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At midnight, the nearly century-old tradition of racing greyhounds in Florida will come to an end.

The battle over greyhound racing was hard fought on both sides for decades.

The first greyhound track was built in Florida in 1922, but dog racing wasn’t officially made legal until 1931.

“It was approved by the Legislature during the Great Depression as a fundraising tool for the state,” said Jack Cory, a lobbyist representing the Florida Greyhound Association.

Florida remained the hub for greyhound racing for nearly a century, but animal rights groups spent decades pushing lawmakers to end the practice.

“We strove to educate them about it. We wanted them to know that a dog died every three days in Florida. We wanted to let them know that dogs were drugged,” said Christine Dorchak, President of Grey2K USA Worldwide, which was one of the main groups that lobbied to end greyhound racing in Florida.

Anti-racing advocates didn’t find success until the Constitution Revision Commission met in 2018 and put the question before voters.

The Protect Dogs: Yes on 13 Campaign ensued.

And to the dismay of the racing industry, 69 percent of voters approved the amendment.

“It’s a sad commentary when the constitution is used by out of state radical groups to hurt the economy of the State of Florida,” said Cory.

Anti-racing advocates now have their sights set on West Virginia.

“The trend is definitely with the greyhounds. We’re very hopeful that the cruelty of dog racing is going to end, not just in this country, but across the globe,” said Dorchak.

As for the dogs, greyhound industry advocates estimate two thirds will be adopted out, while the rest will likely go on to continue racing in the four states where tracks still to operate.

The final greyhound race will be run at Derby Lane, the oldest existing track in Florida founded in 1925.

It’s scheduled for 11:59 PM, just one minute before the ban takes effect.

As many Americans prepare to finish out their fantasy football seasons this week, a State Senator is hoping next year you may be able to legally play for money.

A bill to legalize sports betting has been filed for the 2021 legislative session.

According to LegalSportsReport.com, legal sports wagering in 19 states and the District of Columbia has generated $340 million in tax revenue over the past two and a half years.

“This activity is occurring in Florida today,” said State Senator Jeff Brandes.

Brandes wants Florida to get in on the action.

His proposal would put the Department of the Lottery in charge of regulating sports betting.

“This would allow a much more legitimate way to play,” said Brandes.

The bill would permit betting on both collegiate and professional sports.

Winnings would be taxed at 15 percent.

Athletes, coaches, referees and management would be banned from betting.

And as with the lottery, revenues generated would go towards education.

“To expand the great school offerings we have in the state,” said Brandes.

FSU sport management professor Dr. Jason Pappas said it could also help boost revenues for college teams, which have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“This would be another huge revenue stream that would offset some of those costs and I truly believe over the long term would actually increase probably bigger than any other revenue source that’s out there when it comes to sport,” said Dr. Pappas.

The odds are generally against any gambling legislation passing in Florida.

Next year things will be further complicated as lawmakers attempt to negotiate a new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.

Brandes hopes his bill can stand on its own.

“Doing it through the lottery, we’re not giving anybody anymore leverage against us in terms of withholding funds if somebody technically breaks the compact,” said Brandes.

This is the second year in a row the bill has been filed.

Last year it wasn’t heard by any committees, but there is new leadership this year deciding which bills are taken up.

The state’s latest vaccine report shows more than 122,000 Floridians have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Florida Director of Emergency Management Jared Moskowitz told us the actual number is likely around 150,000.

“It’s taking providers up to 72 hours to enter the information,” said Moskowitz.

Moskowitz said vaccinations have slowed down in recent days due to the holiday season, but he anticipates distribution of the 900,000 doses the state has received so far to ramp up in the coming days.

“We’ve impressed upon the hospitals and our county health departments and all of our partners out there that we need to pick up the pace, but that’s why I said I think when we get on the other side of this holiday season you’re going to see that happen,” said Moskowitz.

How quickly the state gets to Phase II of its vaccine distribution plan depends on two factors: How many vaccines the state gets, and how many people over the age of 65 opt to get vaccinated.

“If 60 or 70 percent of 65 and older people want the vaccine, then it will take a little longer to get to the next group,” said Moskowitz.

So far one out of five Floridians who have received the vaccine are 65 or older, but Moskowitz expects that share will grow as Phase I ramps up after the new year.

And while the state decided to prioritize vaccinating the elderly over essential workers, Moskowitz said there will be concentrated efforts to ensure access to the vaccine among rural and minority communities.

