Judge won’t dismiss parents' lawsuit over Florida governor's school mask-mandate ban

A Leon County judge on Thursday denied a motion from the state asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by parents, including several in Tampa Bay, that claims Gov. Ron DeSantis' order banning school mask mandates is unconstitutional.

COVID-19 or RSV? Symptoms parents should watch for in kids

The symptoms related to both RSV and COVID-19 are similar, but there are a few that are distinctly different and can help parents better differentiate between the two.

Biden administration says states banning mask mandates in schools could face civil rights investigations

President Biden has ordered his Education secretary to explore possible legal action against states, including Florida, that have blocked school mask mandates. The Education Department says such bans could amount to discrimination and civil rights violations.

Arkansas hospital shows grim picture inside its COVID-19 ICU

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas told the story of two unvaccinated fathers who are now critically ill after contracting COVID-19.

DeSantis' top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.

Wellstar health care employees protest COVID-19 vaccine mandate

A group of Wellstar health care workers are pushing back against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate recently implemented by the health system. Wellstar is one of several hospitals across the state to put that requirement in place.

‘We have the tools’: Biden says COVID-19 boosters could start in September

On Wednesday, the president outlined plans for booster shots for fully vaccinated Americans, which could begin as early as the week of Sept. 20.

COVID-19 hospitalizations could hit 32,000 a day, CDC forecast says

The COVID-19 Forecast Hub at UMass Amherst, which is utilized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicts new COVID-19 hospitalizations could reach 32,000 a day as soon as Sept. 13.

CDC COVID-19 map shows most of US under high community transmission

The majority of the U.S. was under a high level of COVID-19 community transmission according to the latest map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Biden extends 100% federal reimbursement of states’ COVID-19 costs

President Joe Biden has ordered FEMA to continue to cover 100% of states’ costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of the year.

Disability rights group files federal lawsuit challenging Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate ban

Disability Rights Texas claims in a lawsuit that Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates prevents students with disabilities from safely returning to school and is a violation of students federal rights.

Japan weighs legal penalties as country expands COVID-19 state of emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has officially expanded and extended the nation’s coronavirus state of emergency as government advisers recommend legal changes that would allow penalties for violations.

20 bus drivers quit during first week of school in one Florida county

Many of Florida’s largest school districts are finding it difficult because of the pandemic to hire enough bus drivers, with some using managers and other stop-gap measures to get students to class as the new school year begins.

TSA to extend mask mandate for travelers through January 2022

The Transportation Security Administration will extend a mask mandate on public transportation through Jan. 18, 2022, according to a TSA spokesperson.

Dragon Con to require proof of vaccination or negative test to attend

The organizers of Dragon Con, the Southeast’s largest multi-media and pop culture convention, announced this week it will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before being allowed to enter the convention.