Thanks to new law, local governments now have the right to ban smoking on Florida beaches

No Smoking Sign – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Bokeh Blur Background Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Friday authorizing local governments to prohibit smoking on public Florida parks and beaches. Local leaders will now have complete jurisdiction in regulating smoking at beaches. This includes stricter laws on cigarette disposal, the creation of

‘Presumptive’ case of monkeypox found in Florida

Small Child with Monkeypox – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by pavodam Florida health officials are working diligently to investigate a “presumptive” case of monkeypox–making Florida the third possible state in the U.S. to be hit by the disease after cases were found in New York City and Massachusetts. The Florida Department of Health in Broward

Thanks to code change, Naples could soon see medical marijuana dispensaries

Medical Marijuana Being Prescribed by Doctor – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Africa Studio As of now, medical marijuana dispensaries have not been welcomed in Collier County, but that could change in a few months. Collier zoning staff have been drafting an amendment to the county’s land development code to allow these dispensaries to run

COVID-19 cases are suddenly on the rise again in South Florida, doctors warning of a summer surge

Broward Health Coral Springs Emergency Room COVID-19 Testing — Courtesy: Shutterstock — YES Market Media COVID-19 positive case rates are rising once again in South Florida with over 28,000 cases in the past week alone. Although there has been an increase in visits to the ER, doctors say their hospitals aren’t too stressed. According to

Florida judge rules CDC mask mandate for planes, trains as ‘unlawful’

Mask Mandate Protest — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steve Sanchez Photos On Monday, a federal judge from Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mandate that masks be worn aboard buses, trains, planes, and other public transportation, leading to an immediate change in policy for air travelers and rail customers. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle for

Fuzzy caterpillars that leave painful, stinging rashes appear in Florida

White Marked Tussock Moth Fuzzy Caterpillars — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Satyashutter Florida officials are warning of fuzzy caterpillars that leave stinging rashes when touched. The white-marked tussock moth caterpillar may have beautiful markings, but be careful! You’ll only want to look, not touch.  “In the past, we have seen outbreaks where people get concerned naturally

Florida health officials warn of ‘alarming’ outbreak of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal Disease — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steph Photographies Florida health officials are warning residents about an ‘alarmingly large’ outbreak of a potentially fatal bacterial illness known as meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease commonly leads to two possibly fatal infections—meningitis, when the lining of the spinal cord and brain become infected, and a bloodstream infection. The disease

Infectious dog disease hits Florida. Should pet owners be worried?

CIRDC Dog Disease — Courtesy: Shutterstock — MikeDotta With COVID-19 ravaging the world, there is another virus spreading across South Florida affecting a different part of the population: dogs. Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, also known as “canine cough” or “kennel cough,” is caused by a group of bacteria and viruses, including the flu, that

Florida will be the first state to recommend against COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children

Child Receives COVID-19 Vaccine — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Ira Lichi Florida will become the first state in the country to formally recommend against the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children, a local official announced on Monday. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced the move, which would defy guidance issued by the federal Centers for Disease

Florida sees major decline in COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 Testing Site — Courtesy: Shutterstock — YES Market Media There has been a sharp decrease in coronavirus cases during the month of February. According to a report released by the Florida Department of Health, cases in the Sunshine State decreased by nearly 60 percent last week. Leon County’s cases also dropped by nearly 70