News Service of Florida
Featured image for “Proposed law would force drivers out of the left lane”
Traffic flows toward Downtown Jacksonville just after rush hour.
October 24, 2023

Proposed law would force drivers out of the left lane

The bill would make it illegal to use the left lane unless attempting to pass other motorists.…

Featured image for “Former Public Defender Matt Shirk accused of contempt”
Matt Shirk | News4Jax
October 19, 2023

Former Public Defender Matt Shirk accused of contempt

The Florida Bar alleges that Shirk practiced law after being suspended last year.…

Featured image for “Florida claims Juul improperly marketed to children”
October 5, 2023

Florida claims Juul improperly marketed to children

Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to prevent Juul Labs from marketing e-cigarettes to children.…

Featured image for “Florida Supreme Court sets hearing on marijuana initiative”
October 4, 2023

Florida Supreme Court sets hearing on marijuana initiative

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow recreational use of marijuana by people ages 21 and older.…

Featured image for “A new name for A1A? Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway”
October 2, 2023

A new name for A1A? Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway

A state legislator has filed a proposal to rename State Road A1A from Monroe County to Nassau County.…

Featured image for “Judge refuses to block Florida’s transgender treatment law”
September 13, 2023

Judge refuses to block Florida’s transgender treatment law

Adult plaintiffs did not show they would suffer irreparable harm, said U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle.…

Featured image for “Colleges ordered to restrict restrooms to ‘sex at birth’”
August 24, 2023

Colleges ordered to restrict restrooms to ‘sex at birth’

Florida public colleges will be required to have separate facilities “based on biological sex at birth.”…

Featured image for “Heat warning stickers are going up on Florida gas pumps”
August 15, 2023

Heat warning stickers are going up on Florida gas pumps

Motorists fueling up across Florida will soon see stickers on gas pumps warning against leaving children and pets in vehicles.…

Featured image for “$15 million sought in crash with St. Johns County deputy”
Julia "Jenny" Perez says her life was shattered after a St. Johns County sheriff's deputy hit her motorcycle. | Provided by Julia Perez, via Fresh Take Florida
August 8, 2023

$15 million sought in crash with St. Johns County deputy

Julia “Jenny” Perez was severely injured when a deputy made a left turn and hit her motorcycle in St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Arlene forms in the Gulf of Mexico”
This satellite image taken at 1:21 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2023, shows Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. | AP/NOAA
June 2, 2023

Tropical Storm Arlene forms in the Gulf of Mexico

The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, was moving south at 5 mph toward the western end of…

Featured image for “Democrat files to replace Sen. Travis Hutson of St. Augustine”
Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, is sponsoring a proposal to do away with a campaign matching funds program.
May 30, 2023

Democrat files to replace Sen. Travis Hutson of St. Augustine

George Anthony “T” Hill II is one of three candidates for Hutson’s seat. Hutson will be term-limited in 2024.…

Featured image for “House votes to lower age for gun purchases”
May 1, 2023

House votes to lower age for gun purchases

The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Bobby Payne of Palatka, reverses changes made after the mass school shooting in Parkland.…

Featured image for “FPL customers could see smaller bills”
April 3, 2023

FPL customers could see smaller bills

The Florida Public Service Commission will consider a proposal to lower FPL’s fuel charges for the rest of the year.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs reforms limiting lawsuits against businesses”
March 24, 2023

DeSantis signs reforms limiting lawsuits against businesses

The bill shields businesses from lawsuits blamed for driving up insurance costs. Opponents say injured people will find it harder…

Featured image for “Local senator’s bill tightens home defect lawsuits”
March 15, 2023

Local senator’s bill tightens home defect lawsuits

The Senate passed a bill filed by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, that shortens the time for residents to sue…

Featured image for “Fleming Island senator wants home sellers to disclose flooding”
February 2, 2023

Fleming Island senator wants home sellers to disclose flooding

Sen. Jennifer Bradley has filed a bill that would require home sellers to disclose whether a property was ever damaged…

Featured image for “State law would combat antisemitic acts like Jacksonville’s”
January 26, 2023

State law would combat antisemitic acts like Jacksonville’s

Proposed legislation in Florida would define certain acts as hate crimes and increase criminal penalties.…

Featured image for “Dawgs fans: You can now get a Florida license plate”
January 25, 2023

Dawgs fans: You can now get a Florida license plate

The University of Georgia has met Florida’s presale requirement for a speciality license plate. The plate will go into production…

Featured image for “Supreme Court to consider teen’s ATV death in Clay County”
December 22, 2022

Supreme Court to consider teen’s ATV death in Clay County

The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled arguments Feb. 9 in the conviction of a Clay County man whose son was…

Featured image for “Disagreements surface over the training of public school librarians in Florida”
December 8, 2022

Disagreements surface over the training of public school librarians in Florida

With a Jan. 1 deadline looming, a state Department of Education workgroup is crafting a training that all school-library workers…

Featured image for “A Florida state representative has been indicted on federal fraud charges”
December 8, 2022

A Florida state representative has been indicted on federal fraud charges

State Rep. Joe Harding has been indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements in an…

Featured image for “Agriculture commissioner race: Simpson vs. Blemur”
Agriculture commissioner candidates Democrat Naomi Blemur (left) and Republican Wilton Simpson (right)
October 14, 2022

Agriculture commissioner race: Simpson vs. Blemur

One of Florida’s most-powerful lawmakers and a North Miami Democrat touting a “grassroots” campaign are competing in the Nov. 8…

Featured image for “Chief financial officer race: Patronis, Hattersley square off”
Chief financial officer candidates Democrat Adam Hattersley (left) and Republican Jimmy Patronis (right)
October 14, 2022

Chief financial officer race: Patronis, Hattersley square off

Florida voters next month will choose a state chief financial officer who will have a big role in trying to…

Featured image for “Attorney general race: Ayala challenges Moody in ‘longshot’ bid”
Attorney general candidates Democrat Aramis Ayala (left) and Republican Ashley Moody (right)
October 14, 2022

Attorney general race: Ayala challenges Moody in ‘longshot’ bid

Former Orlando-area State Attorney Aramis Ayala is making a “longshot” bid to unseat Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody, saying a…