Associated Press

Under Florida law, a death sentence requires a unanimous vote on at least one count. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will formally issue the life sentences on Nov. 1.

Biden has pledged that the US government will not abandon Puerto Rico as it starts to rebuild again, five years after the more powerful Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017.

The president said Gov. DeSantis, with whom he has clashed politically, was “extremely happy” with the federal response he is providing after one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US.

Fuel disruptions have forced grocery stores, gas stations, schools, and other businesses to temporarily close as the demand for diesel to feed generators grows after Fiona hit the island more than 10 days ago.

One of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States, Ian’s tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 415 miles, drenching much of Florida and the southeastern Atlantic coast.

 Diesel supplies on the island continue to decrease at a high rate, while a British Petroleum ship with 300,000 barrels of diesel just off the island can’t deliver the much-needed fuel because of the Jones Act.

With the state ranking #2 in mass shootings, gun violence is a particularly powerful issue in Florida, where two of the deadliest mass shootings in recent years have occurred.

Residents of the Sunshine State were getting ready, lining up for hours in Tampa to collect bags of sand and clearing store shelves of bottled water.