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. Criminalization of homelessness? West Palm Beach passes controversial ordinance
West Palm Beach city commissioners just passed a controversial amendment of an ordinance minus one portion that caused controversy.
Commissioners set out to pass an amendment that regulates certain behaviors such as panhandling, public urination, and sleeping/camping in public areas in downtown, and in the Northwood neighborhood.
In the end, the commissioners came to a compromise. The ordinance passed but without the camping/sleeping portion. Along with the ordinance is a $500 penalty or 60 days in jail if someone is caught by police.
2. Need help feeding your family? Two food distributions to be held today
Feeding South Florida is sponsoring two food distributions in Palm Beach County on Tuesday to help families put food on the table.
The first one will be held at the Wells Recreation Community Center on Blue Heron Boulevard, across the street from City Hall. The other distribution site is in Lake Work Beach at HATCH 1121 which is located on Lucerne Avenue.
Both food distributions are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or until supplies last.
3. Florida positivity rate soars before projected Christmas rise
Florida's daily first-time positivity rate reached 11.08 percent, which is the highest in five months, as Palm Beach County's percentage was 10.38, the highest in one month. The state considers anything above 5 percent in the dangers threshold.
After the first two deaths in Florida were announced on March 6, the death toll has reached 21,308 for an average of 72 per day.
The state reported Monday there are currently 6,104 hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, which is the first time it reached 6,000 since Aug. 13 and 192 more in one day.
4. Bernie Sanders and President Trump working together? Sort of.
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on Monday that he will filibuster a vote on Tuesday to override a presidential veto on the National Defense Authorization Act in hopes of calling a vote for larger stimulus checks.
The proposal for $2,000 stimulus checks, which was first pitched in the spring by Sanders and a group of other progress senators, has garnered the support of President Donald Trump.
Originally, Trump said he was going to withhold support of a broad stimulus package, but relented. The stimulus bill he signed on Sunday will provide most Americans making less than $75,000 a year a $600 check.
Give the people $2000, not $600. They have suffered enough! https://t.co/2jOVCnGtXS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
5. How did Ghislaine Maxwell's strange bail proposal work out? Denied.
A federal judge on Monday denied bail to Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and heiress and longtime confidant of convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this month, Maxwell's attorneys filed a motion asking Judge Alison Nathan to grant Maxwell a $28.5 million bail, including 24-hour security and GPS monitoring.
Maxwell, the one-time girlfriend of disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, faces federal charges for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple girls.
Today's Forecast
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On This Day In History
On December 29, 1890, in one of the final chapters of America’s long Indian wars, the U.S. Cavalry kills 146 Sioux at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.
The conflict at Wounded Knee was originally referred to as a battle, but in reality it was a tragic and avoidable massacre.
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