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Florida News Digest | State and Regional News | dothaneagle.com – Dothan Eagle

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Good afternoon! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up in Florida. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Miami bureau at 305-594-5825 or miami@ap.org. Ian Mader is the news editor and can be reached at imader@ap.org. Terry Spencer is on the desk and can be reached at tspencer@ap.org. A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern. Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORIES:

FLORIDA DEMOCRATS

FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida Democratic Party leaders elected former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz on Saturday to be the state’s new party chair, hoping the Cuban American can turn the party’s fortune after losing two straight presidential races, six straight gubernatorial defeats and losses of both U.S. Senate seats. By Terry Spencer. UPCOMING: 450 words.

CAPITOL BREACH-EXPLAINING CHARGES

Dozens of people, including some Floridians, have already been arrested and prosecutors across the U.S. have vowed to bring to justice those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, sending lawmakers into hiding as they began their work to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. By Alana Durkin Richer. SENT: 850 words, photos.

EXCHANGE-SOUTHERN ROCK

Michael Ray FitzGerald, a chronicler of North Florida’s music legacy, has been getting some good reactions to his new book, “Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock,” which he says is looking as if it’s heading toward a second printing from the University Press of Florida. But he’s also ruffled some Southern pride recently in suggesting that Southern rock (“a slippery, nebulous term”) could also encompass bands from far beyond the Mason-Dixon Line, groups such as Creedence Clearwater Revival (Northern California) and the Band (from Canada!). Florida Times-Union.

EXCHANGE-TAMPA-CUBA TIES

Before Fidel Castro, before Communism, Tampa residents jokingly said their city was Cuba’s northern-most province due to the ties they shared. Cuban immigrants helped found Ybor City. Cuban tobacco was rolled in Tampa cigar factories. Tampa residents traveled to the island for weekend excursions. The link was rekindled under President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. Cruises and commercial flights connected Tampa and Havana. Scientific collaborations and art exchanges began. But President Donald Trump rolled back most of Obama’s Cuba policies, tightening restrictions and sanctions while considering placing the nation on its state-sponsored terrorism list. Tampa Bay Times.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-FLORIDA-FRAUD CHARGES — A South Florida nurse fraudulently obtained about $420,000 in coronavirus relief funds, federal prosecutors said.

IN SPORTS:

FBN–BUCCANEERS-WASHINGTON

LANDOVER, Md. — Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit NFC East champion Washington in a wild-card round matchup. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos, breakouts on merit. Game starts at 8:15 p.m. EST.

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