Sunrise

Florida Democrats are returning the interest-free loan they obtained from the federal government under the Paycheck Protection Plan. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says it wasn’t supposed to go to political organizations like the Florida Democratic Party.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— On the other hand, several Republicans had no qualms about applying for the federal loans, including the incoming president of the Florida Senate, Wilton Simpson.

— As COVID-19 spiked over the past two weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis responded by saying don't look at new cases … look at the small number of fatalities compared to other states. Well, the Sunshine State just set a record Thursday — 120 fatalities reported in a single day. It puts Florida’s COVID-19 death toll is at least 4,111.

— Dr. Anthony Fauci says states with a serious COVID-19 problem should consider shutting down again. Fauci insists he’s not picking on Florida.

— U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia says the economy is coming back … but not until kids are back in the classroom.

— An in-depth look at a new program to help feed Floridians in rural areas who face all manner of financial hardships during the pandemic.

— And the latest with a Florida Woman — who is in jail for cooking a snack … in the wrong kitchen.

Illuminating another dark chapter in Florida history — the Ocoee Election Day Massacre. Sunrise will discuss some of the disturbing details in depth.

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is ordering public schools to fully reopen in August, regardless of the COVID-19 crisis. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz says that’s unwise — and unconstitutional.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis travels to Miami to announce the state is sending 100 nurses to help with the region’s spike in COVID-19. He claims it wouldn’t be a problem is Floridians would only follow his game plan.

— However, the Governor’s guidelines were not mandatory, and Democrats in Florida’s Congressional delegation say it’s time for DeSantis to grow a spine. Congresswoman Donna Shalala says his meek guidelines put lives at risk.

— The Democrats #1 ask of the Governor is a mandatory mask rule, something he would rather leave to local officials. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez has already made them mandatory in his county, which is now facing the worst surge in the state.

— But Gimenez has now walked back a couple of
the new restrictions — including those imposed on gyms and restaurants in his county. The Miami Herald describes it as “moonwalking.”

— Checking-in with a Florida Man arrested for drunken driving on a lawnmower.

Florida keeps setting records for COVID-19, and Gov. Ron DeSantis keeps urging people to stop focusing on all those new cases.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— There have now been more than 206,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus exposure in Florida. an increase of 60,000 in the past week. Fatalities are now at least 3,880, also an increase of more than 300 over the past week.

— DeSantis is determined to continue reopening the state for business and tourism and insists that theme parks in Central Florida are taking so many precautions that they’ll be some of the safest places in the state. But in South Florida, officials head in the opposite direction. The Mayor of Miami Dade is issuing an emergency order shutting down dining rooms and gyms to try to halt the spread of coronavirus.

— One of the best things to come out of the COVID-19 crisis — parody songs. Remember Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover?”

— Checking — in with a couple of Florida Men. One robbed a pizza guy and pooped his pants when he saw the cops. The other pushed an 86-year-old man out of an elevator — in the name of social distancing.

Florida has achieved the dubious distinction of setting another record for COVID-19 cases, more than 10,000 new cases in a single day.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Vice President Mike Pence and Gov. Ron DeSantis meet in Tampa to talk about the surge in coronavirus, but Democrats claim they’re both to blame for the failed response nationwide and in Florida.

— Speaking of death, Florida reported 67 more COVID-19 fatalities Thursday (if you believe the state’s numbers) bringing the death toll in the Sunshine State to 3,718.

— Three state lawmakers who are leaving the Legislature this year are hoping to remain in Tallahassee by appointment to the Public Service Commission.

— As the new trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada begins, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says Florida growers are getting the shaft. Fried, Rep. Stephanie Murphy and blueberry grower Bud Chiles will talk about the new deal.

— The latest with Florida Man, a veteran cop who’s been relieved of duty for punching a woman in the face at Miami International Airport.

Florida’s Department of Health reports more than 6,500 new cases of coronavirus and 45 more fatalities.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— If you’re planning an outdoor party (or headed to the beach) for the 4th of July, you have the Gov. Ron DeSantis’ blessing. He says it's safer there than it is inside.

— As the Governor continues to downplay the spike in COVID-19 cases, there’s no going back on reopening, he says. Meanwhile, Democrats in the state Senate accuse him of failing Florida during the pandemic.

