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5 Things To Know On Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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Posted at 6:54 AM, Feb 17, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-17 06:54:11-05

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. No Publix vaccine appointment window this morning
Winter weather blanketing so much of the U.S. has delayed vaccine shipments heading to Florida.

Publix has canceled its Wednesday COVID-19 vaccine appointment window due to lack of supply. The next scheduled appointment window will now be Friday morning at 7 a.m.

Publix said appointments scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday are not impacted by this change.

Wintry weather delays COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Florida

2. Spring Training returns to South Florida with some new changes
Wednesday begins a new type of spring training season, as pitchers and catchers are able to begin reporting at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. Full team workouts will start next week.

Those workouts will be closed to the public this season, which traditionally served as an opportunity for fans to get up close to the players. Fans will be allowed to attend games.

To purchase tickets and see a full schedule at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, click here.

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training

3. Did you get that Amber Alert? Don't worry! She's been found safe.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says the baby's mom went inside the house just for a second and left the car running because he didn't want to wake up the child.

It took less than a minute for the suspect to take advantage and jump inside that running vehicle and stole the car with the baby in the car, officials said.

FDLE tweeted just before 6 p.m. that the child, Tinnley Sage West, was found safe.

Deputies searching for suspect who stole SUV that had one-year-old inside

4. Biden addresses racial disparities in first presidential town hall
In President Joe Biden’s first town hall since Inauguration Day, he fielded a number of questions from citizens concerned about racial disparities and coronavirus vaccination.

Biden says he expects all American adults who want a vaccine will have access to a vaccine by July.

Biden was later asked to address finding the balance between police reform and using police to protect high-crime communities. Biden responded that he would not defund police units, but plans on giving them more funding.

Biden hosts first presidential town hall

5. Trump loses helipad, confronts McConnell
Trump's exemption from Palm Beach's helicopter-free zone rule was revoked when he left office. Demolition crews were spotted Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago removing the helipad.

In a statement released on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump aimed his grievances at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who decried Trump’s actions leading up to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

Trump also seemed to place blame at McConnell for Republicans losing control of the Senate in the 2020 election.

WEB EXTRA: Crews remove helipad at Mar-a-Lago

Today's Forecast
Unsettled weather today as a stalled front overtop of us will move north as a warm front:

Latest Weather Forecast: Wednesday 5 a.m.

Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.

On This Day In History
On Feb. 17, 1820, the Senate passes the Missouri Compromise. In exchange for admitting Missouri without restrictions on slavery, the Compromise called for bringing in Maine as a free state. The Compromise also dictated that slavery would be prohibited in all future western states carved out of the Louisiana Territory that were higher in latitude than the northern border of Arkansas Territory.

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."