Issac Morgan, Florida Phoenix

As the November general election draws near, only one debate had been scheduled between Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist.

But that debate, originally set to be hosted by television station WPEC next week, has been postponed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, according to a Tuesday announcement from the station.

On Wednesday, the Crist campaign responded to the news by saying his campaign is working with DeSantis’ team to secure a debate as soon as possible. Crist, a former GOP Florida governor and U.S. House of Representatives member, had accepted three invitations for a debate but DeSantis has only accepted one. ...

So far, the state’s investigation has resulted in arrests in those populated counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange and Hillsborough counties. In all five of those counties, Democrats have much higher voter registration compared to Republicans, according to data from the state division of elections. Florida voters go to the polls Tuesday for primary elections.

For instance, state data show that Broward has 597,190 registered Democrats, compared to 262,390 Republicans. Overall, Democrats make up 48 percent of voters in Broward. DeSantis chose Broward last week when he held a press conference on election fraud in Fort Lauderdale.

Miami-Dade has 576,319 registered Democrats and 429,422, with about 38 percent Democrats. In Orange County in central Florida, about 42 percent of voters are Democrats; In Hillsborough, about 37 percent and Palm Beach, 40 percent. ...

As controversy over COVID-19 vaccines for young children in Florida continues, the state Department of Health said Monday that children under 5 will be getting the doses soon.

“Shipments to providers from the federal government should arrive within the coming days,” Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for the state’s health department, said in an email Monday to the Florida Phoenix.

That said, Redfern was clear that the health department will not be distributing the vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years. “We do not recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for most children, and we advise parents to speak with their children’s pediatrician.”...

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday was still refusing to order COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government, for the country’s youngest children. But by Friday, the governor had “reversed course and is now ordering vaccines,” according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“We are encouraged that after repeated failures by Governor DeSantis to order COVID-19 vaccines even after every other state had ordered, the State of Florida is now permitting health care providers to order COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest children. We believe it is critical to allow parents everywhere to have the choice to get their kids vaccinated and have a conversation with their pediatrician or health care provider,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

She added: “Even though Governor DeSantis reversed course and is now ordering vaccines, we will pull every lever to get pediatricians across Florida vaccines as quickly as possible. This is an encouraging first step, and we urge the state to order vaccines for its state and local health departments, so that all Florida parents have the opportunity to get their children vaccinated.”...

Members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus on Monday announced that they will host a “Stay Woke Go Vote” event on May 21 to launch the campaign.

They’ve also started an online petition and text campaign to encourage Florida voters to make their voices heard by participating in the election process.

“I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues and supporters across the state as we launch ‘Stay Woke Go Vote,’ ” state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat representing parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, said in a written statement....