CNW90 July 17, 2020
Key Points(5)
- On Thursday, an additional 13,000 cases were reported and 156 new deaths, marking the highest death toll the state has announced in a single day.
- Florida’s rolling seven-day average for deaths is now 92 per day, a tripling of the average number reported just one month ago.
- Back in May, Florida governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Judge Francis to the state supreme court.
- But a lawsuit filed by Florida Representative Geraldine Thompson has challenged the governor’s appointment, claiming that Francis is ineligible.
- According to Florida’s Constitution, a judge must have served 10 years as a member of the Florida Bar before they can be appointed to the supreme court.
With a look at some of the top stories making the news today, July 17 across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida, This is CNW90.
Today’s newscast is brought to you by the Florida Department of Health;
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, The Florida Department of Health in Broward County reminds everyone to practice social distancing, wash your hands often with soap and water and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Coming up in the newscast, Florida surpasses 300,000 COVID-19 cases, Lawsuit may prevent Jamaican-born judge from sitting on Florida Supreme Court and United States to implement visa restrictions on Guyanese nationals.
Now for the news in the detail
On Wednesday, Florida became the third state in America, behind New York and California, to surpass 300,000 COVID-19 cases. On Thursday, an additional 13,000 cases were reported and 156 new deaths, marking the highest death toll the state has announced in a single day. Florida’s rolling seven-day average for deaths is now 92 per day, a tripling of the average number reported just one month ago. As of this week, Florida had the Number 2 COVID-19 death rate in the country, slightly behind Texas, which has 25 percent more residents.
Also in Local News, a lawsuit filed recently may prevent Jamaican-born Judge Renatha Francis from taking her seat on the Florida Supreme Court. Back in May, Florida governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Judge Francis to the state supreme court. But a lawsuit filed by Florida Representative Geraldine Thompson has challenged the governor’s appointment, claiming that Francis is ineligible. According to Florida’s Constitution, a judge must have served 10 years as a member of the Florida Bar before they can be appointed to the supreme court. Judge Francis has not yet completed her 10th year but will do so on September 24 this year, when she is scheduled to take her seat on the bench. Should Francis prevail the lawsuit, she will become the first Caribbean-American appointed to the state’s supreme court.
Now for Caribbean News, As Guyana still awaits the official declaration of its election results, the United States has announced that it will impose visa restrictions on those undermining democracy in the country. In a press conference on Wednesday, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said that such persons will face consequences, along with possible visa restrictions for their immediate family members. Although Pompeo did not name those that will face restrictions, he hinted at the David Granger administration, urging them to respect the results of the elections and step aside.
In Sports News, Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer has been dropped from the England cricket squad after breaching travel protocols following the first test match in the West Indies vs England series. The England cricket board said he will now undergo five days of self-isolation and will also be required to produce two negative COVID-19 tests before he can rejoin the squad.
For more information on these and other stories, visit CNWNETWORK.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean - American outlet. You’ve been watching CNW90
