Coach Prime Time? Deion Sanders reportedly set to take over college football program

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The NFL Hall of Famer has experience coaching in the Under Armour All-American Game and was reportedly a candidate for the open head coaching positions at Arkansas and Florida State this offseason but now it appears the former college and NFL superstar is set to take over his first college football program.

Layoffs in Central Florida keep piling up

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In the spring, as the new coronavirus began to spread throughout Central Florida, companies began shedding employees and Congress rushed in to provide some short-term relief.

Not knowing how severe the outbreak would become and how long its grip on the tourism-dependent region would last, executives hoped things would go back to normal soon.

But the layoffs haven’t stopped, and the calls to Congress for more help for the jobless and for the hotels, theme parks and other businesses that employed them have gone unanswered. It’s further evidence of the stark message Florida’s chief economist, Amy Baker, delivered to lawmakers Thursday that Florida tourism will take potentially three years to recover from this crisis.

In August alone, thousands more people were laid off or placed on furlough in Central Florida, mostly from hotels, according to a review of the state’s database.

The Hilton Orlando on Destination Parkway extended furloughs for 605 employees. The Orlando World Center Marriott laid off 601, saying it doesn’t expect occupancy to pick up until 2021. Eight Universal hotels, many of which have closed, furloughed or laid off 2,130 people.

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Judge bans indoor services at John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church

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A California court has issued a preliminary injunction against Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church, banning them from conducting, participating in or attending any indoor worship services until the case is resolved.

John MacArthur

In what lawyers for the Sun Valley-based megachurch described as a “setback,” a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Sept. 10 granted the county’s request for an injunction prohibiting Grace Community from holding indoor services in violation of county health orders.

Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff ruled that the church must not conduct any outdoor worship services unless it fully complies with the county’s mandates relating to physical distancing and face coverings, according to the nonprofit law firm Thomas More Society.

In an 18-page ruling, Beckloff wrote that the county demonstrated “a likelihood of success on the merits of its claims” and found that the “balance of harms tips in its favor.”

“[T]he Court finds the balance of harms tips in favor of the County,” the judge contends. “The potential consequences of community spread of COVID-19 and concomitant risk of death to members of the community — associated and unassociated with the Church — outweighs the harm that flows from the restriction on indoor worship caused by the County Health Order.”

MacArthur called the ruling “inexplicable.”

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Sharon’s Guacamole

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4 Ripe Avocados2 Limes, juiced1 Roma Tomato, diced1 Small Red Onion, diced1 Jalapeno, deseeded and diced1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped1 tsp Ground Cumin1 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper1 tsp Garlic PowderKosher Salt to Taste Take the avocado cut across the center and split in halves. Take the pit out and take the avocado out of shell … Read more

FSU Receiver moving on from comments

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Florida State receiver Warren Thompson is looking to put his controversial comments he was misled by the Seminoles coaching staff about COVID-19 test results behind him.

Thompson spoke with reporters Tuesday for the first time since he posted a statement on social media on Aug. 12 accusing FSU coach Mike Norvell and the staff of “lying” to him about the team’s COVID-19 safety protocols. He later deleted the Twitter post and posted an apology for his comments four days later before deleting his account.

Warren Thompson

“We just came to an agreement,” Thompson said of his discussions with Norvell. “I want to be with my team and I want to be with my coach and play football. This is what I want to do and I feel safe here and I’m ready to play ball.”

Norvell told reporters on Aug. 17 that he spoke with Thompson and that they “were moving forward together.”

The team released its depth chart for Saturday’s season opener against Georgia Tech Monday and Thompson was listed as one of the starting receivers along with Tamorrion Terry and Keyshawn Helton.

“It was pretty good because of the work that I put in. It’s been a long journey,” said Thompson, a redshirt sophomore who had six catches for 91 yards last season. “I didn’t want that to dictate all of the hard work that I’ve put in, so I’m just glad thatit can still pay off.”

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