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Cursive writing could make comeback in Florida schools thanks to new proposal
Read full article: Cursive writing could make comeback in Florida schools thanks to new proposalWhile some believe that cursive writing is essential for young scholars, others argue that it is an outdated skill that should be left in the past.
โPressing issues:โ DeSantis lashes out over Florida budget vote, vies for property tax cuts
Read full article: โPressing issues:โ DeSantis lashes out over Florida budget vote, vies for property tax cutsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to social media on Thursday to go after state lawmakers after they overrode some of his vetoes from last yearโs budget.
Florida wildlife officials close โUnusual Mortality Eventโ as manatee starvation deaths decrease
Read full article: Florida wildlife officials close โUnusual Mortality Eventโ as manatee starvation deaths decreaseManatees in Florida are slowly doing better after an effort to preserve their mortality and habitat, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Melbourne firefightersโ widows continue fighting for denied benefits
Read full article: Melbourne firefightersโ widows continue fighting for denied benefitsThe widows of two Melbourne firefighters who died from cancer contracted in the line of duty are still being denied benefits they are supposed to receive under Florida law.
Minimum wage exemptions take another step closer to becoming Florida law
Read full article: Minimum wage exemptions take another step closer to becoming Florida lawA Florida bill aimed at carving out exceptions to the stateโs minimum wage law made further headway through the Florida Legislature this week.
Firing squads? Lethal gas? Itโs what this Florida bill could bring to the table
Read full article: Firing squads? Lethal gas? Itโs what this Florida bill could bring to the tableA Florida bill making its way through the Legislature this month could change how the state implements the death penalty.
Proposed amendment could create Florida version of DOGE. Hereโs what to know
Read full article: Proposed amendment could create Florida version of DOGE. Hereโs what to knowThe proposal would get rid of the Lieutenant Governor position and the Government Efficiency Task Force, instead replacing them with a COGE.
Florida Sen. Randy Fine defends โterrorist ragโ comment at committee meeting
Read full article: Florida Sen. Randy Fine defends โterrorist ragโ comment at committee meetingDuring public comments on Tuesday, a man named Robert Lee was on the podium making remarks when Fine informed him his 30 seconds to make remarks was up. The men then traded words in an exchange that's been circulating on social media.
Florida House Speaker Perez compares higher ed searches to โSpoil Systemโ
Read full article: Florida House Speaker Perez compares higher ed searches to โSpoil SystemโAppearing before leaders of the state university system, House Speaker Daniel Perez on Wednesday defended a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about school presidential candidates from public disclosure.
Florida could soon have its sales tax slashed. Hereโs how low it may go
Read full article: Florida could soon have its sales tax slashed. Hereโs how low it may goSpeaker Perez said that if the proposal is successful, it will make Florida the only state in the country's history to permanently reduce its sales tax.
Florida legislation would relax restrictions on the working hours of teenagers
Read full article: Florida legislation would relax restrictions on the working hours of teenagersA bill that would relax restrictions on working hours for Florida teenagers is moving through the state Legislature amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
Florida Senate bill does away with labor restrictions for 16, 17-year-olds
Read full article: Florida Senate bill does away with labor restrictions for 16, 17-year-oldsA year after lawmakers relaxed the stateโs child labor laws, a divided Florida Senate panel on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would further roll back work restrictions for kids as young as 14.
Deepfake pornography could soon be banned in Florida. Hereโs what to know
Read full article: Deepfake pornography could soon be banned in Florida. Hereโs what to knowOne of the latest Florida bills making its way through the Legislature aims to ban explicit A.I.-generated images of real people.
DeSantis returns millions in federal funds as Florida cities receive DOGE letters
Read full article: DeSantis returns millions in federal funds as Florida cities receive DOGE lettersFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to social media, announcing that the state had returned hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.
Florida bill pushes new โSmart Livingโ course in high schools. Hereโs what that means
Read full article: Florida bill pushes new โSmart Livingโ course in high schools. Hereโs what that meansThe curriculum would be implemented as two stand-alone courses between grades 8 and 12, helping prepare students to "function in adulthood."