“That’s why we’re trying houses of worship this weekend. If that turns out to be a good mode of getting the vaccine out in the African American community, we’ll expand that,” said Moskowitz.

And the Director said negative reactions to the vaccine have been rare.

As a precaution, kits to treat anaphylactic shock are on hand where the vaccine is being given.

At the start of 2021 Florida’s minimum wage will rise nine cents, but the pay raise isn’t the only change the state will see.

The new year will also bring new laws and the end to a century-old Florida industry.

Employers will have to begin checking the immigration status of their new hires through the federal e-verify system or by collecting I-9 forms starting January 1st.

The Governor earlier this year suggested it will ensure legal citizens are first in line to be hired.

“That could actually be something that’s even more important now given that people are going to be needing jobs,” said governor Ron DeSantis in March.

But others like the ACLU worry it will make the hiring process more difficult.

“Businesses don’t need more obstacles right now for hiring new workers and that’s exactly what E-Verify does. Businesses need flexibility and E-Verify ties their hands,” said Kara Gross with the ACLU of Florida.

New Year’s Day will also see penalties doubled for illegally passing a school bus.

Fines will be set at $200 or $400 depending on which side of the bus a driver passes.

“We’re sending a message that we’re taking this seriously. Pay attention to the roads, especially when there’s young children that are going on and off of the school bus,” said House sponsor State Representative Emily Slosberg.

The start of 2021 will also mark the end of greyhound racing in the state, which is required by a 2018 constitutional amendment that won 69 percent of the vote.

“These dogs will not have to race for their lives any longer and will be able to be regular dogs,” said Kate MacFall with Protect Dogs: Yes on 13.

There are 3,000 Florida jobs associated with greyhound racing, but those in the industry have had time to prepare.

“So they have been processing the animals to adoption homes,” said Jack Cory, a lobbyist representing the Florida Greyhound Association.

The last greyhound racing event will take place on December 31st at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

The final race is scheduled for 11:59 PM, just a minute before the ban goes into effect.

The majority of Florida’s racing greyhounds are being adopted out.

Advocates we spoke with recommended going to petfinder.com if you’re looking to adopt.

When lawmakers return to the Capitol after the new year, COVID will impact how lawmakers meet.

Both the House and Senate have adopted separate policies for keeping the Capitol safe while still attempting to keep committee proceedings open to the public.

Lawmakers have had to strike a balance between open government and public health as they prepare for January committee meetings.

“It’s just really hard to keep government open to the public when coronavirus is still so rampant out there,” said Pamela March with the First Amendment Foundation.

All members of the House and Senate will be required to receive a negative COVID test before entering the Capitol at the start of each week.

The House is limiting the number of people who can attend and requiring them to register in advance.

“So you’re going to have lobbyists, you’re going to have media and you’re going to have advocates and you’re going to have people that just want to observe vying for those few places online and somebody is bound to get left out,” said Marsh.

The Senate is allowing reporters in committee rooms, but limiting in-person testimony to invite only.

“They both have their ups and downs and I don’t think there’s any ill intent,” said Marsh. “I think no matter what happens we’re going to have less diversity of opinion.”

All others who want to testify in the Senate will be able to do so virtually at a nearby civic center.

State Rep Carlos Guillermo Smith sees it as a missed opportunity because people will still have to travel to the Capitol.

“Isn’t it just as easy to allow others to testify virtually in other remote places across the state?” said Smith.

But State Senator Danny Burgess feels a proper balance has been struck.

“The bottom line is nobody is going to operate in the dark. We’re going to make sure that Florida operates the way it’s supposed to regardless of how we have to move forward,” said Burgess.

The rules apply only to the first round of committee meetings.

Lawmakers hope if the virus begins to recede, more accessibility to the Capitol will be permitted when the 2021 session officially begins on March 2nd.

Florida won’t be following CDC recommendations for Phase II of the COVID vaccine rollout.

The Governor announced Wednesday he will be signing an executive order, making clear the state’s priority for vaccinating Floridians aged 65 and older.

The decision is being applauded by some healthcare groups.

The COVID vaccine is rolling out and first on the list, per CDC guidance, are healthcare workers and long term care residents and staff.

“Employees get tears in their eyes, the residents are emotional because finally we’re seeing some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of the Florida Health Care Association.

