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. Try, try and try again: Publix opens more vaccine appointments
At 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the Publix website went live to book appointments for those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
This time around, appointments are also available in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that 11 Publix pharmacies in St. Lucie and eight in Indian River would begin offering appointments. That's in addition to seven in Martin County and 67 in Palm Beach County across our area.
To make an appointment at a Publix in Florida, click here.
2. DeSantis vs White House: Where does Florida's vaccination actually stand?
Biden Press Sec. Jen Psaki called out Florida on Monday for needing to boost distribution. Citing CDC data, she said vaccinators had only given out about 50% of the state's allotted shots.
Gov. Ron DeSantis responded Tuesday morning, calling Psaki's comments "disingenuous." He said most of the state's shots are second doses, held in reserve. He then pushed the feds for more supply.
"We are No. 1 in the country for doses per capita for the top ten states -- the most populous states," DeSantis said, but epidemiologists believe Florida is about average, statistically.
3. Speaking of Publix and the vaccination plan: Palm Beach County commissioner 'disgusted' by it
A top Palm Beach County official said she's "disgusted" by Gov. Ron DeSantis' plan to allow Publix pharmacies to be the primary source of distributing the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the county.
According to Palm Beach County health director Dr. Alina Alonso, the county is "very, very low on vaccine," and a majority of the doses are going to 67 Publix pharmacies as part of a pilot program with the state.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County will receive enough vaccine to finish first doses through Feb. 5. After that, Alonso said the health department will only receive vaccine for second doses.
4. Looking for a job? Tesla hosting virtual job fair for Palm Beach County positions
Tesla Inc. is is hosting a virtual job fair today from 9 a.m. to noon. To register, click here.
A total of 18 positions are available and range from entry level to professional in the solar and automotive department.
Most of the positions start at $16 per hour and come with benefits such as health insurance, leave time and company stock options.
CONTACT 5. Delray Beach business accused of selling 'counterfeit' N95 masks to Minnesota hospital
A Contact 5 investigation has found that a federal lawsuit is accusing Nationwide Source of Delray Beach of selling more than 10,000 counterfeit N95 masks to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
The lawsuit also accuses Nationwide Source of selling the masks at a markup of 625%.
3M claims it confirmed the N95 was a counterfeit, and Nationwide Source is not an authorized dealer of the company's products. Court records show a judge granted 3M a preliminary injunction on Jan. 15.
Read more at the link above.
Today's Forecast
Near record temperatures today before cool down this week:
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On Jan 27, 1967, A launch pad fire during Apollo program tests at Cape Canaveral, Florida, kills astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. An investigation indicated that a faulty electrical wire inside the Apollo 1 command module was the probable cause of the fire. The astronauts, the first Americans to die in a spacecraft, had been participating in a simulation of the Apollo 1 launch scheduled for the next month.
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