Florida: 5 Things To Know For May 13

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

SECOND U.S. CASE OF MERS CONFIRMED BY FLORIDA HEALTH OFFICIALS

The virus is MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. It is a respiratory illness that begins with flu-like fever and cough but can lead to shortness of breath, pneumonia and death. A third of those who develop symptoms die from it. Most cases have been in Saudi Arabia or the Middle East. But earlier this month a first U.S. case was diagnosed in a man who traveled from Saudi Arabia to Indiana.

POLICE SHOOT 2 SUSPECTS AFTER CHASE THROUGH FSU CAMPUS

Tallahassee police shot two armed robbery suspects following a foot chase through Florida State University. Two crime scenes were near the Florida State Fine Arts Building, but police say there are no other suspects and no Florida State students or administrators were involved.

GOV. RICK SCOTT SIGNS BILL CREATING THREE SALES TAX HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR

The measure (HB 5601) includes a nine-day sales tax holiday on the sale of hurricane preparation supplies such as batteries, flashlights and generators. The legislation also authorizes a three-day back-to-school sales tax holiday in August. It also includes a three-day sales tax holiday in September on the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. The legislation also eliminates sales taxes on children’s bike helmets.

RECORD PRICES FOR STONE CRAB CLAWS AMID CRAB SCARCITY

Stone crab season closes at midnight Thursday. State wildlife officials say this year’s catch of stone crab claws was very low at 1.7 million pounds. Last year, 2.7 million pounds of claws were harvested. Commercial fishermen say they got paid record prices for the claws, but their harvests were much lighter than in previous years.

FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF ST. PETERSBURG DIES AT 87

Corinne Freeman died Sunday. Her son says Freeman had been working five days a week as a stockbroker before she retired six weeks ago. Freeman served as mayor from 1977 to 1985. During her tenure, she helped secure the land where Tropicana Field would later be built. She also pushed to develop downtown St. Petersburg.