Sunrise

Gov. Ron DeSantis imposed a series of new restrictions to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It will affect universities, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and beaches. Florida also has its first fatality inside an adult living facility and health workers are scrambling to isolate and monitor the rest of the residents.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

The results are in for the Florida presidential preference primary. Polling veteran Steve Vancore and Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch talk about what happened in the Sunshine State and what happens next in the campaign.

— Former State Rep. Carlos Trujillo lands a new gig with the Donald Trump administration, as assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs

— After slashing salaries 10% at the beginning of the month to lighten debt, the Tampa Bay Times lays off more journalists.

— And the latest with Florida Man, busted by Disney for using a dead man’s credit card.

Special Guests: Peter Schorsch and Steve Vancore.

It’s primary day, and coronavirus has already thrown a monkey wrench into the system. Most of the volunteers who help the elections office at the precincts are seniors, and a lot won’t be showing up to help with the primary — but officials insist precincts are safe.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state is creating a $50 million fund for short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus.

— Say goodbye to Saint Patrick's Day parades in Florida this year, and spring break will be a lot different.

— Florida’s Department of Health just hired 100 new epidemiologists to help deal with the virus, with 100 nurses on standby if the state decides to set up a mobile field hospital for the victims.

— Officials in Broward County are trying to figure out what’s next, now that their county is the new epicenter of Florida’s coronavirus outbreak.

— The chair of the Broward County legislative delegation talks about coronavirus, and the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections discusses the presidential primary amid a pandemic.

— Florida unemployment rate dropped again in January It’s now tied the record low. But that was before coronavirus.

— Two Florida Men are making news in the political world, neither for anything good.

Special Guest: Shevrin Jones.

Florida lawmakers now have a deal on the budget, putting an end to the 2020 Session (finally) later this week. Which is just as well, because the only thing most people care about right now is the struggle to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As the number of cases in Florida passes one hundred, Gov. Ron DeSantis announces a ban on visitation at nursing homes and other facilities that have elderly residents and patients.

— DeSantis is also expressing concerns about coronavirus being spread in Florida by people from other states (we’re looking at you, New York). The Governor says it would be nice to screen passengers coming from trouble spots, but there’s nothing he can do about it.

— If you’ve been shopping for groceries lately, you’ve already noticed the run on disinfectant wipes, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. But the head of the state’s emergency management office says those supplies are being replaced every day and you should stock up on emergency supplies if you haven’t already.

— The Legislature was supposed to wrap up its work by midnight Friday (it didn’t happen), so the lawmakers voted to extend the session for one week to approve a new budget and try to settle differences over a couple of bills. But they’re not in The Capitol today or tomorrow; they’ll be back on Wednesday.

— Sen. Jeff Brandes talks about the budget, coronavirus, sentencing reform, and a cap on the potency of medical marijuana.

— Checking in with #FloridaMan — who wants to fight the spread of coronavirus by deliberately infecting first responders.

Florida’s Legislature is hoping to wrap things up by Wednesday. The tentative plan is to sign off on the budget by Sunday and then return for a vote Wednesday — after the mandatory 72-hour cooling-off period for the budget bill.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking groups hosting events like festivals, concerts and golf tournaments to postpone or cancel any sort of mass gathering because of the coronavirus. And his predecessor, Sen. Rick Scott, is quarantining himself after coming into contact with a Brazilian official who tested positive for the virus.

— After ignoring subpoenas from the legislature, Tiffany Carr, the former director of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is now facing the possibility of being held in contempt of the House.

— A bill prohibiting insurance companies from using your genetic information to set rates heads for the Governor’s desk.

— Also heading to the Governor is a bill that abolishes state regulations over telegraph companies; the Senate sponsor had to explain the concept of “a telegram” to the young-uns.

— Steve Vancore explains how the coronavirus could have a substantial impact on next week’s Florida presidential preference primary.

— The latest on Florida Man, including 73-year-old University of Miami professor Bruce Bagley, an expert on money laundering, who faces three counts — of money laundering.

Special Guest: Steve Vancore.

Gov. Ron DeSantis offers the latest details on the coronavirus in Florida — imposing new limits on who can visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities and universities are holding online classes.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— It’s a good day for House Speaker José Oliva; his health care bills for pharmacists and advance practice nurses cleared both chambers and are headed for the Governor. But the Speaker can’t win them all — VISIT FLORIDA won’t go out of business this year.

— A bill called the Clean Waterways Act cleared the Legislature and is also on its way to the Governor. Backers of the bill say it’s a game-changer for Florida’s environment.

— Rep. Kristin Jacobs talks about her bill Banning shark finning in Florida that is still awaiting final action in the Legislature.

