News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Need a generator before a hurricane? Try this app”
September 25, 2023

Need a generator before a hurricane? Try this app

“Local Relief” is a localized social media platform bringing communities together during a weather emergency.…

Featured image for “Voucher delays frustrate families and schools”
September 25, 2023

Voucher delays frustrate families and schools

Some Florida students still have not received their private school vouchers, and it’s putting their schools in dire straits.…

Featured image for “This was the hottest August ever in Florida”
September 25, 2023

This was the hottest August ever in Florida

The heat is expected to persist through October, and 2023 is likely to be the hottest year globally since tracking…

Featured image for “Over 100K new students got Florida school vouchers”
September 15, 2023

Over 100K new students got Florida school vouchers

A total of 242,929 students have enrolled in 2,098 private schools using vouchers through the state’s expanded programs.…

Featured image for “Florida bucks feds on COVID-19 boosters”
Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo during an appearance Sept. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 14, 2023

Florida bucks feds on COVID-19 boosters

In a continued clash with federal health officials, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recommends against the new booster for anyone younger…

Featured image for “Private schools take up fight against Black history standards”
September 14, 2023

Private schools take up fight against Black history standards

Florida’s private schools are not bound by the same controversial standards as public schools. Many are preserving lessons rich in…

Featured image for “Florida’s education policies chase away college faculty”
Students walk by Century Tower on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. | Sam Thomas, Fresh Take Florida
September 13, 2023

Florida’s education policies chase away college faculty

Nearly half of the 642 Florida faculty surveyed said they plan to seek employment in another state within the next…

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 “Abortion rights issue moves closer to 2024 ballot”
September 8, 2023

Abortion rights issue moves closer to 2024 ballot

Floridians Protecting Freedom says it has collected enough signatures to get a review by the Florida Supreme Court.…

Featured image for “Online support group helps Floridians with storm anxiety”
Storm-related distress might look like changes in eating and sleeping, along with an increased reliance on drugs and alcohol.
September 7, 2023

Online support group helps Floridians with storm anxiety

Peer Support Space gives people a safe place to vent, share their feelings and get solutions to their storm-related anxiety.…

Featured image for “Moms for Liberty co-founder appointed to ethics panel”
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks June 30, 2023, at the group's meeting in Philadelphia. | Matt Rourke, AP
September 6, 2023

Moms for Liberty co-founder appointed to ethics panel

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed Tina Descovich to the Florida Commission on Ethics, which reviews conduct by public officers…

Featured image for “Survey finds food inflation is turning into a health crisis”
September 6, 2023

Survey finds food inflation is turning into a health crisis

Some people are reducing how much they eat, while others are opting for cheaper alternatives like junk foods or highly…

Featured image for “Hurricane Idalia’s aftermath: Over 250,000 without power”
A storm-damaged gas station is reflected in a puddle after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Perry. | Sean Rayford, Getty Images
August 31, 2023

Hurricane Idalia’s aftermath: Over 250,000 without power

Despite widespread damage, only a handful of deaths have been linked to the hurricane, a sizable contrast to Hurricane Ian.…

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 “Florida prisons grapple with ‘oppressive’ heat”
Record heat has made conditions tougher inside Florida's prisons.
August 2, 2023

Florida prisons grapple with ‘oppressive’ heat

Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island says conditions are brutal inside prisons without air conditioning.…

Featured image for “A new report details obstacles to maternity care in Florida”
August 1, 2023

A new report details obstacles to maternity care in Florida

Nearly 11% of Floridians have no birthing hospital within a 30-minute drive, and 13 Florida counties are considered maternity care…

Featured image for “Climate change may increase risk of mosquito-borne illness”
Mosquito
July 27, 2023

Climate change may increase risk of mosquito-borne illness

Florida, along with other parts of the country, has been getting hotter and wetter — ideal conditions for mosquitoes to…

Featured image for “Florida Ed Board OKs school book rules, rejects trans student protections and applauds ‘anti-woke’ state colleges ”
The State Board of Education, travels to sites around the state for its monthly meetings and met in Nassau County Wednesday. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
January 18, 2023

Florida Ed Board OKs school book rules, rejects trans student protections and applauds ‘anti-woke’ state colleges 

The State Board of Education signed off on measures in alignment with the priorities of Governor Ron DeSantis.…

Featured image for “DeSantis seeks grand jury probe into COVID-19 shots”
December 22, 2022

DeSantis seeks grand jury probe into COVID-19 shots

Saying that COVID-19 vaccines have been “pushed on Americans,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the state Supreme Court to…

Featured image for “Senate approves insurance overhaul. Will it help?”
December 22, 2022

Senate approves insurance overhaul. Will it help?

The Florida Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at shoring up the troubled property insurance system by curbing…

Featured image for “Florida’s insurance commissioner steps down a day after an industry overhaul was approved”
December 22, 2022

Florida’s insurance commissioner steps down a day after an industry overhaul was approved

After lawmakers this week passed an overhaul of the state’s property-insurance system, Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier on Thursday submitted…

Featured image for “Ten big issues addressed during Florida’s insurance overhaul”
December 22, 2022

Ten big issues addressed during Florida’s insurance overhaul

Florida lawmakers this week held a special session and passed a 105-page bill aimed at stabilizing the state’s troubled property-insurance…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill to stabilize insurance industry”
December 22, 2022

DeSantis signs bill to stabilize insurance industry

Anticipating the need for more legislation about the state’s troubled property insurance system, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed bills…

Featured image for “A report documents challenges to establishing more affordable housing in Florida”
December 22, 2022

A report documents challenges to establishing more affordable housing in Florida

Rents and home prices rose dramatically in Florida over the past few years. In an annual trends report published earlier…