Here's your Friday morning news briefing
More COVID boosters coming
Following the Food and Drug Administration's OK from Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is backing the roll out of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The CDC is also supporting a mix-and-match approach to booster vaccination. Read more here.
In Florida news...
Remains found in Florida park are identified as Brian Laundrie, the FBI says
The FBI on Thursday identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip.
Judge weighs arguments on school mask rule
Opening arguments began Thursday in a challenge to a state Department of Health rule aimed at preventing student mask requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge was filed by six Florida school boards: Alachua, Broward, Duval, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Leon counties. Read more here.
Gov. DeSantis calls for special legislative session on COVID-19 mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis called Thursday for a special legislative session next month to erect roadblocks against COVID-19 vaccination mandates being advanced by the White House. At a news conference in Clearwater, DeSantis said he's working with Attorney General Ashley Moody to build a legal case to contest any federal mandates. Read more here.
Santa Rosa commissioners to tackle chronic flooding
Santa Rosa County commissioners on Thursday discussed how best to spend $31 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While tens of millions of dollars are needed to be spent to reduce flooding in the county, commissioners have tough choices. Read more here.
A good weekend read...
What it's like to be on the front lines of the school board culture war
School board members around the country are facing threats they never bargained for. They fear for their children's safety and their own — as protesters harass and threaten them over masks, vaccines, LGBTQ rights and initiatives promoting equity and inclusion. Read or listen to this NPR story here.