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Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturned
Read full article: Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturnedGov. Ron DeSantis has reinstated a suspended Sumter County commissioner whose conviction on a perjury charge was overturned by an appeals court last year.
DeSantis issues state of emergency amid deadly storms in North Florida
Read full article: DeSantis issues state of emergency amid deadly storms in North FloridaAt least one person is dead in Florida as powerful storms continue to pummel the South during a week of severe weather across the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for some north Florida counties.
Man found dead in Florida street was possibly killed in fireworks accident, not by gunshot, police say
Read full article: Man found dead in Florida street was possibly killed in fireworks accident, not by gunshot, police sayPolice in Tallahassee say a man thought to have been fatally shot on New Year's Day might have died because of fireworks.
Judge weighs Florida redistricting arguments
Read full article: Judge weighs Florida redistricting argumentsA Leon County circuit judge heard arguments in a battle about a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature last year, amid clashing positions about the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution.
Gov. DeSantis announces suspension of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis announces suspension of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique WorrellFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday morning announced the suspension of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, effective immediately.
DeSantis signs lawsuit limits bill desired by business groups
Read full article: DeSantis signs lawsuit limits bill desired by business groupsAfter the Senate gave final approval Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday quickly signed a bill aimed at helping shield businesses and insurance companies from lawsuits.
Freak accident: 16-year-old dies when trees fall on vehicle during Florida storm
Read full article: Freak accident: 16-year-old dies when trees fall on vehicle during Florida stormA 16-year-old girl died when multiple trees fell onto a vehicle she was in during a storm, according to sheriff's officials.
Judge says Florida migrant flights lawsuit needs changes
Read full article: Judge says Florida migrant flights lawsuit needs changesA Leon County circuit judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a South Florida senator challenging the use of state funds to transport migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, but advised how to revamp the legal complaint so the case can move forward.
Parking lot shootout in Tallahassee leaves 1 dead, 8 wounded, officials say
Read full article: Parking lot shootout in Tallahassee leaves 1 dead, 8 wounded, officials sayPolice are investigating a shooting in Florida’s capital city that left one dead and eight wounded after “dozens and dozens” of shots were fired.
Gov. DeSantis, state officials discuss plan for potential impact of major hurricane in Florida
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis, state officials discuss plan for potential impact of major hurricane in FloridaFlorida’s governor and emergency management leaders say the Federal Emergency Management Agency is already assisting the state in preparing for Ian’s impact.
Florida girl, 16, not ‘mature’ enough for abortion, court rules
Read full article: Florida girl, 16, not ‘mature’ enough for abortion, court rulesAn appellate court has upheld a lower court ruling that a parentless 16-year-old girl in the Florida Panhandle is not “sufficiently mature” to end her pregnancy while seeking a waiver from a state law requiring minors to get parental consent for an abortion.
Florida’s 15-week abortion ban violates state constitution, judge says
Read full article: Florida’s 15-week abortion ban violates state constitution, judge saysLeon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper said the new 15-week abortion ban, signed in April by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, violates Florida’s constitution.
Florida officer dies after crash with suspect during chase
Read full article: Florida officer dies after crash with suspect during chaseA Tallahassee police officer died Wednesday after a crash with a man accused of shooting three members of his own family, according to a joint release from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Voter rights group celebrates preliminary injunction against new district 5 plans
Read full article: Voter rights group celebrates preliminary injunction against new district 5 plansThe League of Women Voters was one of the first groups to file a lawsuit against the state of Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on new district maps in April.
Florida House passes bill to limit race-related instruction in schools, workplaces
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to limit race-related instruction in schools, workplacesOverriding objections from Democrats who called the measure “wrong on all levels,” the Republican-controlled Florida House on Thursday passed a bill that would limit how race-related concepts are taught in schools and in workplace training sessions.
Voting rights activist Desmond Meade calls for criminal justice reform in Tallahassee
Read full article: Voting rights activist Desmond Meade calls for criminal justice reform in TallahasseeThe Florida Rights Restoration Coalition spent Wednesday in Tallahassee to observe Returning Citizens Legislative Advocacy Day 2022.
No ‘legal right’ to force use of ivermectin, court says
Read full article: No ‘legal right’ to force use of ivermectin, court saysA state appeals court Thursday said a family did not have a “legal right” to force Mayo Clinic Florida to administer the controversial drug ivermectin to try to keep alive a COVID-19 patient who was on a ventilator.