Florida amendment proposal would lower property taxes โ but only if you have these
Read full article: Florida amendment proposal would lower property taxes โ but only if you have theseOne of the latest Florida amendment proposals aimed at cutting property taxes gained legs on Thursday after it passed through a House committee meeting.
Higher lawsuit limits for local Florida governments advances in House
Read full article: Higher lawsuit limits for local Florida governments advances in HouseAmid opposition from local governments, the House Budget Committee on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a proposal that could lead to cities, counties and other government agencies paying more in lawsuits over people getting injured.
Florida bill calls for more regulations on dangerous dogs
Read full article: Florida bill calls for more regulations on dangerous dogsVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood joined the family of an 8-year-old boy killed in a DeLand dog attack to speak on behalf of a bill they hope can prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Florida drivers may soon need 2 license plates on their cars. Hereโs why
Read full article: Florida drivers may soon need 2 license plates on their cars. Hereโs whyLawmakers said the bill aims to help investigators find hit-and-run drivers more easily, though it could involve a new rule for all Florida drivers.
โRural renaissanceโ plan backed in Florida Senate
Read full article: โRural renaissanceโ plan backed in Florida SenateIn a top priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, senators on Wednesday unanimously passed a more than $200 million plan to bolster health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas.
Florida Senate OKs bill named after dog found tied to I-4 fence before Hurricane Milton
Read full article: Florida Senate OKs bill named after dog found tied to I-4 fence before Hurricane MiltonSB 150 is also known as โTrooperโs Law,โ named after the dog that was found tied to a fence along I-4 hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall. If passed, Trooper's Law would make restraining a dog outside during a natural disaster punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Florida lawmakers to keep later school start times, add exception for districts
Read full article: Florida lawmakers to keep later school start times, add exception for districtsFlorida lawmakers have hit snooze on a repeal of later school start times for middle and high schools, revising the House and Senate versions of the bill to keep the new times but adding exemptions for schools that arenโt yet able to comply.
โFace the consequences:โ Florida AG goes after Fort Myers over sanctuary policies
Read full article: โFace the consequences:โ Florida AG goes after Fort Myers over sanctuary policiesFlorida Attorney General James Uthmeier is going after the Fort Myers City Council after it rejected an agreement with ICE โ a motion that Uthmeier said makes Fort Myers a โsanctuary city.โ
Florida lawmakers eye changes after 2024 hurricanes
Read full article: Florida lawmakers eye changes after 2024 hurricanesFrom holding down property taxes on homes rebuilt after hurricanes to new post-storm rules for elections supervisors, the Florida House on Tuesday started moving forward with a proposal to address issues whipped up during the damaging 2024 hurricane season.
Florida bill aims for animal cruelty registry to keep pets out of abusersโ hands
Read full article: Florida bill aims for animal cruelty registry to keep pets out of abusersโ handsThe legislation would give adoption shelters a way to screen prospective pet owners, which could help improve the ability of these groups to find safe homes for animals.
Florida Senate bill aiming to roll back rural boundaries under talks
Read full article: Florida Senate bill aiming to roll back rural boundaries under talksMonday afternoon, a state Senate committee is set to discuss a bill that aims to make changes regarding land use and development regulations in Florida.
Appeals court backs Florida gun age law
Read full article: Appeals court backs Florida gun age lawSaying the restriction is โconsistent with our historical tradition of firearm regulation,โ a federal appeals court upheld the constitutionality of a Florida law that raised the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 18 to 21.
Florida lawmakers push for left-lane camping ban yet again. But can it pass DeSantis?
Read full article: Florida lawmakers push for left-lane camping ban yet again. But can it pass DeSantis?Florida lawmakers are once again pushing to ban left-lane camping on the stateโs highways, though they may face an obstacle on their crusade: Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Are Florida lawmakers trying to ban people from controlling the weather?
Read full article: Are Florida lawmakers trying to ban people from controlling the weather?It might sound far-fetched, but it could soon be law. Florida Legislators are discussing a proposal that would ban people from trying to control the weather.
