Florida
A new COVID variant has been detected in Florida: CDC
FLORIDA – A newly identified COVID-19 variant is being monitored by federal health agencies after spreading to multiple states, including Florida. While early signs are raising some concern, experts say it’s still too soon to fully understand how significant the strain could become.
What we know:
The new variant, known as BA.3.2 and nicknamed the “Cicada variant,” was first detected in South Africa in November 2024. It later appeared in the United States in 2025 and has since been identified in roughly 25 states through wastewater surveillance.
In Florida, only two cases had been reported to the CDC as of mid-February. Experts say that number remains very small compared to overall COVID-19 cases nationwide.
The World Health Organization has classified the variant as “under monitoring,” meaning it is being tracked but is not currently considered a major global threat.
What we don’t know:
Health experts say it’s still too early to determine how contagious or severe the variant may be.
It’s also unclear whether the mutations seen in BA.3.2 will significantly impact vaccine effectiveness or immunity from prior infections. More data is expected in the coming months.
What they’re saying:
Dr. Steven Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer of HealthTrackRX, says the variant is showing some early warning signs.
He notes the strain has multiple mutations that could potentially make it more resistant to existing immunity, though that has not been confirmed.
Goldberg said, “The number affected with this particular variant in the U.S. right now is still very, very small. It’s like one in 100 COVID cases are from this particular variant.”
Symptoms:
Doctors say symptoms linked to the Cicada variant appear similar to other COVID-19 strains and respiratory infections, including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Body aches
Big picture view:
The variant is becoming more dominant in parts of Europe, which is drawing attention from U.S. health officials.
Still, experts stress there is no immediate cause for alarm. Instead, they say this is a situation to watch closely as more information becomes available.
Health officials expect to have a clearer understanding of the variant’s spread and impact by early summer.
For now, experts recommend staying vigilant and continuing to follow general public health guidance if needed.
The Source: This article is based on reporting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and an interview with Dr. Steven Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer of HealthTrackRX.
TAMPA, Fla – New SNAP restrictions will start Monday in Florida.
What we know:
These changes will ban the purchase of many sugary sodas, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed, shelf-stable prepared desserts.
Hunger Free America, an advocacy group, is against these restrictions.
Joel Berg, the CEO, said some regulation is a good thing, but he wants to see it support access to healthy foods as a choice.
“We do support mandates to mandate that healthier food is available in stores that do accept SNAP,” Berg said. “So, it makes a lot more sense to make it easier to get healthier food.”
Berg said these restrictions are unnecessary in achieving a healthier America.
“We should make America healthier again by making healthy food more affordable, convenient and physically available,” Berg said. “We shouldn’t micromanage the eating patterns of adults to try to achieve that goal.”
The other side:
This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”
What they’re saying:
Berg said that these changes, on top of cuts to the program nationwide, will increase hunger.
“It’s not that low-income Americans don’t want healthier food; it’s that they can’t afford healthier food,” Berg said.
This coincides with the announcement that there will be cuts to WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which supplies food to mothers and young children.
“President Trump’s budget just announced that he’s proposing taking away fruits and vegetables from the WIC program for pregnant women and children under five,” Berg said. “So, they’re taking away healthier food.”
The WIC cuts would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from 5.4 million people.
Big picture view:
The SNAP changes come as part of the MAHA movement and include more than 20 other states that will implement changes over the next two years.
The Source: Information in this story comes from WIC, SNAP and interviews done by Fox 13’s Danielle Zulkosky.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.
“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.
What to expect
- 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
- 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
- 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
- Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.
For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.
Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.
Other Friday highlights included:
- 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
- 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
- 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
- 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
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With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A quiet Monday turned into a frantic race against time when a deputy stepped in to save a choking 1-year-old’s life.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call about a 1-year-old baby choking. Upon arrival, the responding deputy performed life-saving procedures to help the child breathe again.
See also: Two arrested after 6-year-old arrives at Florida school with bruises, deputies say
Body camera video shows a deputy holding the baby, flipping it over on its stomach, and beginning to pat the baby’s back.
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When the baby begins to cry, the deputy is heard saying, “he’s good.”
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