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Senate votes to block Biden's vaccine-or-test mandate
The Senate voted Wednesday night to overturn the Biden administration's proposed rule that large private employers must require their workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested, or face losing their jobs. The vote was 52-48, with two Democrats — Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana — joining all Republicans to overturn the regulation. Read more from NPR here.
State and Federal wildlife officials team with Florida Power & Light in plans to aid manatees
After Florida Power & Light announced rate increases this week, it was also announced the company would be allowing use of its Cape Canaveral Clean Energy Center in Brevard County to help conduct manatee rescues, recover carcasses, do health assessments and move forward with a short-term feeding trial. Read more here.
Belief in climate change is growing among Florida Republicans, an FAU survey shows
Five times over the past two years, FAU has polled 1,400 adults across the state. The most recent survey shows the percentage of Florida Republicans who believe climate change is real has doubled to 88% since 2019. Read more from member station WUSF here.
Florida's tegu lizards are migrating north. Here's what this invasion means for the state's wildlife
A new paper co-authored by the University of Florida and partner agencies details the invasion of Argentine black and white tegu lizards in the state of Florida over the past decade. The invasive species are known to eat the eggs of important animals in Florida, like American alligators and rare birds, which are biological indicators for Everglades restoration. Read more here.
A good listen: This Orlando food pantry feeds the LGBT community with dignity
LGBTQ people in the U.S. were twice as likely as their straight peers to experience food insecurity during the last few months of the pandemic. WMFE reports on a food pantry that opened up in Orlando during that time that not only feeds this need, but celebrates pride in the community. Read more here.