News Service of Florida
Featured image for “Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to remove Rodman dam”
Rodman dam, formally known as the Kirkpatrick Dam, has stood for decades despite efforts by environmental groups, Florida governors and federal bureaucrats to get rid of it. | Florida Parks
2 days ago

Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to remove Rodman dam

State Rep. Wyman Duggan has filed legislation to tear down Rodman dam and restore the Ocklawaha River.…

Featured image for “Fleming senator files bill to regulate drinking straws”
Legislation filed by Sen. Jennifer Bradley would regulate drinking straws and stirrers. | francescoridolfi.com/Rido, stock.adobe.com
December 24, 2025

Fleming senator files bill to regulate drinking straws

The legislation from Sen. Jennifer Bradley would set rules for the materials used in straws and stirrers.…

Featured image for “Former UF President Ben Sasse has pancreatic cancer”
Former University of Florida President Ben Sasse.
December 23, 2025

Former UF President Ben Sasse has pancreatic cancer

Sasse posted on social media that he has been diagnosed with metastasized, Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.…

Featured image for “Florida Legislature may eliminate license plate stickers”
A bill in the Florida Legislature would eliminate these license plate stickers. | Randy Roguski, Jacksonville Today
December 23, 2025

Florida Legislature may eliminate license plate stickers

Motorists would still need to register their cars, but the yellow stickers would no longer be required.…

Featured image for “Recreational marijuana issue sent to Supreme Court”
The Florida Supreme Court determines whether proposed constitutional amendments are limited to single subjects and the proposed ballot language is clear.
December 19, 2025

Recreational marijuana issue sent to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court must decide whether a proposed constitutional amendment meets legal requirements.…

Featured image for “UNF President Moez Limayem confirmed for top job at USF”
University of North Florida President Moez Limayem.
December 12, 2025

UNF President Moez Limayem confirmed for top job at USF

Limayem will leave UNF to become president of the University of South Florida.…

Featured image for “Local lawmaker files bill to allow lawsuits in fetus deaths”
Rep. Sam Greco of St. Augustine speaks in the Florida House of Representatives. | Florida House
November 18, 2025

Local lawmaker files bill to allow lawsuits in fetus deaths

Rep. Sam Greco of St. Augustine filed a bill he says would protect parents if their “unborn child” dies.…

Featured image for “Jax lawmaker proposes oath for college instructors”
Sen. Clay Yarborugh
November 10, 2025

Jax lawmaker proposes oath for college instructors

Sen. Clay Yarborough filed a bill requiring that administrators and instructors pledge to serve as positive role models.…

Featured image for “Proposed law would require teachers to take an oath”
October 14, 2025

Proposed law would require teachers to take an oath

Teachers would take an oath pledging to support the Constitution and to act in a “nonpartisan manner.”…

Featured image for “DeSantis pushes again for open carry of guns”
An attendee at a gun-rights rally open carries his gun in a holster on Jan. 18, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington. | Ted S. Warren, AP
September 9, 2025

DeSantis pushes again for open carry of guns

Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for open carry in the past, but the proposal has never passed the Legislature.…

Featured image for “Immigration detention center opens in Baker County”
The Baker Correctional Institution became Florida's second immigration detention center. | Kaley Mantz, Fresh Take Florida
September 8, 2025

Immigration detention center opens in Baker County

The former Baker Correctional Institution held more than 100 detainees as of Friday.…

Featured image for “Judge won’t stop execution in Jacksonville murders”
A corridor at the Florida State Prison, where Michael Bell is scheduled for execution. | Florida Department of Corrections
July 11, 2025

Judge won’t stop execution in Jacksonville murders

Michael Bell is scheduled to be executed Tuesday for killing two people outside a Jacksonville bar.…

Featured image for “State budget reignites fight over Rodman dam”
The Rodman Dam near Palatka, some 70 miles southwest of Downtown Jacksonville.
June 16, 2025

State budget reignites fight over Rodman dam

A budget plan finalized Friday sets aside $6.25 million to restore the Ocklawaha River.…

Featured image for “State approves conservation deals in North Florida”
Orange blossoms | Ajax9, stock.adobe.com
June 11, 2025

State approves conservation deals in North Florida

The state will spend nearly $118 million to conserve about 76,000 acres, including land in Baker, Clay and Putnam counties.…

Featured image for “New law requires restaurants to warn you about fees”
People dine at outdoor cafes along Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach. | Lynne Sladky, AP
June 2, 2025

New law requires restaurants to warn you about fees

Beginning July 1, restaurants must notify customers upfront about automatic tips or service fees.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill restricting cellphone use in public schools”
The bill revises a law that has prevented students from using cellphones during instructional time.
June 2, 2025

DeSantis signs bill restricting cellphone use in public schools

The law prohibits cellphone use throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools.…

Featured image for “Investigation continues into Baker Sheriff’s Office”
The Baker County Sheriff's Office
May 21, 2025

Investigation continues into Baker Sheriff’s Office

Gov. Ron DeSantis extended the appointment of State Attorney Melissa Nelson to investigate the department.…

Featured image for “DeSantis will veto malpractice bill sponsored by Jax senator”
Photo by Unspash
May 16, 2025

DeSantis will veto malpractice bill sponsored by Jax senator

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, would have allowed more people to seek noneconomic damages.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers put reins on boating inspections”
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to stop the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from making "intrusive" checks on boaters. | WFSU
May 2, 2025

Lawmakers put reins on boating inspections

A bill sent to the governor would block law enforcement from boarding vessels without probable cause.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers vote to block development at state parks”
Opponents protest a plan to develop Florida state parks last summer. | Daylina Miller, WUSF
May 1, 2025

Lawmakers vote to block development at state parks

A bill intended to keep golf courses and lodges from being built in state parks is headed to Gov. Ron…

Featured image for “Legislature votes to repeal later school start times”
April 30, 2025

Legislature votes to repeal later school start times

School districts objected after the state prevented high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 a.m.…

Featured image for “Senate approves restrictions on ‘intrusive’ boating checks”
April 29, 2025

Senate approves restrictions on ‘intrusive’ boating checks

But chances of the proposal becoming law are in doubt because the House has not acted.…

Featured image for “Senate approves Black history museum in St. Johns County”
St. Johns County leaders have identified a West Augustine site, near the former location of Florida Memorial College, as a potential home for a Florida Museum of Black History. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 10, 2025

Senate approves Black history museum in St. Johns County

A House bill regarding the Black history museum has not moved through committees.…

Featured image for “Speed limits could rise to 75 mph on Florida’s interstates”
Cars travel on the East Beltway express lanes in Jacksonville l Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 20, 2025

Speed limits could rise to 75 mph on Florida’s interstates

The Legislature is considering a bill that would increase speed limits on interstates, the Turnpike and rural highways.…