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. Pres. Trump changes his mind about masks and "would absolutely” wear one
After long resisting wearing a mask in public, President Donald Trump says he thinks it makes him look like the Lone Ranger — and he likes it. Trump said he's “all for masks” on Wednesday.
When asked if he would wear a mask he responded,"if I were in a tight situation with people, I would absolutely.”
2. Not everyone wants to look like the Lone Ranger, lawsuit filed over mask mandate
Four Palm Beach County residents have filed a lawsuit over the mask mandate.
The suit lists seven reasons why the new law should be tossed, from alleging a violation of free speech to the right to refuse medical treatment. You can read it below.
3. Florida sheriff says he will deputize gun owners if violent protests erupt
A Florida sheriff says he will deputize every gun owner in his county to put down violent protests his deputies can't handle alone.
Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels gave no indication in a three-minute video released Wednesday that any demonstrations are planned in his suburban Jacksonville county.
Daniels is under investigation after his former employer, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, announced last year that he'd had an affair with a co-worker when he was running its jails.
Daniels, who is married, was accused of later having the woman falsely arrested. He issued an apology, but said he wouldn't discuss specifics.
4. Interactive map shows COVID-19 risk and Florida is in the red
The Harvard Global Health Institute released an interactive map on Wednesday that shows the risk of contracting the coronavirus based on daily new cases per 100,000 people.
RELATED: State's coronavirus cases rise by 6,563, death toll climbs by 45
The map has four colors – green, yellow, orange and red – to demonstrate the risk by county and state. The map shows three states – Arizona, Florida and Mississippi – in the red for where infections are high.
Click here to view the map.
5. Back to school? Back it up, parents say.
A majority of Palm Beach County parents and school district staff members want to delay the "physical" start of the upcoming school year, according to the results of a widespread new survey.
The School District of Palm Beach County said it received survey responses from 66,348 parents and guardians and 16,434 staff members about how they would like to see schools reopen for the 2020-21 school year.
According to the survey results, 45.8% of parents support delaying the start of the school year beyond the current start date of Monday, Aug. 10. 33.6% of parents do not support delaying the school year, and 20.6% are unsure.
READ SURVEY RESULTS:
Today's Forecast
Near record highs for the TC today, a few strong afternoon/evening storms possible.
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On July 2, 1964, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs into law the historic Civil Rights Act in a nationally televised ceremony at the White House.
The most sweeping civil rights legislation passed by Congress since the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, the Civil Rights Act prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education and outlawed racial segregation in public places such as schools, buses, parks and swimming pools.
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m.
