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5 Things To Know On Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Posted at 6:35 AM, Oct 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-20 06:35:51-04

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. Will utilities be raised in Riviera Beach? City council member sues to stop it
Councilman Tradrick McCoy said during a Sept. 6 board meeting the district approved a utilities rate hike of 30 percent over the next 5 years. He argues the district passed the increase without providing proper notice to residents beforehand.

City Manager Jonathan Evans said the increase is about raising money. He said their current water plant has just 5 to 10 years left.

The city has 20 days to respond to McCoy's suit. He said he would rather have talks with the city's administration than go to court.

Riviera Beach sued by one of its city council members

2. Candidates hit the campaign trail with lots of stops in Florida
While Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris visited Orlando and Jacksonville on Monday, her husband was campaigning in South Florida.

President Donald Trump held two rallies in the western swing state of Arizona, but is expected to return to Florida by the end of the week and VP Pence will be in Tallahassee this weekend.

With its 29 electoral votes, Florida is crucial to both candidates, but especially so for President Donald Trump. A Florida loss would make it nearly impossible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to retain the White House over former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden.

Sen. Kamala Harris makes campaign stop in Orlando (15 minutes)

3. Final presidential debate comes with new rules
After the first debate featured constant interruptions, President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday’s debate while their rival delivers their opening two-minute answer to each of the debate topics.

The open discussion portion of the debate will not feature a mute button, but interruptions by either candidate will count toward their time in the second and final debate Thursday.

Trump's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, released a letter on social media in which he asks the Commission on Presidential Debates to "rethink and reissue a set of topics." The CPD hasn't responded to the unusual request.

Debate commission adopts new rules to mute mics

4. Honoring A Hero: Bill would rename post office after trooper killed in line of duty
A Treasure Coast congressman wants to rename the Port Salerno post office after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., introduced a bill Monday to designate the U.S. Postal Service location at 4755 SE Dixie Highway as the "Joseph Bullock Post Office Building."

Bullock, 42, was fatally shot in February while assisting a motorist whose vehicle was disabled on the side of Interstate 95 near mile marker 107 in Martin County.

Bill would rename Port Salerno post office after Trooper Joseph Bullock

5. Florida reports `1,000 coronavirus deaths in 12 days
Florida's coronavirus death toll of residents passed 16,000, including an addition of a US.-high 54 on Monday.

Florida became the fifth state in the nation to pass 16,000 deaths among residents.

It took 12 days for the death toll to pass 16,000, the same to surpass 15,000 residents Oct. 7, but nine days to surpass 14,000 and eight to go past 12,000.

Florida's coronavirus death toll of residents passed 16,000

Today's Forecast
On-and-off rainfall, but should have some breaks in the clouds to see the Orionid Meteor Shower.

Latest Weather Forecast: Tuesday 5 a.m.

Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.

On This Day In History
Fun fact here.

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