Ron DeSantis appeals mask mandate ruling as Florida Covid deaths set record

August's 5,721 deaths were highest since start of pandemic

Governor wants to ban mask mandates in schools

The battle over mask requirements in Florida schools is headed for a new legal phase following an appeal by the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, of a judge's ruling that a blanket ban on mask mandates exceeds the state's authority.

The case heads next to the 15 judges on the 1st district court of appeal in the state capital, Tallahassee.