Government + Politics - Mainstreet Daily News Gainesville

Judge signals support for restoring Florida voting rights of former felons

Mainstreet Daily News

May 7, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge has signaled he’ll find part of a Florida law restricting the voting rights of people with felony records unconstitutional. At the end […]

Covid-19

Florida to begin mass antibody testing next week

Mainstreet Daily News

May 6, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that Florida will ramp up serological testing next week to see whether people have antibodies that indicate […]

Covid-19

County Commission wants to open more ‘low risk’ businesses blocked by governor’s order

Suzette Cook

May 6, 2020

0 comments

The Alachua County commission is asking that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis give Florida counties more discretion in order to open more businesses. A letter sent to […]

Covid-19

Who will enforce Alachua County’s face mask rule?

Suzette Cook

May 6, 2020

0 comments

While Alachua County residents and elected officials debate the use of face masks in scenarios where face-to-face interactions happen and physical distancing is difficult, an airborne […]

Covid-19

Alachua County Chair: Face masks are the frontline in a range of efforts to fight COVID-19

Mainstreet Daily News

May 5, 2020

0 comments

The Alachua County Commission enacted an emergency order requiring people to wear masks when they are interacting with others in public places. Some people – such […]

Covid-19

Florida’s COVID-19 positivity rate drops to 2.6% in one-day testing

Suzette Cook

May 5, 2020

0 comments

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that a record number of test results were reported on May 4th registering a 2.6 percent positivity rate for that day. […]

Government + Politics

Gainesville Fire Rescue responds to commercial building fire

Mainstreet Daily News

May 5, 2020

0 comments

Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) crews responded early Tuesday morning to the 1300 block of NW 23rd Avenue in reference to a commercial fire alarm. Once on scene, […]

Covid-19

Scott, DeSantis disagree on federal COVID-19 aid for states, cities to replace lost revenue

Mainstreet Daily News

May 5, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott opposes a prospective assistance package that would allow state and municipal governments to use federal money to […]

Covid-19

Florida governor calls for investigation of unemployment filing system

Suzette Cook

May 4, 2020

0 comments

The state’s $40 million unemployment benefits system known as CONNECT has not served the taxpayers who paid for it, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday […]

Covid-19

County Commission conducting Virtual Special Meeting tomorrow

Mainstreet Daily News

May 4, 2020

0 comments

The Alachua County Commission will conduct a Virtual Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. The public may attend virtually through Cox […]

Covid-19

Florida to cast a broad net on COVID-19 testing

Suzette Cook

May 4, 2020

0 comments

Florida ranks third in the nation for COVID-19 testing according to Gov. Ron DeSantis who announced that 403,275 results have been reported as of May 1st. […]

Covid-19

The re-opening of Alachua County: Phase One

Mainstreet Daily News

May 4, 2020

0 comments

On May 2nd, the Alachua County Commission released Alachua County Emergency Order 2020-21 – which itemized the specifics of re-opening businesses in Alachua County. Here […]

Government + Politics

GPD swears in five new officers

Suzette Cook

May 2, 2020

0 comments

Editor’s Note This is the third in a series of stories entitled “PLAN B” about how people who usually work in front of crowds are adapting […]

Covid-19

Many state parks, beaches to reopen Monday as DeSantis urges Floridians ‘get sunlight’

Mainstreet Daily News

May 2, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced at least 80 of Florida’s 175 state parks will reopen Monday in tandem with the first […]

Covid-19

BOCC sets the tone for reopening Alachua County

Suzette Cook

May 1, 2020

0 comments

Alachua County decided on May 1st that it will follow some of the governor’s Phase 1 opening plans exactly as presented in an executive order set […]

Government + Politics

“I DO!” Couples take the fast lane to marriage at county courthouse despite COVID-19 restrictions

Suzette Cook

May 1, 2020

0 comments

They promised to be honest, committed, faithful and stay together through the best and the worst. Getting married in your car during a global pandemic might […]

Covid-19

DeSantis vague about Florida’s reopening phase two, but Trump plan a likely guide

Mainstreet Daily News

May 1, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Phase one of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” reopening plan goes into effect Monday and, as the governor had cautioned, […]

Covid-19

DeSantis calls for probe into Florida unemployment problems; Scott says jobless being paid too much

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 30, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square — Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott insists the $600 weekly federal unemployment compensation provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) […]

Government + Politics

Prescribed burn today at Payne’s Prairie

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 29, 2020

0 comments

The Paynes Prairie State Park is conducting a 54-acre prescribed burn near the area of US 441 and CR 234 in Alachua County. The burn started […]

Government + Politics

Newberry Electric providing rate relief to customers

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 28, 2020

0 comments

In a continuing effort to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Newberry City Commission approved a reduction to the power cost adjustment (PCA) rate […]

Covid-19

DeSantis: Florida’s ‘slow and steady’ reopening to unfold in ‘baby steps’

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 28, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ safer-at-home order expires Thursday, and the Re-Open Florida Task Force has submitted proposals on how nonessential businesses can reopen. […]

Covid-19

In a time when resources need to be prioritized, GNV Cares package should focus on those in the most need

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 27, 2020

0 comments

I should be overjoyed about the GNVCares package that was passed last week. I’m not and here’s why. With every decision, every dollar, every conversation we have […]

Covid-19

Tampa hospitals poised to open May 11th

Suzette Cook

Apr 27, 2020

0 comments

As the May 8th deadline for executive order that shut down Florida approaches, Gov. Ron DeSantis is methodically visiting the largest hospital systems in the state […]

Covid-19

Florida insurance chief: Pandemics not covered under most business interruption policies

Mainstreet Daily News

Apr 27, 2020

0 comments

The Center Square – Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier delivered some good news and some bad news Friday to business leaders planning the state’s post-pandemic recovery. […]