Emmett Reed, Executive Director of the Florida Health Care Association says he believes Phase I could be completed very soon.

“The way that I’m seeing it, it’s a matter of weeks,” said Reed.

But for Phase II, Florida will go its own way.

CDC recommendations say essential workers and people 75 years and older should be next on the list.

Instead, Governor Ron DeSantis will prioritize Floridians aged 65 and up.

“We are not going to put young healthy workers ahead of our elderly vulnerable population,” said DeSantis in a press conference Tuesday.

The move is being applauded by the Florida Hospital Association.

“They are at greatest risk of COVID-19. They are certainly those that are most at risk of becoming hospitalized,” said Mary Mathew, FHA President.

According to AARP more than 70 percent of COVID fatalities nationwide have been people over the age of 65.

With hospitalizations more than doubling since September, Mayhew hopes targeting the elderly will ensure open beds for COVID and non-COVID patients alike.

“We know cancer, heart attacks, that hasn’t gone away and we need to make sure that there’s capacity in the system to support those needs as well,” said Mayhew.

At 4.4 million, Florida has more people aged 65 and up than any other state.

Under the Governor’s plan, one out of five Floridians will qualify for the vaccine in Phase II.

Individuals and businesses can expect to see COVID relief coming from Washington after lawmakers agreed on a nearly $900 billion stimulus package, and more help could be coming through the state next year when the Florida Legislature starts its 2021 session.

Lawmakers on pandemic committees in both the House and Senate are already floating ideas for what they hope to accomplish.

After finishing up the 2020 session in March, the Florida Legislature has had essentially no role in responding to the pandemic.

“There’s no question that we have a lot of work to do,” said State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith.

Smith will serve on the House’s Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee.

He said he hopes to see the Legislature provide financial relief to small businesses and help Floridians who have fallen behind on rent and utilities.

“States like Virginia for example passed $100 million in utility relief,” said Smith.

State Senator Danny Burgess is chairing the Senate’s pandemic committee.

He’s advocating for liability protections for businesses, to prevent frivolous pandemic related lawsuits.

“We just need to make sure that we’re doing what we can to allow others to feel comfortable opening their doors and to continue to build on our economy,” said Burgess.

Along with relief, the committees will also be looking at the state’s response to the pandemic to better prepare for a similar threat in the future.

“We also need to think long term. And long term, not if this happens again, but when this happens again. Because viruses were here before us and viruses are going to be here after us,” said Burgess.

And part of that will include looking at the use of emergency powers by local governments and the Governor.

“There needs to be more stakeholders at the table. More people providing oversight and input,” said Smith.

So far none of these proposals have actually been filed as legislation, but the lawmakers we spoke with told us there are already drafts in the works.

Both pandemic response committees will meet for the first time on January 14th.

Outstanding gallantry in the apprehension of a suspect committing a criminal act is how the actions of a State Trooper were described earlier this week as he was being named Trooper of the Year. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, this story begins in Citrus County with a stolen truck and a thief who tried to run two deputies down.

The call for assistance came from Citrus County sheriffs deputies. They were in pursuit of of a stolen truck. 

“All I had to do was travel the opposite direction and meet up with them” trooper Curtis Vaughn told us. 

When they passed Vaughn did a U turn.

Speeds climbed. The suspect had been in a chase just six months before this April 2019 incident. He was able to keep the Trooper at behind him. FHP Director Gene Spaulding says shots were fired from the pickup.

“He fired at least three shots. One of them sticking the windshield of one of the backup patrol cars.”

Trooper Vaughn was watching the silhouette of the driver “After the shots were fired. I didn’t see the movement, I just suspected he was still trying to shoot at us.”

“Without hesitation, Trooper vaughn continued his pursuit” says Spaulding.

At speeds topping 80 miles an hour Trooper Vaughn attempts several PIT or Pursuit and Intervention technique. His problem. The F 250 truck far out weights the FHP Charger, so his target is the ten inch trailer hitch on the back of the pickup. Vaughn says he was in his comfort zone.

“I was doing something I knew I had confidence in  and I knew…just my ability was driving a car.”

 At the Cabinet meeting where he Vaughn was honored, his speech was brief….afterwards we asked how he felt the night it was all over. Suprisingly, he said: 

“Another day. Normal night. I try to keep myself down here for a reason.”

For Trooper Vaughn it was just another day at the office…on wheels.

