HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS The Florida High School Athletic Association approved by a vote of 11-5 to allow schools to start fall sports on August 24th. The Association will require that coaches make a COVID waiver form available to schools. Discussion has focused on how to move forward amid health concerns because of the coronavirus pandemic.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS KING COVID-19 has created a mess of the upcoming college football season. While several conferences and programs around the nation have elected to suspend Fall football and hope for a season in the Spring of 2021, all of Florida’s top programs want to play in the Fall. There has been steady pressure from state officials and football programs to move forward with revised schedules. Both the SEC and ACC will play in the Fall. However, it appears that the annual Florida-Florida State game will not be played this year.
FSU TASK FORCE Florida State University President John Thrasher appointed 30 members to a task force on July 6th to address racial and ethnic disparities and strengthen diversity at FSU. The President’s Task Force on Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion will be chaired by Maxine Montgomery, a professor of English. A final report will be issued at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year.
DEO CALL CENTERS In July, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity canceled contracts with two South Florida companies hired to handle overflow calls from applicants trying to access unemployment benefits through the state’s troubled system.
DELOITTE MEDICAID CONTRACT Deloitte, the vendor for Florida’s current fiasco of unemployment benefits software, is poised to be awarded a new $135 million contract to centralize and manage Florida’s Medicaid data.