Public Comment Held on Vaccine Mandate

The Florida Department of Health held its first public vaccine workshop on Friday in Panama City Beach to discuss a potential mandate repeal.

Public commenters supported both sides of the issue, with resident Larry Downs Jr. saying, “The default setting should be freedom, not these corporate chemical vaccine injections.”

Medical professionals also spoke out, with Dr. Frederick Southwick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida, saying, “I feel very sad to hear the distrust of physicians in the medical community. We only have our patients’ welfare in mind.“

Gov. Ron DeSantis had previously called for the state to become the first in the nation to eliminate all school vaccination requirements.

Orlando Expressway Project Approved

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has approved a $218 million project to add an extra lane to the 408 near I-4, aiming to improve traffic flow near Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

“That whole area will be a great improvement for the driving experience,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

The project will add an extra lane of traffic to eastbound 408, increasing the number of lanes to five from Orange Blossom Trail to the I-4 ramps.

Construction will begin in January and is expected to be completed in 2029.

Florida Town Has Much Desired Postmark

The town of Christmas in Central Florida becomes a festive hub each year as people from around the world send their holiday cards to be stamped with its unique postmark.

“I have people from overseas, from England, Europe, they will mail their cards to us undercover, in another envelope so they can get that Christmas postmark,” postmaster Dawn King said.

Postcards with the 2025 Christmas postmark can also be ordered.

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➤ Marion County: Health Department officials issued a new rabies alert after a raccoon that was killed near Southeast 17th Street and 25th Avenue on Dec. 7 tested positive, bringing the county’s total number of active rabies alerts to four. (More)

➤ Tampa: An elderly man dangling off the roof of a home was rescued by first responders this week after he slipped while blowing leaves three stories up. “I’m glad somebody’s got me,” the man said. (See Video)

➤ Winter Garden: An ordinance is being considered to limit the speed of e-bikes to 10 mph on sidewalks not immediately adjacent to roads. “There’s young kids, you know, 10, 12, 13 years old… They don’t even know the rules of the road,” one man said. (More)

➤ Brevard County: A new study from University of Central Florida researchers found microplastics in the air are “raining” down into the Indian River Lagoon. (Details)

➤ Jacksonville: A new 90-foot mural called Abundant Waters was unveiled on the JEA pump station under the Fuller Warren Bridge on Friday. The artist said that his vision included “a lot of waves and things like that going on.” (See Mural)

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➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the New York Jets today at 1 p.m., entering the game as massive 13.5-point favorites. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning have unveiled their 2026 Stadium Series jerseys, which will be worn on Feb. 1 against the Boston Bruins. (More)

➤ William M. Raines High School upset Miami Northwestern 23-22 in the Florida Class 3A state championship on Friday night, just one year after being demolished 41-0 by the same school. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer | Golf | Volleyball

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➤ Recycling the Magic in Oakland is packed with authentic Disney-park history, including a Snow White doll from the 1930s signed by Walt Disney. “What we sell in here is memories,” the owner said. (See Store)

➤ The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is training its first therapy dog solely for 911 dispatchers. Echo, a Lagotto Romagnolo, is now 5 months old. (See Video)

➤ More than two dozen very rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are being treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon after being rescued from frigid waters off the New England coast. (See Photo)

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Do you give a gift to your mail carrier?

1. Yes
2. No

Saturday’s Results:

Do you make hot cocoa with water or milk?

1. Milk: 39%
2. Don’t drink cocoa: 31%
3. Water: 30%

What Florida animal inspired early cooling/thermoregulation research?

Show me the answer