Florida lawmakers go after squatters yet again. Hereโs what the new plan looks like
Read full article: Florida lawmakers go after squatters yet again. Hereโs what the new plan looks likeFollowing a new law last year aimed at helping homeowners get rid of squatters, Florida lawmakers are now pushing to expand those rules.
โFollow the law:โ Osceola sheriff addresses new state illegal immigration laws
Read full article: โFollow the law:โ Osceola sheriff addresses new state illegal immigration lawsInside the auditorium at Gateway High School Thursday night, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez addressed a politically fraught topic that is of high interest to the large Hispanic community he serves: illegal immigration.
โLaw-and-order:โ 6 non-citizens arrested in statewide Florida car burglary ring
Read full article: โLaw-and-order:โ 6 non-citizens arrested in statewide Florida car burglary ringInvestigators said the group primarily targeted rental vehicles using Apple AirTags, and one member is still at large.
Is this Floridaโs โhappiestโ city? The answer may surprise you
Read full article: Is this Floridaโs โhappiestโ city? The answer may surprise youOn Monday, WalletHub released its latest ranking of the โhappiestโ cities in America, looking at which places experience the highest rates of fulfillment.
Republicans in Floridaโs capitol restart push to lower the gun-buying age
Read full article: Republicans in Floridaโs capitol restart push to lower the gun-buying ageGun rights advocates have been fighting to overturn a Florida law setting the minimum age to buy a gun at 21 since the day the measure was signed, in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.
Republicans in Florida's Capitol restart push to lower the gun-buying age to 18
Read full article: Republicans in Florida's Capitol restart push to lower the gun-buying age to 18Gun rights advocates have been fighting to overturn a Florida law setting the minimum age to buy a gun at 21 since the day the measure was signed, in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.
Could โGranny Flatsโ solve Floridaโs housing problem? Lawmakers seem to think so
Read full article: Could โGranny Flatsโ solve Floridaโs housing problem? Lawmakers seem to think soLawmakers argued that more granny flats could bring down the cost of housing in Florida, bringing a big boost to low-income workers.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis orders flags at half-staff this week. Hereโs why
Read full article: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis orders flags at half-staff this week. Hereโs whyFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff later this week in the wake of a state lawmakerโs death, according to the governor's office.
โMaking it official:โ Florida is one step closer to enshrining โGulf of Americaโ in law
Read full article: โMaking it official:โ Florida is one step closer to enshrining โGulf of Americaโ in lawFlorida lawmakers are one step closer to making โGulf of Americaโ an official moniker under state statutes.
Florida lawmakers move to slash property taxes. Hereโs the list of proposals
Read full article: Florida lawmakers move to slash property taxes. Hereโs the list of proposalsProperty taxes have been a hot-button issue in Florida lately, and many of the proposals being tossed about by lawmakers reflect that fact.
These cities have the most homeless people in America. Only 1 is in Florida
Read full article: These cities have the most homeless people in America. Only 1 is in FloridaThe top five cities on the list were home to more than one-third of all people in the nation last year who experienced homelessness.
โEpitome of evil:โ Could this migrant be the first to die under Floridaโs new law?
Read full article: โEpitome of evil:โ Could this migrant be the first to die under Floridaโs new law?An undocumented immigrant accused of murder may be among the first to face the death penalty under one of the stateโs newest laws.
Florida lawmakers weigh medical malpractice changes for adult children
Read full article: Florida lawmakers weigh medical malpractice changes for adult childrenCurrently, people who are 25 years old or older cannot seek such damages in medical malpractice cases involving deaths of their parents. Also, parents cannot seek such damages in malpractice cases involving the deaths of their children who are 25 or older.
โWorth looking at:โ Florida lawmakers consider eliminating property taxes
Read full article: โWorth looking at:โ Florida lawmakers consider eliminating property taxesHomeowners often feel the stress when their property tax bill arrives in the mail. Removing this burden could be appealing, though it comes with a new set of challenges.
Florida Senate committee OKs repealing later school start times
Read full article: Florida Senate committee OKs repealing later school start timesLawmakers in 2023 approved the requirements, citing a need for older students to get more sleep. The requirements are slated to take effect in 2026, but as the deadline has neared, districts have said they are struggling to comply.