“Well done.. god Bless” added the Governor after passing the resolution naming him Trooper of the Year.

Earlier this year, the driver, 24 year old Travis Lovett was sentenced to 50 years in Prison.

VO/SOT: Unemployment

Six hundred and fifty one thousand Floridians remained unemployed in November. The rate was six point four percent, the same as it was in October, and Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Economist Adrianne Johnson says some businesses are hiring.

“The good news is we are seeing people come back into the labor market, so our labor force is growing” says Johnson. “Businesses are creating jobs, so we are seeing things come back. We are seeing people engage in the labor market, which is what we want to see.”

A projection through 2028 by the department says nurse practitioners will be the fastest growing job in the state, followed by arts and entertainment, and hospitality.

Six hundred and fifty one thousand Floridians remained unemployed in November. The rate was six point four percent, the same as it was in October, and Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Economist Adrianne Johnson says some businesses are hiring.

“The good news is we are seeing people come back into the labor market, so our labor force is growing” says Johnson. “Businesses are creating jobs, so we are seeing things come back. We are seeing people engage in the labor market, which is what we want to see.”

A projection through 2028 by the department says nurse practitioners will be the fastest growing job in the state, followed by arts and entertainment, and hospitality.

Florida Law Enforcement officers have a new tool to help them spot PTSD in themselves and co-workers. The goal of the on line delivery program developed at Florida State is to help officers understand why  and when they are feeling abnormal stress and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, how to manage what they are feeling.

Few of us go to work and the first assignment is dealing with a dead body

But for cops, dead bodies, physical threats, and constant danger are the job.

Carrie Pettus-Davis is the founder of the FSU Institute for Justice Research and Development, and was instrumental in developing the training program Resiliency Behind the Badge.

“Rates of depression and trauma in law enforcement officers is five times higher than the general population” said Pettus-Davis during a virtual news conference. 

Unveiled Thursday, the three hour course seeks to help officers recognize PTSD in themselves and fellow cops. Walton County Sherif Michael Adkinson believes the program will save taxpayers.

“You want to mitigate use of force and you want better customer service for the citizens that we serve, the thing you have to do is provide healthier officers” says Adkinson. 

Another goal of the online program is to help officers understand why after multiple incidents, they can’t shake their anxiousness.

A portion of the training program, Resiliency Behind the Badge, explains why it might be hard to return to normal:

“After a period of extremely stressful experiences, or even one experience, your brain’s emergency response system may not reset, and allow yours body and brain to fully calm back down.”

House Speaker Chris Sprowls told this story on how one officer coped with the possibility he wasn’t going home that night.

“He walked up to the car and placed his thumb on the back of the car, on the bumper. And I asked him, why did you do that? What were you doing with your thumb on the car? And he said, it something happened to me, I wanted to be easily identifiable that this was the car that I had stopped” relayed Sprowls.

The program and went live today and will be free for Florida’s 34 thousand sworn sheriff’s employees.

The Sheriffs Association says the new program is expected to save tax payer money now going to medical care for physical and mental ailments caused by PTSD.

Florida’s Executive Clemency Board today granted a full pardon to a man who was convicted back in 1994. Other cases it heard at its quarterly meeting go back even further, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, those seeking the states mercy may soon find an easier path to normalcy.

On July First this year, there were 24, 400 people waiting for a hearing before the Clemency Board. Wednesday’s agenda had just 82 cases.

Which is why this announcement from the Governor comes as good news.

“But if we can crank out some of this stuff without having to have people come here, then I think that would be good and allow us to do more” DeSantis told fellow board members are he proposed a rule change.

The Governor then read 20 names. “So the cases I just read are denied.”

After than, the board approved relief for 11 others.

“Im grateful for your time today. Said applicant Michael Ross. He came asking for firearm authority after a 1994 marijuana conviction. He left with a full pardon instead.

Ross first applied for mercy twelve years ago.

It’s been a lot of wait, but now I feel the weights been lifted off of me. I’m very blessed and thankful” said the newly pardoned man.

Daniel Tatak of Bonita Springs came asking for a pardon after a 1996 drug conviction. He got it.

“So it’s taken twelve years for a full pardon.”

“How do you feel” we asked.

“I feel great” said Daniel. “You know, it does take a long time but these are things  that I was warned about before I committed them.”

The rule change will likely be voted upon at the Bards next meeting in March.

