Subscribe to The Point to invite us into your inbox with the most important Florida news from Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.

Today's top Florida stories

• WUFT News: ‘It Was On My Heart’: First-Time Local Author, Hairstylist Brings Hair Positivity To Elementary School Students. "(Rubyshay) Monroe, who hopes to write more books, said the book is important for her daughters who are 19 years old and 3 years old; she wants them to take pride in their hair. She didn’t have a book like this growing up. She has watched her oldest daughter and her clients — herself too — fight to be comfortable with their hair, even as adults. Maybe the children who hear this book won’t have to fight as hard."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Uber, GNV may sever ties after rider rate increase. "Gainesville Regional Airport is raising its transportation network companies rate — a fee paid by riders picked up by private ride services at the airport — from $1 to $3 per ride. The new rate will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021."

• WESH: Florida resident death toll tops 18,000. "Florida reached another bleak milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic Monday, when it exceeded 18,000 resident deaths from the disease."

• Tampa Bay Times ($): ‘Florida is a hot mess’: Nurses union raises alarm as coronavirus spreads. "Nurses from six of the country’s coronavirus hotspots, including Florida, held a news conference Monday, pleading with hospital administrators, government leaders and the general public to take COVID-19 more seriously."

• Tallahassee Democrat ($): Florida might not force you to get a COVID vaccine — but it can. Here's why. "In his very first executive order of the pandemic, DeSantis authorized state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to declare a public health emergency. Under that order, and under state law cited in the order, Rivkees can order anyone who is deemed to be a 'public health risk' to be vaccinated."

• WLRN: 'It's Not Solved': Miami-Dade Schools Participating In New National Effort To Promote Racial, Socioeconomic Integration. "Miami-Dade County Public Schools is participating in a new national effort to improve racial and socioeconomic integration in schools, in part because of the district’s success with specialized magnet programs."

• Miami Herald ($): Dozens of Florida counties at COVID-19 ‘tipping point’ before Thanksgiving, data show. "Researchers are  mapping coronavirus risk by state and county by the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 people. As of Monday, at least 47 of Florida’s 67 counties are in the “red” zone, with an average of 25 or more cases per 100,000 people."

• WPLG: Miami to Disney? Brightline announces station that would connect South Florida to Mickey Mouse. "Brightline and Disney announced Monday an agreement for the higher-speed passenger train to build a station at Disney Springs, the shopping and entertainment complex at the Central Florida resort. The project is pending local government approval."

• Bay News 9: Florida Snow Park Adjusts Hours after Misestimating Snow Production. "Snowcat Ridge said hours at the park would be limited so it could concentrate on snow production and ensure the Arctic Igloo 'remains fully operational.'"

Your support matters now more than ever.

WUFT is here for you with vital coverage during complex times. With the spread of COVID-19, independent, public service journalism has never been more important than it is right now. WUFT exists to serve the north central Florida community and is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest news from your community, the state and the world. If you’re able to, please consider making a donation to WUFT to keep us going strong. Support WUFT and your trusted journalism source in this critical time.

From NPR News

• Science: Mask Mandates Work To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus, Kansas Study Finds

• Health: AstraZeneca Trial Promises 'Highly Effective' COVID-19 Vaccine

• Politics: Biden Picks Janet Yellen To Be Treasury Secretary In Historic Appointment

• Politics: President-Elect Biden To Begin Formal Transition Process After Agency OK

• National: Millions Of Americans Traveling For Thanksgiving, Ignoring CDC Advice

• National: Biden To Nominate Antony Blinken For Secretary Of State

• Business: A Revamped Strategic National Stockpile Still Can't Match The Pandemic's Latest Surge

• Business: CEOs Urge Trump To Concede: 'Not A Moment To Waste' In Fighting COVID-19

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.