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5 Things To Know On Thursday, October 22, 2020

Posted at 7:18 AM, Oct 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-22 07:18:58-04

While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more!

1. The Final Debate: Trump vs Biden on WPTV at 9 p.m.
The last debate will have some new rules.

As with the first debate, both campaigns have agreed to allow each candidate two minutes of uninterrupted time to make remarks at the beginning of each 15-minute segment of the debate. Now, the mics of the candidate not answering the question will be muted for two minutes to prevent interruptions.

Moderator Kristen Welker, a White House correspondent for NBC News and co-anchor of “Weekend TODAY," announced that the following topics would be addressed: fighting COVID-19, American families, race in America, climate change, national security, and leadership.

The Final Debate: Trump vs Biden on WPTV at 9 p.m.

2. Who sent Florida Democrats threatening emails? The FBI says Iran
“We would like to alert the public that two foreign actors, Iran and Russia have taken specific actions to influence public opinion relating to our elections,” said Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe.

That email was sent to several registered Democrats which read, “We have gained access into the entire voting infrastructure. You will vote for Trump on election day, or we will come after you.”

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told Contact 5 his agency is prepared and "paying attention everywhere" to reassure voters headed to the polls or ballot drop box this election.

FBI: Threatening email to Florida Democrats a 'spoof' from a foreign government

3. Palm Beach County School Board has some big decisions to make
The board is under fire for voting to reinstate the former Spanish River Community High School principal after comments he made to a parent about the Holocaust.

Board members planned to re-evaluate the reinstatement decision from just two weeks ago. However, that vote never happened. Instead, public comments lasted for hours many against Latson's reinstatement.

The board is also evaluating Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy. Fennoy got an ‘effective’ rating which is the second highest score possible, but some board members say that doesn’t tell the whole story. The evaluation only went through June 30 and some said they would have additional concerns if it went until today due to his coronavirus response.

Palm Beach County School Board hears from public on former Principal William Latson

4. Yesterday we talked about Amendment 4, here's Amendment 6
Veterans with combat-related disabilities already get an extra homestead property tax discount. Florida voters decided that a few years ago.

Amendment 6 would allow that tax break to pass along to those veterans' spouses after the veterans' passing, as long as that spouse is still the homeowner and still lives in the home.

As with every tax break, there is a cost, and this one is estimated to be a $5 million per year hit to the local governments and schools funded by those property taxes.

Amendment 6 aims to help surviving spouse of veterans

5. Pope Francis endorses same-sex civil unions
Pope Francis endorsed gay civil unions for the first time as pope while being interviewed for a feature-length documentary that made its premiere at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday.

“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God," Pope Francis said. “What we have to have is a civil union law, that way they are legally covered.”

While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages.

WPTV Pope Francis

Today's Forecast
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On This Day In History
Fun fact here.

Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m. And you can always watch the latest news from WPTV anytime on your favorite streaming device. Just search for "WPTV."