The coming change is music to the ears of Nikki Fried, who has fought for new rules since before being elected.

“So starting to see movement on the rules changes is going to be a big benefit to our state.”

The rules making clemency more difficult were first approved in 2011.

Amendment four giving non violent felons the right to vote was passed in 2018 over frustrations and delays getting before the Clemency Board.

The video of law enforcement serving of a search warrant at the home of a former sate data scientist last week has been viewed tens of thousands of times. Today, as Mike Vasilinda tells us,  the Commissioner of the Department of Law Enforcement defended his agents actions.

The Department of Law Enforcement says its agents waited for more than 20 minutes before Rebekah Jones, suspected of sending an unauthorized message on a state platform, opened the door for police to serve a search warrant. On body cam video she is heard to say “He just pointed a gun at my children”.

On twitter she has called them Gestapo, and attacked their motives. 

Today, FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen pushed back, saying “Nowhere in anyone of those videos did you see an agent pointing a gun at a child’s head.”

Now the Department of Law Enforcement is saying it is standard procedure for guns to be drawn every time a search warrant is served.

“During that 23 minutes, every hard drive in that apartment could have been wiped” says Swearingen. “They could have been arming themselves. They could have been barricading themselves.”

Fand Swearingen says Jones has a history of attacking police, citing a 2015 incident when she refused to leave her office at Louisiana State after being dismissed.

“When he advised her she was under arrest, she resisted. She kicked him in the groin.”

And Jones continues to fight a 2019 misdemeanor stalking charge over an encounter with a former lover.

The Governor today praising the way agents acted. “I mean, when they are smeared unfairly, that’;s not something that we want.”

Only Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who oversees FDLE as a cabinet member has doubts.

“And when there are children in the home, the highest level of concern needed to have been addressed” says Fried.

FDLE would not comment on the specifics of the case or what they have found on the computers they seized, saying only the investigation is on going.

Jones did not return our text or call seeking a response.

The Governor and Cabinet today chose Pete Antonacci from a field of six to run the states Division of Administrative Hearings. The agency settles disputes between people and state agencies in a quasi judicial hearing. Antonacci has served in the highest levels of state government for decades.

“And I spent over eight years of my life representing the State of Florida in criminal cases. I had another part of my career where I spent a lot of time in this building and learned how agencies work and interact with our Cabinet and each other. I served int he private sector. I spent almost fifteen years of my life representing clients” Antonacci told the Governor and Cabinet before being selected.

Only Democrat Nikki Fried voted no, saying Antonacci has been a political appointee since 2012, arguing the best choice was one of the judges who applied that has served in the agency.

Florida cast its twenty nine electoral voters for President Donald Trump this afternoon in the State Capitol. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, it was a bittersweet moment for many of them.

Florida’s 29 electors come from all parts of state.

“28 electors are present. One elector is not present” chimed the reading clerk shortly after the two pm start and roll call.

The absent elector, Senate President Wilton Simpson tested positive Sunday. State Senator Jeff Brandes was elected to take his place.

“Obviously shocked” was Brandes’ reaction.  “Our prayers are with him, as he’s kinda going through this right now. I spoken with him today and he’s in good spirits.”

Each of the Electors here hand picked by the Republican Party of Florida.

“I was a surrogate for President Trump in the Jacksonville area” says state Representative and Elector Jason Fischer. “I was an RNC delegate for the President.” 

Fischer is proud to be one of the people making history today as he described his fellow electors.

“Some elected. Some people are grassroots activists, and some people who have been active in the party for a very long time” says Fischer.

And for many of the twenty-nine Trump supporters, todays vote was bittersweet.

Dr. Roy Hinman is an Elector from St. Augustine

“Well, as they say up North, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings. I think that was Yogi Berra,, so I don’t think the fat lady has sung up to this point” says Hinman.

Each elector signed and certified their vote as required by the Constitution.

”Thank you for performing your constitutional duty today” said Secretary of State Laurel Lee after the votes were cast.

State GOP Chair Joe Gruters says even if the Presidents challenges fall short, he will still be a national force.

“Whether or not he starts preparing for the 2024 cycle. I think there’s as lot of people around the state that will continue to support him” says the GOP Chair.

The vote is now forwarded to the congress, that votes to accept or reject on January sixth.Only once in the nations history, 1824, has the US House chosen a President after no candidate got a majority. It elected John Quincy Adams over Henry Clay.