2000 redux?

Published: Oct. 23, 2020, 4 a.m.

The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 5,558 new cases of COVID-19, the highest in more than two months. The state also reported 57 more fatalities.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis travels to Fort Myers to announce the end of most state restrictions on nursing home visitation,

Donald Trump is back in Florida today for rallies at The Villages in Central Florida and Pensacola in the Panhandle.

— The ghost of the 2000 Florida recount is still haunting the Sunshine State, but one of the key figures in that drama says it won’t happen again this year.

Barry Richard was the attorney for George W. Bush during the recount. He says Florida fixed its election laws. He’s more concerned about the President undermining the elections with all his complaints about voter fraud.

— Trump and Joe Biden squared off in their final debate before Election Day. But wouldn't you rather hear from Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry? Us too!

— Bottom Line on this election: Hiaasen and Barry say they’re expecting a Florida shitshow. They spoke at a virtual fundraiser for the First Amendment Foundation.

— You’ll also hear them sing a Florida Woman song at the end of the podcast. Remember … you’ve been warned.