Court refuses to hear case against Florida over ‘medically fragile’ children
Read full article: Court refuses to hear case against Florida over ‘medically fragile’ childrenNearly a decade after concerns emerged about “medically fragile” children being placed in nursing homes, a federal appeals court will not reconsider a decision that allowed the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue a lawsuit against Florida.
‘Saving them to death:’ Legislation filed to prevent isolation in nursing homes amid lockdowns
Read full article: ‘Saving them to death:’ Legislation filed to prevent isolation in nursing homes amid lockdownsA Florida lawmaker from Tallahassee has filed legislation to make sure Floridians in long-term care facilities have the right to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visits.
Florida special legislative session to address vaccine mandates this week
Read full article: Florida special legislative session to address vaccine mandates this weekWhen Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature kicks off its special session Monday, lawmakers will consider several bills aimed at banning vaccine mandates and empowering parents to challenge vaccine and mask mandates in schools.
Judge rejects challenge to Florida ‘vaccine passport’ ban
Read full article: Judge rejects challenge to Florida ‘vaccine passport’ banA Leon County circuit judge has refused to block a state law that bans so-called “vaccine passports,” rejecting arguments by a Sarasota business that the law violates First Amendment rights.
‘I have no doubt you’ll see some litigation:’ Florida health department sends official ‘vax passport’ violations
Read full article: ‘I have no doubt you’ll see some litigation:’ Florida health department sends official ‘vax passport’ violationsThe Florida State Health Department has started sending out official notices of violations and fines for 'vaccination passport' violations.
State issues Leon County $3.5 million fine over ‘vaccine passport’ violations
Read full article: State issues Leon County $3.5 million fine over ‘vaccine passport’ violationsThe Florida Department of Health is now making good on Gov. Ron DeSantis's threats to punish any local government that mandated vaccines as a condition of employment for its workers.
Harry Styles, Amway Center, AdventHealth part of vaccine passport probes in Florida
Read full article: Harry Styles, Amway Center, AdventHealth part of vaccine passport probes in FloridaFlorida has issued its first fine to a county it says violated a new state law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates and for firing fired 14 workers who failed to get the shots.
Florida woman given 30 years in husband’s homicide
Read full article: Florida woman given 30 years in husband’s homicideA Florida woman convicted of helping mastermind the killing of her husband more than two decades ago has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a previous life sentence was tossed on appeal.
Judge signs order giving Florida school boards power to issue mask mandates to combat COVID
Read full article: Judge signs order giving Florida school boards power to issue mask mandates to combat COVIDFlorida school districts can legally require their students to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 after Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper filed his decision he made during a ruling last week.
‘It’s a great victory:’ Orange County School Board Chair, teacher’s union praises ruling on masks
Read full article: ‘It’s a great victory:’ Orange County School Board Chair, teacher’s union praises ruling on masksOrange County Schools was the only school district in Central Florida to join 9 others, in enacting mask mandates despite the Governor's executive order banning school districts from doing so. However, after a Leon County judge ruled districts actually can enact masks mandates, Orange County School Board Chairwoman Teresa Jacobs felt relief.
Closing arguments set in Florida’s school mask policy legal fight
Read full article: Closing arguments set in Florida’s school mask policy legal fightA hearing in a high-profile lawsuit challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order aimed at preventing local school boards from imposing student mask mandates is ready for closing arguments on Thursday.
Pressure is mounting for Orange County Public Schools as parents, teachers call for mask mandate
Read full article: Pressure is mounting for Orange County Public Schools as parents, teachers call for mask mandateOutside of the Orange County Public School headquarters, pressure is mounting for the school board to enact mask mandates with no option of opting out as parents, teachers and educators call for a mask mandate.
Debate over masks in Florida classrooms heads to court
Read full article: Debate over masks in Florida classrooms heads to courtNew developments are expected this week involving two lawsuits that could impact students across the state as the debate over masks in the classroom returns to the courtroom.
Key Florida House committee passes ‘Kaia Rolle Act’ aimed at preventing arrest of young kids
Read full article: Key Florida House committee passes ‘Kaia Rolle Act’ aimed at preventing arrest of young kidsA key committee in the Florida House moved a police training bill forward Thursday which includes a provision preventing the arrest of children 7 and younger.
