Tropical Storm Elsa brought strong winds and rain to the Gulf Coast near Cedar Key on Wednesday as it moved past just 35 miles offshore. People who live and work on the small island were prepared to get some of the first and worst impacts of the storm.

President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have both approved emergency assistance as crews continue working at the scene of a collapsed beachfront condominium building in Surfside as dozens remain missing.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In honor of Black History Month, News4Jax is sharing local places and people in the history of our community. Charles attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine from 1937 to 1945. Before becoming an Olympian and NFL star Jacksonville Native “Bullet” Bob Hayes went to Matthew Gilbert High School where he played football and ran track. Now, every year, the top high school athletes from around the country compete for the top prize. On March 20th, the 56th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational Track and Field Meet will be held at Raines High School.

Florida reported 194 additional deaths on Friday, bringing the state’s total to 22,666. There were 1,033 additional cases added in Duval County on Friday -- the fourth day in a row of increases over 1,000. St. Johns County added 303 cases Friday, its second-highest single-day increase. So far, more than 443,616 people -- just over 2% of the state’s population -- have received a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida. That total includes 20,409 in Duval County, 8,918 in St. Johns and 4,205 in Clay.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Questions remain in the death of a 56-year-old Miami Beach doctor who died Sunday, just a little over two weeks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, our sister station WPLG-TV in Miami reported. It is not clear, however, if the 56-year-old doctor’s death is related to the shot, but an investigation is underway. A Facebook post by Michael’s wife described him as “very healthy.” His website said he was an avid tournament and big game fisherman and also a rescue certified scuba diver. “We are actively investigating this case, but don’t believe at this time there is any direct connection to the vaccine. The CDC, who has been tasked with reviewing vaccine safety, stated that their thoughts are with the family.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a surprising ruling, the Florida Supreme Court has refused the state’s efforts to reinstate the death penalty for two convicted murders, and the decision will mean at least 100 other murderers facing death will get another chance at life in prison. In 2016, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that anyone sentenced to death by a less than unanimous jury after 2002 was entitled to a new sentence. Following that January ruling, the state moved to send two murderers back to death row on their old death sentence. Pete Mills is the Chair of the Florida Public Defenders Death Penalty Steering Committee. And if the state doesn’t want to seek the death penalty again, those convicted will remain in prison for life with no chance of parole.

A semi-truck driver escaped without any injuries early Friday morning after his truck crashed into Pellicer Creek, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Click above to watch live Flordia Department of Transportation camera in the areaThis happened near the St. Johns/Flagler County line at 4:30 a.m. and the rig went almost completely underwater. At 10:45 a.m., one northbound lane remains blocked as crews work to remove the wreckage from the creek. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.