— And the adventures of Florida man, who is blaming his behavior on a batch of bad cocaine.

Session is now running on two separate tracks. Track one is business as usual — both chambers meeting all day long and lawmakers are moving as many bills as possible in what is supposed to be the final week of Session.

Track two is going on behind the scenes, as a handful of lawmakers try to come up with a budget compromise and make cuts in their current spending plans; trying to beef up the state’s reserve fund in case the state faces a coronavirus recession.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A bill to compensate Clifford Williams for the 43 years he spent in prison for a murder he did not commit has cleared the legislature without a single vote against it, extraordinary for a claims bill. Now it’s up to the Governor.

— Another bill prevents local governments from banning chemical sunscreen products is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Opponents are hoping for a veto.

— Florida Politics correspondent Noah Pransky talks about dark money in U.S. elections, and a lot of it ends up in Florida.

— Chelsea Murphy, the state director of a conservative group called Right on Crime, discusses sentencing reforms. It is a subject that was once unthinkable for conservatives.

— In the latest with Florida Man, busted on a charge of practicing dentistry inside his own home without a license. It wasn’t his first time.

Coronavirus fears are overshadowing the closing days of the 2020 Legislative Session. Gov. Ron DeSantis meets with reporters to share the latest stats and talk about the state’s efforts to contain the virus, and the House Speaker says they need to prepare the state budget with a COVID-19 recession in mind.

Also, on today’s Sunrise.

— Five House members are in self-quarantine after learning that a person at the conference they all attended tested positive for the virus. Strap in, this story will be with us for a while.

— Two Tampa lawmakers are calling for a complete overhaul of the medical care provided in state prisons and they’re wondering what happens when coronavirus is found behind bars.

— The Senate votes to create a task force to track down abandoned African American cemeteries covered by development.

— Florida Democrats are targeting Trump with a new PAC called Organizing Together 2020. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is chairing the group.

— POLITICO Florida reporter Arek Sarkissian talks about the inside story on the demise of the Airbnb bill.

— The latest on Florida Man, who can now get a free surgical mask from a Tampa strip club.

This is supposed to be the final week of the Legislative Session, but it won’t. Senate Budget Chair Rob Bradley says they’ll need to go into overtime, if only for a few days.

— While the budget talks are still a work in progress, several major issues were settled over the weekend.

— VISIT FLORIDA will NOT be abolished, thanks (in part) to the coronavirus.

— Teachers and state workers will be getting a pay raise.

— Hundreds of millions of dollars in the state’s affordable housing trust fund will actually be spent on housing, instead of being diverted to other projects.

— House and Senate leaders have also agreed to the Governor’s request for $25 million to help the state fight the coronavirus. The House has backed off its original position to eliminate 500 positions from the Florida Department of Health.

— But there are still plenty of differences that must be worked out, including criminal justice and the environment.

— The latest on Florida Woman: Deputies say a woman was caught inside a Walmart making a nail bomb with materials she took off the shelves.

In Florida, the number of COVID-19 cases is creeping up. Gov. Ron DeSantis gives an update and some advice on the use of surgical masks. Rep. Chip LaMarca talks about how Florida ports are dealing with the threat of coronavirus.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— After her husband kicked butt on Super Tuesday, Jill Biden is coming to Florida. She’ll be making stops in Orlando and Miami.

— The House votes to step up efforts to subpoena Tiffany Carr, so they can grill the former boss of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence about her $7 million payday.

— Senate approves a resolution that condemns groups that espouse superiority over other people because of race, nationality or gender.

— Senators also approved a separate bill on the Ocoee Election Day Race Riot of 1920. Whites were so outraged that a black millionaire was getting people to the polls they lynched him, massacred 60 African Americans, burned down the black section of Ocoee and stole their land — all with the help of state officials.

— A special version of Florida Man, featuring the Congressman who wore a gas mask on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The state has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and former director Tiffany Carr — the woman at the center of the scandal.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The House approves “Kaia’s Law,” named in honor of a 6-year-old Orlando girl handcuffed and arrested at her school last year. Kaia Rolle was watching from the gallery when it passed.

— In addition, the House approves a bill forcing public schools to spend the first couple of minutes each day in what sponsors call a “moment of silence.” That’s one way to get around the ban on prayer in schools

— House members are taking a shot at public employee unions by passing HB 1, which would create another layer of red tape for the unions. The sponsor says it’s about paycheck protection; critics say its union-busting.

— Today's Florida Man story is no laughing matter ... unless you happen to be the Florida woman accused of huffing nitrous oxide on a slow drive in Clewiston.