— President Donald Trump’s new trade deal with Canada and Mexico is now in effect and the state Agriculture Commissioner says it could cost Florida growers 400 million dollars and eliminate 8-thousand jobs in the Sunshine State.

— The Governor signed Senate Bill 404, which requires girls under age 18 to get notarized permission from at least one parent before they can have an abortion. Backers of the new law say it's all about protecting girls and preserving rights of parents, but the head of Planned Parenthood in Florida says it's just politicians playing their games.

— The latest with Florida Man, who is threatening to deputize every law-abiding gun owner in Clay County to deal with any civil rights protesters. Bonus points because the sheriff who doesn’t like the Black Lives Matter demonstrations is himself black.

More than 6,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported by the health department Tuesday, which brings Florida’s running total to more than 152,000 since March. 

— The COVID-19 surge in Florida is now so bad that even the military is staying away. The Department of Defense says the Sunshine State is off-limits to military personnel because of the virus. The Vice President also canceled two campaign stops in central Florida.

— Floridians who want to visit relatives in prison will have to wait. The Department of Corrections has extended the ban on personal visitation until the middle of the month.

— July 1 is a big day for state government. The new budget takes effect, as does many of the bills passed during the 2020 Session, including the House Speaker’s health care reform bills.

— A deep dive into Gov. Ron DeSantis’ environmental agenda. The Governor signed two bills that have been hailed as game changers in Florida, including one setting serious fines for polluters in a state that has a reputation for letting development run wild.

— Checking-in with a Florida Man, who lost his license years ago — long before his 9th DUI.

Florida’s Department of Health reported more than 5,200 cases of coronavirus Monday — which was good news (in a perverse sort of way). We’ve averaged more than 9,000 new cases for each of the past three days, so 5,000 seems kind of tame, given the circumstances.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The state reported 28 additional fatalities Monday, bringing the state’s total number of COVID-19 deaths to at least 3,546.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis finally issued his line-item vetoes for the new state budget, which takes effect tomorrow — slicing more than a billion dollars from the bottom line.

— Those vetoes intend to beef up state reserves that have taken a hit during the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic. But Democrats in the legislature are fuming, upset they had no say in the process.

— Sunrise takes a deep dive into the Governor’s budget cuts — and the cuts he did not make — as well as the reaction from Democrats who were cut out of the process.

— And the latest with Florida Man, who removed his pants when asked to cover his face with a mask. And the guy yelling “white power” in that video retweeted by the President? Guess which state he’s from.

Number crunchers at the Florida Department of Health keep cranking out dismal news: The state set a record for coronavirus cases Friday, then we broke that record Saturday. And it was almost as bad Sunday.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Over the past three days, the state reported more than 27,000 new cases of COVID-19. For context, consider this: Almost 20% of all the cases reported in Florida over the past three months took place over the last three days. But Gov. Ron DeSantis says it’s not because Florida reopened too soon.

— The state reported 258 new deaths in the past week … bringing the total number of Florida fatalities to 3,518.

— Time is running out for the Governor to sign the new state budget and the coronavirus is making his job a lot tougher. State tax collections dropped by almost $800 million in May alone.

— Things are getting nasty in the GOP primary for Senate District 27. The Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee has begun campaigning against a fellow Republican because they think she’s been playing footsie with the Democrats.

— Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson says business leaders need to embrace the calls for change coming from the Black Lives Matter movement. Wilson believes this the perfect chance to make a difference in Florida’s poorest communities.

— What better time to have a baby than the middle of a campaign for Congress amid a public health crisis. Congratulations to Rep. Dane Eagle and his wife Brooke on the birth of their son Ronin.

—Checking-in with a Florida Man accused of trying to steal an airplane for a cross-country visit to his girlfriend.

Florida has now had two days in a row with more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As the Chamber of Commerce works to get Florida back in business, a warning from the head of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta. Raphael Bostic says customers won’t come back until they feel safe.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill expanding the number of vouchers that are available for kids to attend private schools on the public dime. He says it’s all about choice.

— Sunrise takes a deep dive into offshore drilling. Florida has been protected for years … but that could change soon.

— Checking-in with a Florida Woman who doesn’t want the government telling her to wear a mask. And this is just a taste of what’s to come.