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The Point, May 20, 2020: Study Finds Florida Farmers Have Been Hurt Hard By Coronavirus

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The top stories near you

• Tallahassee Democrat ($): University of Florida survey finds coronavirus has decimated some Florida farms. "Some growers report losing as much as 90% of their business."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Masks still mandatory after county flips decision. "The Alachua County Commission, after rescinding its mask requirement Tuesday morning, voted again in the afternoon to reinstate the rule."

• Ocala Star-Banner ($): Bethea wins Ocala City Council District 2 seat. "It took four elections to decide the seat after a past felony conviction disqualified the original winner."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Three commissioners to be sworn in — virtually. "The city of Gainesville will have its first virtual swearing-in ceremony at noon Thursday to bring aboard three commissioners elected in March."

• Ocala Star-Banner ($): Boy, 10, is most recent Marion County case. "One new case of COVID-19 was reported by the Marion County Health Department on Tuesday, continuing a trend of few new daily cases locally."

• Suwannee Democrat: Sawmill to have new owner in 90 days. "...multiple companies are interested with 10-12 reaching out and discussing the facility with Asgaard’s Michael Freeman, the chief restructuring officer for the bankruptcy."

• WCJB: High school seniors react to Gainesville Raceway graduation for Alachua County Public Schools. "At Gainesville raceway, seniors will drive up to the track and once their name is called walk across the stage."


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Around the state today

• Associated Press: States accused of fudging or bungling COVID-19 testing data. "Public health officials in some states are accused of bungling coronavirus infection statistics or even using a little sleight of hand to deliberately make things look better than they are."

• Florida Politics: Florida has cases of child illness tied to COVID-19. "Florida’s surgeon general has acknowledged that a syndrome that attacks children and is associated with COVID-19 has surfaced in Florida, adding a scary new dimension to the battle against the coronavirus in the state."

• Florida Today ($): Florida scientist was fired for refusing to 'manipulate' COVID-19 data. "Rebekah Jones worked for 60 days nonstop to provide Floridians with good COVID-19 data, then she was fired"

• WTSP: USF researchers using 'firefly' chemical to learn more about COVID19. "They're hoping the glow can help trace how the coronavirus makes its way through the body."

• Sun-Sentinel ($): Fort Lauderdale accused of ‘dumping’ homeless in next town. "Fort Lauderdale is paying a hotel in Dania Beach to take in homeless guests for 30 days after mistakenly thinking the hotel was in Fort Lauderdale."

• Miami Herald ($): Miami-Dade launches $5 million forgivable loan program for businesses hurt by COVID-19. "Miami-Dade is offering $5 million worth of forgivable loans for small businesses employing low-wage workers and suffering during the coronavirus pandemic, with federal dollars covering the grants."

• Florida Politics: 56 deaths, 502 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday in Florida. "Tuesday brought 56 newly confirmed deaths and 502 new COVID-19 cases to Florida, raising the state’s death toll to 2,129 and total infections to 46,944."

• Bay News 9: MacDill Air Force Base Reservists Caring for COVID-19 Patients in NYC. "The medical personnel in the 927th Air Refueling Wing usually assist other military units, but right now, they're a major part of the mission."

• St. Augustine Record: County approves $2 million to bring tourists back because of coronavirus impacts. "Staring down a major shortfall in bed tax revenue from lodging receipts, the St. Johns County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve $2 million to market the region and bring tourists back."


From NPR News

• World: U.S., Canada Agree To Keep Border Partly Closed For Another 30 Days

• World: U.S. Authorities Say Hobby Lobby's Gilgamesh Tablet Is 'Stolen,' Must Go Back To Iraq

• National: Johnson & Johnson Stops Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder In U.S. And Canada

• Health: Unique Robotic Team In Afghanistan Creates Affordable Ventilator Prototype

• Business: Facebook Launches Virtual Shopping Mall, Saying It Will Help Small Businesses

• Race: NFL Announces New Rules To Tackle Lack Of Diversity In Its Coaching, Executive Ranks

Jasmine is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.