News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Heavy rain and strong winds due in Florida this week”
November 15, 2023

Heavy rain and strong winds due in Florida this week

Two developing storm systems — one over the Gulf of Mexico, the other over the southwestern Caribbean — are to…

Featured image for “Universities defy order to shut down pro-Palestinian groups”
An unidentified University of Florida student wraps himself in an Israeli flag during a campus vigil Oct. 9, 2023, for victims of Hamas attacks. | Augustus Hoff, WUFT News
November 13, 2023

Universities defy order to shut down pro-Palestinian groups

Two of Florida’s biggest universities fear legal liability if they follow a DeSantis order to shut down pro-Palestinian organizations on…

Featured image for “John Rutherford discusses his support of Donald Trump”
U.S. Rep John Rutherford, a Republican from Jacksonville. | Office of U.S. Rep. John Rutherford
November 13, 2023

John Rutherford discusses his support of Donald Trump

The congressman discussed Trump, oil drilling, the House speaker and more in a wide-ranging interview with The Florida Roundup.…

Featured image for “Seminole Tribe plans major gambling expansion in Florida”
The Seminole Tribe will add craps, roulette and sports betting at its casinos. | Wayne Parry, AP
November 1, 2023

Seminole Tribe plans major gambling expansion in Florida

The tribe will add roulette, craps and sports betting at its casinos in Florida in December.…

Featured image for “Gun safety classes plummet after concealed carry changes”
Jeff Meling shoots a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun at Shoot GTR in Gainesville on Sept. 20, 2023. | Augustus Hoff, Fresh Take Florida
November 1, 2023

Gun safety classes plummet after concealed carry changes

Applications for concealed carry permits have dropped by about 64% since Florida eliminated the need for training and a permit…

Featured image for “Appellate court considers North Florida redistricting”
November 1, 2023

Appellate court considers North Florida redistricting

The court is expected to rule by Nov. 22 the elimination of a Black-majority district stretching from Jacksonville to Gadsden…

Featured image for “Attorney general urges court to reject abortion initiative”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. | Steve Cannon, AP
November 1, 2023

Attorney general urges court to reject abortion initiative

Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a brief contending the proposal should be kept off the 2024 ballot because the wording…

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 “Bathroom rules now apply to private schools in Florida”
October 19, 2023

Bathroom rules now apply to private schools in Florida

Students and faculty at private colleges and universities will only be allowed to use facilities that align with the sex…

Featured image for “Preserving a wildlife corridor in the shadow of Magic Kingdom”
October 18, 2023

Preserving a wildlife corridor in the shadow of Magic Kingdom

The world’s most-visited theme park has become one of the most important links in a corridor for wildlife spanning the…

Featured image for “Racism rises again a century later in Rosewood”
Kenneth Nunn, left, and Benjamin L. Crump mourn for the victims of the Rosewood massacre during a wreath-laying ceremony, at Rosewood on Jan. 8, 2023. | Xinyue Li, Fresh Take Florida
October 18, 2023

Racism rises again a century later in Rosewood

David Allen Emanuel Sr. was convicted of hate crimes for menacing people who plan to memorialize the horrific racial violence…

Featured image for “State defends redistricting in North Florida”
October 6, 2023

State defends redistricting in North Florida

Secretary of State Cord Byrd wants an appellate court to overturn a ruling that the plan violated the rights of…

Featured image for “Appeals court urged to block Florida’s Chinese property law”
October 6, 2023

Appeals court urged to block Florida’s Chinese property law

Opponents say the law targets people based on national origin, which would violate the Fair Housing Act.…

Featured image for “Citizens customers must decide on switch to private insurance”
October 5, 2023

Citizens customers must decide on switch to private insurance

More than 300,000 customers have until Oct. 10 to decide on an offer to change insurers.…

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 “Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office defends anti-riot law”
Protesters block the Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville in the summer of 2020. | Sky Lebron, WJCT News 89.9
October 4, 2023

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office defends anti-riot law

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by civil rights groups, including the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Trial ends early on North Florida’s congressional lines”
October 4, 2023

Trial ends early on North Florida’s congressional lines

A federal three-judge panel is set to issue a decision on the constitutionality of North Florida’s congressional districts by early…

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 “Canadian wildfires send dangerous smoke to Florida”
October 3, 2023

Canadian wildfires send dangerous smoke to Florida

A smoky haze can be seen over much of Florida, including the First Coast. Air quality in some areas has reached…

Featured image for “Multiple ethics violations await DeSantis’ signature”
Gov. Ron DeSantis has over 40 ethics violations to sign off on, according to a report from the Florida Commission on Ethics. The oldest case dates back over seven years. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 29, 2023

Multiple ethics violations await DeSantis’ signature

As Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigns for president, more than 40 ethics violations have not yet been finalized, according to the…

Featured image for “Sports betting in Florida still paused despite court ruling”
September 29, 2023

Sports betting in Florida still paused despite court ruling

As legal challenges grind through state and federal courts, gamblers in Florida shouldn’t plan on placing sports bets from their…

Featured image for “Hurricane Ian, 1 year later: A story of resiliency and hope”
September 29, 2023

Hurricane Ian, 1 year later: A story of resiliency and hope

Floridians are still picking up what was lost a year ago during Hurricane Ian, the third-costliest natural disaster to hit…

Featured image for “Florida sports betting faces a new challenge”
September 27, 2023

Florida sports betting faces a new challenge

Two parimutuel companies are challenging a multibillion-dollar gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe.…

Featured image for “How meteorologists are trying to explain weather risks better”
September 26, 2023

How meteorologists are trying to explain weather risks better

Many people didn’t heed evacuation warnings during Hurricane Ian. How can meteorologists help them understand?…