to vote.

— Congressman Darren Soto has a bone to pick with FEMA. He wants them to explain why billions of dollars appropriated by Congress three years ago to help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria has yet to arrive.

— And it’s not just FEMA. Private insurance companies are also stiffing their policyholders in Puerto Rico to the tune of $1.6 billion.

— And finally, a Florida man went to jail over milk, while a Florida Woman was arrested after asking a deputy if he wanted to smoke pot with her.

Florida’s Department of Health reports 175 more fatalities due to COVID-19 and almost 2,000 new infections.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis has relaxed state restrictions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the virus is still out there — so doctors are appealing to the private sector to step up and fill the void created by the Governor.

— The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida is urging people to help fight COVID-19 by asking anyone who has recovered from the disease to donate plasma for other victims.

— The Joe Biden campaign launches a new campaign to get Black men to vote, and they’re inspired by Donald Trump’s performance during Tuesday night’s debate.

— And finally, Florida Man who decided if he was going to jail, his ex-wife should too.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing pushback over his decision to end state mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Governor is defending his decision to reopen bars, restaurants and nightclubs at full capacity, saying the state will be getting millions of new instant test kits from the feds for use at nursing homes and senior centers.

— Florida’s Department of Health confirmed 3,266 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, the highest number in the past ten days. They also reported new 106 fatalities.

— Florida unions are supporting Amendment 2, which seeks to raise the minimum wage. If they left it to the Legislature, it would never happen.

— Unions are also opposing Amendment 4, which makes it much harder and far more expensive for citizens to bypass the Legislature to get an amendment on the ballot.

— Liberal groups are pleading with Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to oppose the President’s pick for the Supreme Court because they believe it would be the end of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

— And finally, a Florida Man drove his SUV in the golf cart lane. As expected, alcohol was a factor.

Florida is reporting a dramatic decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases and fatalities. But don’t get too excited: Monday’s numbers are always low because reports slow down over the weekend — it takes a day or two to catch up.