Florida legislative session to tackle social, economic issues amid Republican supermajority
Read full article: Florida legislative session to tackle social, economic issues amid Republican supermajorityFloridaโs annual legislative session is set to begin, with elected officials from the House and Senate gathering in Tallahassee.
Florida judge refuses to block execution
Read full article: Florida judge refuses to block executionA Seminole County circuit judge has refused to block the scheduled March 20 execution of convicted murderer Edward James, rejecting arguments that he should be spared, in part, because of โcognitive decline.โ
Inflation, insurance among Floridiansโ leading concerns, poll suggests
Read full article: Inflation, insurance among Floridiansโ leading concerns, poll suggestsA recent poll from a Florida business group suggests state residents are most concerned with the cost of insurance and the pressures of inflation above all else.
โSIGN ME UP:โ Buc-eeโs boom in Florida continues as DeSantis touts new locations
Read full article: โSIGN ME UP:โ Buc-eeโs boom in Florida continues as DeSantis touts new locationsDuring his speech about a massive expansion project along Interstate 75, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans for yet another upcoming Buc-eeโs location in the state.
Conspiracy drained over $1M from Florida school employeesโ retirement funds
Read full article: Conspiracy drained over $1M from Florida school employeesโ retirement fundsA Volusia County man is among five Florida residents who have been accused in a scheme to drain over $1 million from retirement funds for elderly retired Florida school district employees, according to the U.S. Attorneyโs Office.
Citizens Property Insurance policies fall below 850,000 Florida customers as depopulation continues
Read full article: Citizens Property Insurance policies fall below 850,000 Florida customers as depopulation continuesThe stateโs Citizens Property Insurance Corp. last week shed about 100,000 policies, with its number of customers dropping to the lowest total in nearly three years.
New sales tax holiday in Florida? Thatโs what this bill could bring to the table
Read full article: New sales tax holiday in Florida? Thatโs what this bill could bring to the tableA Florida bill filed on Thursday could introduce a new tax holiday to the state โ one aimed at helping residents bolster their homes against storms.
Florida lawmakers could open door for 'Granny Cams'
Read full article: Florida lawmakers could open door for 'Granny Cams'Amid debate about issues such as privacy and protecting vulnerable seniors, a House panel Thursday approved a proposal that would require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow video cameras and other electronic monitoring devices in residentsโ rooms.
George Washington statue unveiled at State Capitol ahead of nationโs 250th anniversary
Read full article: George Washington statue unveiled at State Capitol ahead of nationโs 250th anniversaryFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis will hold a news conference at the State Capitol Building.
Florida Gov. DeSantisโ latest budget could bring big changes to I-4, state roads
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantisโ latest budget could bring big changes to I-4, state roadsThis month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his latest budget recommendations, which could bring significant changes to some of the stateโs biggest highways.
Execution set for 1993 Seminole County murder of woman, grandaughter
Read full article: Execution set for 1993 Seminole County murder of woman, grandaughterGov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a death warrant for inmate Edward James, who was sentenced to death in the 1993 murders of a woman and her 8-year-old granddaughter in Seminole County.
Florida governor signs off on more agreements for state law enforcement to perform DHS immigration duties
Read full article: Florida governor signs off on more agreements for state law enforcement to perform DHS immigration dutiesGov. Ron DeSantis signed off on agreements that several more factions of state-level law enforcement will work hand-in-hand with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to detain and potentially interrogate illegal immigrants.
โWelcome matโ rolling out for Trump presidential library
Read full article: โWelcome matโ rolling out for Trump presidential libraryA proposal that would block local government oversight of the construction and management of an anticipated presidential library in Florida for President Donald Trump cleared its first Senate committee Tuesday.
Florida lawmaker seeks returned Pulse memorial money for Orlando Pulse project
Read full article: Florida lawmaker seeks returned Pulse memorial money for Orlando Pulse projectRep. Anna Eskamani put in a budget request for $394,321 for the city of Orlando's Pulse Memorial. That's the same amount of money that was returned when the previous group dissolved last year.