DeSantis signs COVID-19 liability bill, promises action against vaccine passports
Read full article: DeSantis signs COVID-19 liability bill, promises action against vaccine passportsRon DeSantis signed a new bill into law, protecting businesses, schools and other institutions from liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic during a somewhat unconventional news conference Monday in Tallahassee. Before the governor spoke, Highway 85, a band based in Tallahassee, performed a rendition of The Beatles’ “With a little help from my friends.”When The Governor’s calls and wants Highway 85, they get Highway 85! Tune in to The Florida Channel at 12:55 for the press conference 😎😎😎 Posted by Highway 85 on Monday, March 29, 2021Following the song, the governor spoke about SB 72. “What this bill does, it says if you’re doing the right things, you’re protected,” Sprowls said. Ad“I also think that this particular vaccine would be totally inappropriate to mandate for kids, given how low of a risk kids are to COVID-19,” DeSantis said.
Florida activists released from jail after rally over police shootings
Read full article: Florida activists released from jail after rally over police shootingsLeon County jail records showed most were taken into custody for resisting officers and assembling unlawfully. They were met by a phalanx of law officers from the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, as well officers from the nearby Capitol and Florida State University. For months, activists have staged rallies in Tallahassee to bring attention to police killings they say were unjustified. The incident led Leon County to put in place a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. While the grand jury declined to hand down indictments against the police officers, it found areas of concern.
‘Parental choice works:’ Florida governor, White House task force doctor tout reopening schools
Read full article: ‘Parental choice works:’ Florida governor, White House task force doctor tout reopening schoolsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida education leaders joined the governor and medical professionals Monday to reinforce the state’s stance on reopening schools and allowing in-person learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Do the virtual, and really not fall far behind,” DeSantis said about the enhanced virtual opportunities available to students. Atlas was making at least three stops with DeSantis around the state Monday, including in Tampa and The Villages. “If you have a cough you’re three times as likely to spread than if you don’t have a cough,” he said. “We have the data, there’s extraordinarily low risk in children, there’s extraordinarily very low risk in everybody else in the school.
Judge sides with Florida teachers, rejects putting schools ruling on hold
Read full article: Judge sides with Florida teachers, rejects putting schools ruling on holdSiding with teachers unions, a Leon County circuit judge Thursday lifted a stay of his earlier ruling that a state order requiring schools to reopen in August is unconstitutional. Under law, that notice of appeal automatically placed a stay on Dodson’s ruling --- effectively putting it on hold until the Tallahassee-based appeals court can resolve the case. Late Tuesday, attorneys for the Florida Education Association and the Orange County teachers union asked Dodson to lift the stay. In Thursday’s order, Dodson scolded the state for misrepresenting his temporary injunction. What the order did, for the reasons stated, is require that local school districts be given authority under their individual circumstances to open or close the local schools, based on local conditions,” the judge wrote.
Judge weighs future of Florida unemployment lawsuit
Read full article: Judge weighs future of Florida unemployment lawsuitAfter four hours of arguments Monday, a Leon County circuit judge will decide whether to move forward with a potential class-action lawsuit stemming from massive problems in Florida’s unemployment-compensation system. Attorneys for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Deloitte Consulting, a contractor that helped put the online system in place in 2013, argued that Judge John Cooper should dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed after a crush of coronavirus-caused unemployment claims overwhelmed the system this spring. Cooper last month rejected a preliminary injunction that plaintiffs sought to force the Department of Economic Opportunity to “fix” the system. Department of Economic Opportunity attorney Daniel Nordby argued Monday, in part, that the lawsuit should be dismissed because of the constitutional separation of powers between judges and the executive branch. The plaintiffs’ attorneys filed the lawsuit in April after major problems with Florida’s CONNECT online unemployment system, which even Gov.
Mother, boyfriend at center of Apopka Amber Alert booked into Orange County Jail
Read full article: Mother, boyfriend at center of Apopka Amber Alert booked into Orange County JailORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The couple at the center of an Amber Alert for a 3-year-old Apopka girl was transferred Thursday from Leon County to Orange County to face charges. Officers said Madeline Meija was taken Monday morning without force by her biological mother Tania Duarte, 19, and her mothers’ boyfriend Kevin Smith Olmedo-Velis, 19. Both 19-year-old suspects were booked into the Orange County Jail Thursday at 2:50 p.m.Police said Madeline’s father mislead officers at first, saying his daughter abducted by strangers from the front yard. Investigators said Lester Mejia was contacted by a relative while at work and informed him Duarte had taken the child. Officers said Mejia called 911 but authorities said Mejia was allegedly told by an unknown dispatcher there was no crime if the mother has the child.