Brevard County

The young scientists from Viera wanted to learn whether a component in horseshoe blood can detect bacteria in space. Judges selected the project to ride up in a SpaceX rocket to the ISS.

Scientists are scratching their heads over the number of leprosy cases in Brevard and Volusia, leaving some to believe it may be endemic to the area.

The doctors hope the data helps other physicians whose patients have symptoms that align with leprosy but wouldn’t think to check for it. There have been 15 cases in Florida this year, mostly in Brevard.

The first med school in Brevard, through an arrangement with FIT and New Mexico's Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, will open as the state faces a shortage of physicians.

An energetic 7-year-old diagnosed with a rare terminal brain-stem tumor will travel to Washington, D.C., for an experimental therapy. Her family conducted a “Brave the Shave” event to bolster the girl's spirits.

If weekly COVID-19 cases drop below 50 per 100,000 residents, the superintendent will switch to a policy with a parental opt-out. As of last week, the rate is 126 per 100,000.

Brevard's mandate was approved by a 3-2 school board vote, while Lee's was enacted by a decision by the interim superintendent.

The penalties come after a judge ruled that an executive order blocking school mandates was unconstitutional. Also, two more districts enacted strict mandates and the governor said an appeal was expected.

A measure to protect Florida public employees who use medical marijuana stalled this legislative session, leaving a disconnect between restrictive federal laws and permissive local laws.

Orange County said it will continue to enforce its mask mandate as it has through most of the pandemic. Volusia and Brevard will not have additional regulations.