Florida man charged with attempted murder after shooting 2 men he thought were Palestinians
Read full article: Florida man charged with attempted murder after shooting 2 men he thought were PalestiniansA Florida man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after opening fire on two men in Miami Beach who he thought were Palestinians.
Banning Skittles in Florida? This new bill could do just that โ and more
Read full article: Banning Skittles in Florida? This new bill could do just that โ and morePlenty of people enjoy sweets like Skittles, though they may not be the healthiest options. But a new Florida bill could take those options off the table altogether.
Florida considers EV charging station fee for future transportation funding
Read full article: Florida considers EV charging station fee for future transportation fundingAs Florida looks to expand the number of electric vehicles on our roads, and the infrastructure to support them, state lawmakers are looking at how they can add more funding sources to the budget.
โStay tuned:โ DeSantis wants to eliminate Florida property taxes. Could he pull it off?
Read full article: โStay tuned:โ DeSantis wants to eliminate Florida property taxes. Could he pull it off?Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared to put the stateโs property tax in his crosshairs this week after voicing his position on social media.
Flooding from 2024 hurricanes depleted National Flood Insurance Program funds, officials say
Read full article: Flooding from 2024 hurricanes depleted National Flood Insurance Program funds, officials sayAfter Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton pounded Floridaโs Gulf Coast last year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is borrowing $2 billion to pay National Flood Insurance Program claims.
Florida allocates nearly $300M for immigration enforcement. How the money will be spent
Read full article: Florida allocates nearly $300M for immigration enforcement. How the money will be spentA bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday will appropriate $298.8 million for immigration enforcement. A newly created State Board of Immigration Enforcement will get most of the money โ approximately $250.7 million.
Immigration advocates, Democrats say Floridaโs workforce will suffer under new laws
Read full article: Immigration advocates, Democrats say Floridaโs workforce will suffer under new lawsWith the recent passage of some of the most stringent illegal immigration enforcement laws, many undocumented immigrants may choose to stop showing up for work due to fear of being detained, which some say could impact Floridaโs economy.
Florida lawmakers push for tougher dog attack penalties following childโs death
Read full article: Florida lawmakers push for tougher dog attack penalties following childโs deathA Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the stateโs dangerous-dog laws following the death of an 8-year-old boy who was mauled in Volusia County last month.
New Florida bill mandates death penalty for migrant child rapists, murderers
Read full article: New Florida bill mandates death penalty for migrant child rapists, murderersAmid a slew of new bills during Floridaโs Legislative special session this week tackling illegal immigration, one stands out among the rest.
Pulitzer board members face Trump lawsuit
Read full article: Pulitzer board members face Trump lawsuitA Florida appeals court Wednesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to pursue a defamation lawsuit against Pulitzer Prize board members in a dispute rooted in the organization awarding a prize to The New York Times and The Washington Post for reporting about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Florida bill could ban certain flags, let soldiers use โreasonable forceโ to protect U.S. flag
Read full article: Florida bill could ban certain flags, let soldiers use โreasonable forceโ to protect U.S. flagOne of the latest bills filed ahead of the upcoming Florida Legislative session could change state rules regarding how flags are displayed.
Florida lawmakers to take another special session crack at immigration
Read full article: Florida lawmakers to take another special session crack at immigrationThe Florida Legislature is going back to Tallahassee starting Tuesday to make changes to recently-passed โ and contentious โ legislation to crack down on undocumented immigrants.
New Florida bill is aimed at AI and firearms. Hereโs what it says
Read full article: New Florida bill is aimed at AI and firearms. Hereโs what it saysFlorida Sen. Ingoglia took to social media on Monday morning to claim that the new legislation would help protect residents' constitutional rights.
Florida budget vetoes eyed amid broader dispute
Read full article: Florida budget vetoes eyed amid broader disputeSpecial Florida House panels are teed up next week to scrutinize Gov. Ron DeSantisโ line-item budget vetoes, setting up possible overrides amid a dispute between the governor and Republican legislative leaders over immigration-enforcement plans.