🌱 LA Chain Fatburger Coming To Orlando + OCPS Reports 1,000+ COVID Cases

Happy Wednesday, Orlando! Here's everything you need to know going on in Orlando today.

First, today's weather:

Nice with sun, some clouds. High: 77 Low: 61.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Orange County Public Schools reported more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases among faculty, staff and students as schools reopened for the spring semester. The county said, "Due to recent changes in state law, schools and school districts cannot require students to wear masks. However, we are strongly encouraging it." (Orlando Weekly)

2. Hospital data has become the latest battleground on a COVID-19 information war with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Marco Rubio attacking hospital data and downplaying increasing hospitalizations. Hospital leaders pushed back on the attempts to downplay the difficult situations they are facing as the omicron COVID-19 variant sets case records. (WFTV)

3. A well-known Black activist was arrested on Tuesday at a press conference held by Governor Ron DeSantis in Jacksonville. Ben Frazier of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville is charged with trespassing and will have to appear in court, according to a report obtained by Tampa Bay Times. Frazier said, "What about the voice of the people? The governor is afraid to meet with the people." (Creative Loafing Tampa / Tampa Bay Times)

4. A Florida hospital has closed its maternity ward until further notice due to staff shortages related to recent outbreaks of COVID-19. Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale said the hospital’s neonatal intensive care and post-partum units will remain open. (WSVN)

5. Iconic Los Angeles hamburger chain Fatburger is set to open locations in the Orlando area. FAT brands plans to open 10 stores in Florida and will take about six years to come to fruition. No opening date has been announced. (Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• Immersive Van Gogh (Off-Peak) at Orange County Convention Center. (10:00 AM)
• Lady Braves Basketball Vs. Lake Nona at Boone High School. (6:00 PM)
• Orlando Magic Vs. Philadelphia 76ers at Amway Center. (7:00 PM)
• Macro (Close-Up) Nature Photography With Milton Heiberg at Harry P. Leu Gardens. (7:00 PM)
• Three Kings Are Coming at Orlando Dream Center Inc. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Correction: A previous version of this newsletter said Ding Tea was at Mall of Millenia. It is located in Millenia Plaza at 4780 Millenia Plaza, not Mall of Millenia.
• Florida reported 51,644 new COVID-19 cases to the CDC on Monday. 85,635 infections were added over the weekend. 5,299 people were admitted to hospitals with COVID in Florida on Monday, up from 4,485 on December 31st. (WPLG Local 10)
• Orange County Public Schools said Monday children won't be counted absent if parents decide to keep them home as long as they keep up with their school work. (Twitter)

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That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.