News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Judge to consider Florida’s school pronoun restrictions”
A transgender teacher at Lennard High School is seeking an injunction against a law that restricts pronouns and titles that educators can use in Florida public schools. | Hillsborough County Public Schools
March 28, 2024

Judge to consider Florida’s school pronoun restrictions

A lawsuit contends the restrictions violate a federal civil rights law and the First Amendment.…

Featured image for “The squeeze drought: Fresh OJ is disappearing in Florida”
March 28, 2024

The squeeze drought: Fresh OJ is disappearing in Florida

Housing development and citrus greening have had a devasting effect on Florida’s citrus industry.…

Featured image for “Severe storms and flooding threaten North Florida”
March 27, 2024

Severe storms and flooding threaten North Florida

Showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain will be possible all day Wednesday before showers move out of the area Thursday.…

Featured image for “Home sales may carry smaller commissions”
March 26, 2024

Home sales may carry smaller commissions

A lawsuit settlement could result in commissions falling to 3% or 4% compared with 5% to 6% now.…

Featured image for “Realtors and lodging industry clash over vacation rentals”
Jacksonville Beach would be among the communities impacted by proposed vacation rentals legislation. | ill Bortzfield, WJCT News 89.9
March 26, 2024

Realtors and lodging industry clash over vacation rentals

Jacksonville Beach Vice Mayor Sandy Golding said proposed changes would make it problematic for local officials to ensure visitors are…

Featured image for “Youth coaches now must undergo CPR training”
Manager Mike Sagaro prepares Team MVP from Miami for a matchup against the Lamorinda Spartans of Walnut Creek, California, on Aug. 24, 2013. | Lance Murphey, AP
March 26, 2024

Youth coaches now must undergo CPR training

A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis requires coaches at public K-12 schools to get CPR training every two…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill easing teen work restrictions”
Gov. Ron DeSantis smiles after his 2020 State of the State Speech in Tallahassee. | Justin Bright, Fresh Take Florida
March 25, 2024

DeSantis signs bill easing teen work restrictions

The bill will ease decades-old regulations on the hours that 16- and 17-year-old Floridians can work.…

Featured image for “Florida justices turn down challenge to sports betting”
March 22, 2024

Florida justices turn down challenge to sports betting

The Florida Supreme Court said opponents of the Seminole Tribe’s gambling agreement were taking the wrong approach to challenge it.…

Featured image for “Push underway to expand Medicaid in Florida”
March 22, 2024

Push underway to expand Medicaid in Florida

Advocates are pushing a proposed state constitutional amendment that would expand Medicaid eligibility.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville works to comply with new homeless law”
A person sits near their tent in an empty lot near Ashley and Clay streets in Downtown Jacksonville on March 8, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 21, 2024

Jacksonville works to comply with new homeless law

Mayor Donna Deegan says the law adds urgency to efforts the city has already begun to get people off the…

Featured image for “Heavy rain headed toward Florida starting Friday”
March 21, 2024

Heavy rain headed toward Florida starting Friday

Northeast Florida could receive 1 to 2 inches of rain as several rounds of storms hit Florida on Friday and…

Featured image for “Sea turtle nesting season arrives on Florida’s coasts”
March 19, 2024

Sea turtle nesting season arrives on Florida’s coasts

People can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting…

Featured image for “Lawmakers expand marijuana licenses for Black farmers”
Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, led efforts to expand the number of medical marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmers. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida.
March 19, 2024

Lawmakers expand marijuana licenses for Black farmers

Expansion of medical marijuana licenses for Black farmers was included in a wide-ranging bill championed by Sen. Tracie Davis of…

Featured image for “Florida Legislature continues to reduce local authority”
March 18, 2024

Florida Legislature continues to reduce local authority

The 2024 Florida Legislature passed a number of “preemption bills” on issues ranging from local wages to vacation rentals and…

Featured image for “PolitiFact FL: DeSantis said Citizens Insurance ‘is not solvent.’ That’s misleading.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, second from right, visits a home whose interior was heavily damaged by storm surge during the passage of Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 31, 2023, in Horseshoe Beach. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
March 18, 2024

PolitiFact FL: DeSantis said Citizens Insurance ‘is not solvent.’ That’s misleading.

Insolvency means a company cannot pay its bills today. That’s not so with Citizens, which has a $5 billion surplus.…

Featured image for “What to know with hurricane season a few months away”
March 15, 2024

What to know with hurricane season a few months away

The countdown to hurricane season has begun, and Florida emergency management offices are sharing safety tips.…

Featured image for “Settlement reached over Florida’s parental rights law”
LGBTQ+ advocates gather before a Duval School Board meeting. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
March 12, 2024

Settlement reached over Florida’s parental rights law

The state settled a lawsuit over a law that critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The settlement allows LGBTQ+ references in…

Featured image for “Stranded sperm whale dies off Venice Beach”
A 50-foot-long sperm whale that was stranded on a sandbar off a Venice beach has died. State wildlife and local law enforcement officials remained at the Service Club Park beach area Monday, March 11, 2024. | Andrea Melendez, WGCU
March 11, 2024

Stranded sperm whale dies off Venice Beach

Marine experts say the death of a sperm whale off the Venice coast will help them learn about an endangered…

Featured image for “Protesters call on DeSantis to veto vaping regulations”
Protesters speak out against a bill that would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in Florida at a demonstration on West Brevard Street outside the governor's mansion on Thursday, March 7, 2024. | Valerie Crowder, WFSU News
March 11, 2024

Protesters call on DeSantis to veto vaping regulations

Opponents say a bill prohibiting the sale of flavored e-cigarettes would be damaging for businesses.…

Featured image for “Here are 10 big issues the Legislature addressed this year”
Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address to start the 2022 legislative session. | Tom Urban, News Service of Florida
March 11, 2024

Here are 10 big issues the Legislature addressed this year

The 2024 legislative session included action on working teens, social media for children, education, health care, homlessness and more.…

Featured image for “Chaplains may be allowed in public schools”
Religious chaplains will be permitted to act as school counselors in K-12 schools in Florida.
March 8, 2024

Chaplains may be allowed in public schools

The Florida Senate approved a bill that lets school districts and charter schools adopt policies allowing volunteers to serve as…

Featured image for “Which social media are banned for teens? No one knows”
Lawmakers did not identify which social media companies are affected by a ban for young children.
March 8, 2024

Which social media are banned for teens? No one knows

A social media ban approved by the Legislature is so narrowly crafted that it’s not clear which popular online platforms…

Featured image for “Tracie Davis of Jacksonville to lead Senate Democrats”
State Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, had the biggest primary victory margin, with 95% of the vote on Aug. 20.
March 7, 2024

Tracie Davis of Jacksonville to lead Senate Democrats

State Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville is slated to become the Senate Democratic leader after the 2026 elections.…

Featured image for “How your legislators voted on social media crackdown”
The Florida Legislature approved a bill that would prevent children under age 16 from opening social media accounts without their parents' permission.
March 7, 2024

How your legislators voted on social media crackdown

The Florida Legislature has approved a bill that seeks to keep children off social media platforms. Gov. Ron DeSantis is…