Florida Drops Moral Opt-Out for Vaccines

The Florida Department of Health has dropped a proposed exemption that would have let parents skip school vaccines for their children over “sincerely held moral or ethical” beliefs. Religious and medical objections remain the only options.

The notice, filed on Wednesday, revises the religious exemption form but keeps the rest of the proposal, ending school requirements for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal shots. State law doesn’t mandate those four, so the department can cut them by rule.

Gov. Ron DeSantis turned to rulemaking after lawmakers repeatedly rejected his push to end mandates.

Siblings Charged in Subway Kickback Case

Federal prosecutors say a Pinecrest woman and her Coral Gables brother took secret vendor kickbacks for about two decades, costing sandwich franchise owners more than $80 million.

Janet Risi Field, 66, led Independent Purchasing Cooperative, the Miami-Dade nonprofit that negotiates supply prices for the chain’s franchisees. Prosecutors didn’t name the chain, but the co-op serves Subway franchisees. The family allegedly hid more than $60 million through shell companies, funding homes in Florida and North Carolina, jewelry, and private clubs.

The co-op’s board, unaware of the scheme, fired her in 2021 and paid her more than $6 million in severance. She and her brother, Steven Louis Risi, 70, face up to 20 years on a money laundering conspiracy charge. She also faces wire fraud counts.

Florida DOE Considering Dress Code

The Florida Department of Education is weighing a draft employee dress code that would ban Crocs, flip-flops, and sweatpants, require skirts at or below the knee, and bar jeans on Monday through Thursday. Religious head coverings would need approval on a case-by-case basis.

The draft comes two months after the State Board of Education appointed Commissioner Henry Mack. Violators, including interns and contractors, could be sent home or disciplined.

First Amendment experts call the head-covering language vague and say it could clash with Florida’s religious freedom law. The department says employees can review and edit the draft before it’s finalized.

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➤ Jacksonville: TSA PreCheck members can access Jacksonville International Airport’s gates without tickets starting today, while active-duty and retired military members now receive priority security screening. (More)

➤ Groveland: Helicopters are battling a roughly 250-acre marsh wildfire near Silver Eagle Road because crews can’t safely reach much of it on foot, with officials urging residents to stay away. (More)

➤ Miami Beach: Rapper Rick Ross was arrested early Thursday in Miami Beach on felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery charges involving an ex-girlfriend, accusations his attorney denied. (More)

➤ Duval County: School board members on Thursday considered allowing employees, contractors, and parents to keep legally possessed guns secured in vehicles on school property, with no vote scheduled. (More)

➤ Orange County: The sheriff’s office is seeking to identify and publicly thank two men who helped deputies rescue a woman from a burning car after a crash last Friday. (More)

➤ Collier County: A 50-year-old Fort Myers woman died and the driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries on Wednesday night when their Tesla veered off Golden Gate Parkway, struck a traffic signal pole, and overturned. (More)

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➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning opened their season last night against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. (See Score)

➤ St. Thomas Aquinas visits Chaminade-Madonna tonight in a Broward County rivalry between two of the nation’s premier programs. (See Preview)

➤ Inter Miami received MLS fines for the club, coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez, and five players after a confrontation in a Sept. 27 loss to the Columbus Crew. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Rays tapped veteran right-hander Drew Rasmussen to start Saturday’s ALDS opener against the New York Yankees, who eliminated the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic will offer $20 tickets for every home game this season through Monthly Steals, with deals released the first day of each month, plus discounted concessions and merchandise at the Kia Center. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | NHL | WNBA | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Florida’s general revenue totaled $3.81 billion in August, falling $2 million short of projections as stronger corporate income and real estate tax collections offset most of a $43 million sales tax shortfall. (More)

➤ Daytona Beach plans to extend its oceanfront boardwalk and seawall 295 feet south in 2027, pending permits and funding, and is seeking proposals through Oct. 27 for rides or entertainment near the pier. (More)

➤ The Walt Disney Co. laid off hundreds of corporate employees on Tuesday, primarily in human resources and information technology, continuing cost-cutting efforts after eliminating about 1,000 jobs across the company in April. (More)

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➤ The Atlantic Basin recorded no September hurricanes for the first time since 1994, continuing a season without hurricanes as a powerful El Niño helped suppress storm development. (More)

➤ The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival features about 150 songwriters and performers at downtown Pensacola venues through Sunday, then moves to the beach for events through Oct. 11. (More)

➤ A Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy rescued a hawk trapped under a pool cover in Tampa on Monday, using a net to catch the frightened bird before coaxing it to fly away. (See Rescue) 

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Congress has passed a bill renaming Social Security terms that lawmakers say confuse the millions who retire every year. (Hear Details)

➤ New reporting reveals why body fat is so essential, raising the question of what the right amount is. (Listen Now)

➤ Federal health officials are putting $10 million on the line to revive the Presidential Fitness Test, which researchers say could backfire. (Full Story)

Which item is least appropriate for the workplace?

1. Crocs
2. Flip-flops
3. Jeans
4. Sweatpants
5. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

How old were you on your first Disney World visit?

1. 18 or older: 59%
2. 10 to 17: 20%
3. Younger than 10: 12%
4. I’ve never visited: 9%

What is the Miami Circle?

Show me the answer