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. COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in South Florida today
Hundreds of thousands coronavirus vaccinations are now on the way to hospitals across the country. Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida is expecting to receive about 20,000 vaccines come Monday.
However, in Palm Beach County, no hospitals will be a part of the first phase of vaccines that also includes long-term care facilities. Palm Beach County hospitals will need to wait another two or three weeks before they could receive the vaccination.
"What we tried to do was just pick big systems in big parts in the state," Florida Governor DeSantis said. "[The government] felt that if we had it sent to 50 hospital systems and there was problems, that it would really exacerbate the rollout of this."
2. That doesn't mean it's time to party, White House warns Florida
A White House Coronavirus Task Force report for Florida recommended stricter measures for stopping the virus including mask wearing at all times in public, increased physical distancing by reducing capacity or closing indoor spaces at restaurants and bars and limiting gatherings outside of immediate households.
"Florida has seen stability in new cases, an increase in test positivity, and increasing hospitalizations and deaths, indicating unrelenting community spread and inadequate mitigation," the Dec. 6 report said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ruled out further business restrictions or a mask mandate aimed at stopping the virus' spread.
3. Today's Electoral College vote usually wouldn't be so noted, but it's 2020
Presidential electors are meeting across the United States on Monday to formally choose Joe Biden as the nation’s next president.
The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress over which Vice President Mike Pence will preside.
The electors’ votes have drawn more attention than usual this year because President Donald Trump has refused to concede the election and continued to make baseless allegations of fraud.
4. The latest on Trump's efforts to overturn the election:
On Sunday, a Trump appointed federal judge rejected Trump’s lawsuit seeking to overturn Biden’s win in Wisconsin, the latest in a string of defeats in the extraordinary attempts to undo his loss.
On Saturday, Trump lost his challenge seeking to overturn Georgia's election results, with the state Supreme Court's rejection.
In Georgia, he has rained criticism on Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp, both fellow Republicans. He even seemed to hint he would disrupt Georgia's Senate run-off if the governor didn't do as he asked.
What a fool Governor @BrianKempGA of Georgia is. Could have been so easy, but now we have to do it the hard way. Demand this clown call a Special Session and open up signature verification, NOW. Otherwise, could be a bad day for two GREAT Senators on January 5th.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2020
On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit backed by Trump seeking to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's election victory, a move that ended a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court.
5. Florida basketball star in critical condition after terrifying moment on the court
Florida basketball star Keyontae Johnson remained in critical but stable condition Sunday morning, one day after he collapsed during the Gators' game against Florida State.
Johnson had just finished an alley-oop on a pass and celebrated with teammates as he walked toward the sideline. As the team broke its huddle, he collapsed on the court and players screamed toward the sideline for help.
Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer, but no details have been released about what might have caused Johnson to crumple to the floor.
Today's Forecast
Warmer weather slowly returning.
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On December 14, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announces a grant of amnesty for Emilie Todd Helm, his wife Mary Lincoln’s half sister and the widow of a Confederate general. The pardon was one of the first under Lincoln’s Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction.
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."
