While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more! You can watch the latest LIVE on WPTV here from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
1. Open up the gates! Walt Disney World reopens tomorrow
"For the first time in forever, there'll be magic, there'll be fun!" Disney will open the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks on Saturday, followed by Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Wednesday, but you won't be able to just walk up to the mousey gates anymore.
You'll now how to reserve your spot in the park online ahead of time, wear a mask and have your temperature checked on the way in. Parades and fireworks are suspended because they don't want people to crowd together.
2. 'Excess' deaths raise concerns about pandemic’s death toll in Florida
New data suggests the pandemic’s most extreme impacts on the Sunshine State may be deadlier than what state leaders have told the public.
Between January to June 30, Florida reported 8,671 excess deaths, that’s more than double the 3,650 deaths the state attributed to COVID-19.
Dr. Troy Quast says the increase in the excess mortality rate during this time is a sign the state may be underplaying the virus and its death toll on Florida.
3. Will college football happen? Another domino falls
The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday that all fall sports will be limited to league-only games.
Will other conference follow and does it make sense? If the SEC were to cancel out-of-conference games, UF wouldn't play their game against FSU just a few hours away. However, they would still travel to Texas, South Carolina and more.
The announcement comes a day after the Ivy League canceled all fall sports as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Moe Petrus #57 of the Connecticut Huskies prepares to snap the football during a play against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 3, 2011 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
4. Feds feared Epstein confidant might kill herself
Federal officials were so worried that Jeffrey Epstein's longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell might take her own life they took precautions out of the norm.
After her arrest that they took away her clothes and bedsheets and made her wear paper attire.
The concern comes in part because Epstein killed himself in a federal jail in Manhattan last summer while in custody.
5. The verdicts are in: What did the Supreme Court decide?
This year has been a historic one for the U.S. Supreme Court with crucial decisions on birth control, immigration, abortion, Pres. Trump's tax returns and more. Not only did the justices rule on several important cases with far-reaching consequences, but they’ve done a majority of their work virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The justices released the last of their opinions on Thursday. You can see every decision they made this term here.
Cherry blossom trees bloom on the grounds of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Today's Forecast
Near record highs today with heat index numbers climbing. Isolated morning rain, scattered afternoon/evening showers and storms.
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On July 10, 1850, Vice President Millard Fillmore is sworn in as the 13th president of the United States. President Zachary Taylor had died the day before, five days after falling ill with a severe intestinal ailment on the Fourth of July.
Fillmore was only the second man to inherit the presidency after a president’s death. The first was John Tyler, who had assumed the presidency in 1841 after William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia 30 days into office.
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m.
