News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “FDA approves Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada”
January 5, 2024

FDA approves Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada

Florida’s proposal is the first the agency has OK’d. The state has to clear a lot more hurdles, however, before…

Featured image for “Abortion measure has enough signatures for ballot”
January 5, 2024

Abortion measure has enough signatures for ballot

Now, focus will shift to the Florida Supreme Court, which has to sign off on the wording of proposed ballot…

Featured image for “Palatka rep files proposal to lower gun-buying age”
Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, proposed lowering a minimum gun-buying age from 21 to 18. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
January 4, 2024

Palatka rep files proposal to lower gun-buying age

Republican Rep. Bobby Payne wants to lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 for people to buy rifles and…

Featured image for “After Surfside collapse, Florida is seeing a condo boom”
January 4, 2024

After Surfside collapse, Florida is seeing a condo boom

Older buildings, especially those near the beach, are being replaced with luxury condominiums.…

Featured image for “Florida’s surgeon general calls for halt in COVID-19 vaccines”
Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo during an appearance Sept. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 4, 2024

Florida’s surgeon general calls for halt in COVID-19 vaccines

The statement from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo contradicts recommendations from federal health agencies.…

Featured image for “Supreme Court will consider abortion measure next month”
January 3, 2024

Supreme Court will consider abortion measure next month

Justices will hear arguments Feb. 7 about whether to allow a proposed constitutional amendment on the Florida ballot in November.…

Featured image for “Battle heats up over DeSantis’ travel records”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will lead to the history of communism being taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. | Phil Sears, AP file
January 3, 2024

Battle heats up over DeSantis’ travel records

The Washington Post contends that aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis have stifled the release of information about DeSantis’ flights.…

Featured image for “Proposed law could limit pride flags at public buildings”
January 2, 2024

Proposed law could limit pride flags at public buildings

A Florida Senate Republican has proposed a bill that would restrict the types of flags that can be flown by…

Featured image for “Florida bill raises concerns about safety of working teens”
January 2, 2024

Florida bill raises concerns about safety of working teens

Senate Bill 460 would allow teens ages 16 and 17 to work at heights over 6 feet if they earn…

Featured image for “Drivers could get relief on gas prices in 2024”
The lowest gas prices in Northeast Florida are in Clay County.
December 29, 2023

Drivers could get relief on gas prices in 2024

GasBuddy forecasts that prices in Florida will average $3.19 a gallon to $3.51, depending on the time of year.…

Featured image for “10 big legal issues to watch in 2024”
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case about a 2021 Florida law that would place restrictions on major social-media companies.
December 29, 2023

10 big legal issues to watch in 2024

State and federal courts in 2024 are expected to buzz with major Florida cases.…

Featured image for “FSU starts the ball rolling on its ACC departure”
December 22, 2023

FSU starts the ball rolling on its ACC departure

The university is moving to split with the conference, but first it has to navigate a series of legal hurdles…

Featured image for “Legislature attacks AI abuse as technology spreads”
December 22, 2023

Legislature attacks AI abuse as technology spreads

Legislative proposals target issues such as potential defamation of people using AI in media and use of the technology in…

Featured image for “Fleming Island senator proposes telehealth for pets”
December 21, 2023

Fleming Island senator proposes telehealth for pets

Sen. Jennifer Bradley has introduced a bill that would allow veterinarians to use telehealth for animals.…

Featured image for “Abortion rights groups claim enough signatures for ballot”
Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights outside Orlando City Hall on May 3, 2022. | John Raoux, AP
December 20, 2023

Abortion rights groups claim enough signatures for ballot

Groups behind the push to put abortion rights on the Florida ballot next year have reached a major milestone: They…

Featured image for “Mandatory school recess won’t be scrubbed after all”
December 20, 2023

Mandatory school recess won’t be scrubbed after all

Florida legislators nixed part of a larger education bill that would have taken away the mandatory recess period.…

Featured image for “New panther license plate available for Florida motorists”
December 14, 2023

New panther license plate available for Florida motorists

Fees from the Protect the Panther license plate go directly into the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund.…

Featured image for “School Board asks Bridget Ziegler to resign. She refuses.”
Bridget Ziegler looks on as public comment begins during the Sarasota School Board meeting Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. | Andrea Melendez, WGCU
December 13, 2023

School Board asks Bridget Ziegler to resign. She refuses.

The Sarasota School Board voted 4-1 after allegations that Ziegler was involved in a sexual tryst with her husband and…

Featured image for “Attorney general files demand on FSU playoff exclusion”
Florida State coach Mike Norvell lifts the trophy after the team's win over Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Dec. 2, 2023. | Erik Verduzco, AP
December 13, 2023

Attorney general files demand on FSU playoff exclusion

Attorney General Ashley Moody on Tuesday demanded wide-ranging information from the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.…

Featured image for “Warmer winter may help citrus industry recover”
Florida’s struggling citrus industry could be showing signs of recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Ian and the decades-long fight against citrus greening disease. | PepsiCo aia AP Images
December 11, 2023

Warmer winter may help citrus industry recover

Projections for the new crop are nearly 30% ahead of last season’s production, which was hammered by Hurricane Ian and…

Featured image for “What to expect with home insurance in 2024”
December 11, 2023

What to expect with home insurance in 2024

Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky provides tips to Floridians who face challenges with homeowners insurance.…

Featured image for “DeSantis seeks $1 million to sue over FSU football snub”
December 6, 2023

DeSantis seeks $1 million to sue over FSU football snub

DeSantis said the money would allow FSU to sue the college playoff committee, even though the championship will be decided…

Featured image for “Here are the governor’s priorities in 2024-25 budget”
December 6, 2023

Here are the governor’s priorities in 2024-25 budget

Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a variety of tax cuts and spending on such things as teacher salary increases and police…

Featured image for “North Florida redistricting fight heads to Supreme Court”
The Florida Supreme Court.
December 4, 2023

North Florida redistricting fight heads to Supreme Court

Voting rights groups will appeal the elimination of Congressional District 5, a Black-majority district that included parts of Jacksonville.…