Florida plans to become first state to eliminate all childhood vaccine mandates

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida plans to eliminate all childhood vaccine mandates, a decision critics call reckless and dangerous. State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo describes current vaccine requirements as an immoral intrusion on rights. He argues that parents should make health decisions for their children. Physician groups, however, maintain that vaccines are safe and essential for preventing disease spread. Dr. Rana Alissa from the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that removing vaccines increases risks for students and staff. Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani echoes these concerns, calling the move a public health disaster in the making for Florida.

‘Ketamine Queen’ pleads guilty to selling fatal dose to Matthew Perry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” has pleaded guilty to selling Matthew Perry the ketamine that killed him. Jasveen Sangha became the fifth and final defendant charged in the overdose death of the “Friends” star to plead guilty Wednesday after an agreement with federal prosecutors. The plea means the 42-year-old will avoid a trial that had been planned for later this month. Prosecutors cast Sangha as a prolific drug dealer who sought to sell especially to celebrities and other wealthy customers. According to court documents, she sold Perry 25 vials of ketamine four days before his death from an overdose of the drug.

Hurricane Lorena intensifies off the western coast of Mexico

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Lorena is intensifying off the coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Forecasters have issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the area. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Wednesday the storm is expected to strengthen throughout the day. Heavy rain is forecast for portions of the peninsula. The weather agency warned of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in higher terrain. Lorena was centered about 145 miles west of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Meanwhile, Hurricane Kiko was a Category 2 storm as it traveled west over open waters of the Pacific. No watches or warnings are associated with Kiko.

Wildfire scorches historic California gold mining town, burning multiple homes

TUOLUMNE COUNTY, Calif. (AP) — A quick-moving wildfire has burned homes in a California Gold Rush town settled around 1850 by Chinese miners who were driven out of a nearby camp. It’s one of nearly two dozen fires burning across Northern California Wednesday. The quick-moving fire near Chinese Camp is threatening the few remaining historic structures. The roughly 100 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothills town had to evacuate. The fire also has closed a main highway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. It’s unclear whether any of the town’s Gold Rush era structures have been damaged in the fire that erupted Tuesday.