Here's your morning news briefing for Wednesday morning
Florida Senate OKs COVID-19 protection extension
With no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Florida Senate panel Tuesday approved extending pandemic-related legal protections for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare providers. Read more here.
Florida could adopt tech to curb algal blooms under bill moving forward in the legislature
A bill that passed its first committee stop Tuesday would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to procure technology capable of removing harmful algae, toxins, and nutrients from water bodies. The agency has a technology grant program local government entities can sign up for to help restore water bodies. Read more here.
Republicans move on a plan to make school board elections partisan again
Local school boards have been under fire, most recently, over backlash to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, many boards were facing criticism on policies regarding LGBTQ students, transgender bathrooms, and the classic textbook battles. Now, an effort to return those school board elections to partisan races is back with a proposal sponsored by Republican State Senator and GOP Committee Chairman Joe Gruters. Read more here.
Tragedy in Michigan
A 15-year-old sophomore opened fire at his Michigan high school on Tuesday, killing three students and wounding eight other people, including at least one teacher, authorities said. Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Tate Myre, 16, were killed. Officials have not named a suspect but said he was arrested without incident. Read more from the Associated Press here.
December's astronomy report
A new month calls for a new column from Dr. Wayne Wooten. Learn more when the Geminid meteor shower will peak this month and more by clicking here.