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!
1. Final Coutndown and Debate: 11 days until the election
Last night's debate was one of the last times both candidates will speak to the voters before the election. Coronavirus, racism, healthcare, immigration and more: You can find the big takeaways at the link above.
They said a lot, but what was the truth? You can find a fact check here.
In Florida, 3,195,870 people have already voted by mail and 1,060,232 have voted early.
2. Presidents in South Florida: Trump and Obama coming to town
Speaking of early voting, President Donald Trump will cast his vote on Saturday in West Palm Beach. The president is scheduled to visit Florida on Friday, where he'll hold rallies in The Villages and Pensacola.
With 29 electoral votes, Florida is crucial to both presidential candidates but especially President Donald Trump, who moved his official residence to his Palm Beach estate Mar-a-Lago from New York last year. A Florida loss would make it nearly impossible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to retain the White House.
3. As cases increase, you can get a free coronavirus test this weekend
Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,557, among the most in two months and Florida’s test positivity rate is on the rise, indicating widespread transmission.
St. Lucie County residents can receive a free COVID-19 test this weekend whether they have symptoms or not. The free tests will be given out at a mobile site set up inside a Statlab bus.
Learn more about how to receive a free test at the link above.
4. Kindness in the face of tragedy: ICU team helps family who lost son to coronavirus
An ICU team in Palm Beach County performed an extraordinary act of kindness for the family of a young man who lost his fight with COVID-19.
Hospital workers at JFK Medical Center came together to raise enough money so the victim's father can take his son back to Central America for burial.
The 18-year-old man spent about two weeks at JFK Medical Center before dying from the coronavirus last week.
5. TGIF: 5 fun things to do this weekend
This year at the South Florida Fairgrounds it’s Spookyville Drive-Thru Fair Eats & Treats will come alive as children will be able to enjoy a slow cruise as they enjoy friendly faces, familiar songs, Halloween vignettes, actors, and lots of candy while staying in the safety of their car the entire time.
There are more Halloween events, movie nights and concerts listed in the link above.
Today's Forecast
Trying to plan an outdoor event? A tropical disturbance could make for a wet weekend
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On October 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drives a truck filled with 2,000 pounds of explosives into a U.S. Marine Corps barracks at the Beirut International Airport. The explosion killed 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers. A few minutes after that bomb went off, a second bomber drove into the basement of the nearby French paratroopers’ barracks, killing 58 more people. Four months after the bombing, American forces left Lebanon without retaliating.
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m. And you can always watch the latest news from WPTV anytime on your favorite streaming device. Just search for "WPTV."
