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. Pack the umbrella! Rain to continue
After hearing constant thunder and rain for the past few hours, we're starting with the forecast today.
A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties until 8 p.m. Wednesday. A FLOOD ADVISORY is in place through this evening for Coastal Palm Beach County.
Tropical Storm Epsilon has strengthened is now a Category 1 hurricane, but by the weekend, it moves out to sea and becomes a fish storm.
2. Here to vote? Trump heading to Palm Beach after debate
After the second and final debate on Thursday, President Donald Trump is expected to fly to Palm Beach and some are speculating he'll be here to vote.
The president and first lady registered as Republican voters in Palm Beach County last year, when the president announced he was changing his official residence after he got mad at his home state of New York.
3. Where did the more than $9 million spent on Florida ballot amendment come from?
Over $9 million was spent to get Amendment 4 on the ballot this November in Florida, asking voters to limit their own ability to make changes to the state constitution.
The change would require Floridians to vote twice, in two separate elections, on amendments to the state's constitution before an amendment is approved.
Keep Our Constitution Clean, the political committee behind the push for Amendment 4, is facing legal action from the League of Women Voters because it's unclear who's behind the millions of dollars it raised to get the amendment on the ballot.
4. Florida's first-time coronavirus rates surge as CDC reports excess deaths
Florida's daily first-time coronavirus rates surged to the highest levels in a few months, from 4.84 percent to 6.17 in one day in the state and Palm Beach County from 2.62 percent to 5.50.
Usually, between the beginning of February and the end of September, about 1.9 million deaths are reported. This year, it’s closer to 2.2 million – a 14.5% increase.
5. 'School closures should be off the table,' Gov. Ron DeSantis says
No matter how severe the coronavirus may become this winter in Florida, schools will remain open.
"Schools are not drivers of spreading coronavirus, and schools need to be open. It is a bad public health policy to have schools closed," DeSantis said.
All of this comes on the same day that the head of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County said she is concerned about the second wave of coronavirus cases.
On This Day In History
On October 21, 1959, on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, thousands of people line up outside a bizarrely shaped white concrete building that resembled a giant upside-down cupcake. It was opening day at the new Guggenheim Museum, home to one of the world’s top collections of contemporary art.
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."
