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Today's top Florida stories

• WUFT News: Decrease In Demand And Confidence In Transportation Services Leads To Reduced Ridership Numbers. "While UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) decided to limit capacity on all vehicles in response to COVID-19, TAPS Senior Director Scott Fox said the drop in ridership is likely due to a lack of demand for services. Only 35% of classes this fall are taught in-person or in a hybrid model, so Fox said ridership on RTS buses, Campus Connector Shuttles and SNAP vans has dropped by a third relative to this time last year."

• WUFT News: Welcoming New Life In A Pandemic: Local Midwives See Surge Of Inquiries. "Just because the world has seemingly stopped for a little while doesn’t mean that life (or its creation) has too. Women are still getting pregnant, still giving birth and still need all the support they can get. The novelty and unknowns about COVID-19 have led to reconsideration about the need to give birth in a hospital setting."

• The Alligator: ‘Uncharted territory’: Unmasked students, fans return to pre-pandemic partying habits on game day. "From morning past midnight, UF students, alumni and Gator football fans alike celebrated the first home game by throwing crowded house parties, tailgating and filling up bars."

• WUSF: Florida Experiences Fewer Than 2,000 New Daily Coronavirus Cases. "Sunday's report also recorded the deaths of 43 people due to complications from COVID-19 since Saturday's report, bringing the statewide death toll to 14,845."

• Florida Today ($): COVID-19 survivor Rep. Randy Fine says with Trump testing positive, it's time for education, empathy. "(Randy) Fine told FLORIDA TODAY that his advice to the President was to 'be patient and don't assume that how you feel on day one is how you will feel on day 12,' pointing out that he wasn't hospitalized until the 12th day after his positive test result."

• Tampa Bay Times ($): Coronavirus pandemic clouds future for Tampa Bay’s downtowns. "In both Tampa and St. Petersburg, business owners, patrons and analysts alike are wondering whether the face of the region’s downtown areas will be forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic and its forceful shift of many employees to remote work."

• Daytona Beach News-Journal ($): Black bear sightings are about to increase in Volusia and Flagler counties. Here's why. "And with winter on its way, the mammals are preparing for hibernation. Mike Orlando, a bear biologist with the FWC, said those reports are about to increase."

• WUFT News: Gainesville’s Second-Hand Clothing Stores Face Reduction In Volunteering, Donations. "Gainesville’s second-hand clothing stores are facing reduced hours, less volunteers, and a lack of donations."

• Florida Storms: Potential Tropical Cyclone 26 Forms in the Central Caribbean. "The National Hurricane Center says that there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards along the coast from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle ahead of PTC 26. Residents are advised to monitor the progress of the system over the next several days."

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From NPR News

• World: How A COVID-19 Diagnosis Has Affected Other World Leaders

• Health: Why A Negative Coronavirus Test Doesn't Necessarily Mean You're In The Clear

• Health: Trump Is Taking Remdesivir. Here's How It Works To Control The Coronavirus

• Health: How Do You Contact Trace The President Of The United States?

• Science: Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine Awarded To Discoverers Of Hepatitis C Virus

• Business: Street Food: Cities Turn Parking Spaces Into Dining Spots And No One Seems To Mind

About today's curator

I'm Ethan Magoc, a news editor at WUFT. Originally from Pennsylvania, I've found a home telling Florida stories. I’m part of a team searching each morning for local and state stories that are important to you; please send feedback about today's edition or ideas for stories we may have missed to emagoc@wuft.org.