News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Lawakers approve history of communism for schools”
March 6, 2024

Lawakers approve history of communism for schools

Under a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Robert Charles Brannan III of Macclenny, the history of communism would be taught in…

Featured image for “Legislature votes to ban homeless sleeping in public”
A homeless camp is shown in Immokalee. | Andrea Melendez, WGCU
March 6, 2024

Legislature votes to ban homeless sleeping in public

The bill bars cities and counties from allowing people to sleep at places such as public buildings and in public…

Featured image for “Florida’s social media ban for kids called unconstitutional ”
Lawmakers did not identify which social media companies are affected by a ban for young children.
March 6, 2024

Florida’s social media ban for kids called unconstitutional 

Florida’s proposed social media regulations for children would require anyone who sets up an account to prove they’re old enough…

Featured image for “Security funding approved for Jewish day schools”
People of different faiths wear the Jewish kippah during a demonstration against anti-Semitism in Germany in April. | Jens Meyer, AP
March 5, 2024

Security funding approved for Jewish day schools

Legislation sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis would bolster security at a time of rising antisemitic incidents.…

Featured image for “Appeals court rejects Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE’ restrictions”
March 5, 2024

Appeals court rejects Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE’ restrictions

The three-judge panel said restrictions on workplace training violate First Amendment rights.…

Featured image for “Dozier victims endured woeful abuse under Florida’s watch”
Dick Colon, one of the white house boys, walks through grave sites near the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. | Phil Coale, AP
March 4, 2024

Dozier victims endured woeful abuse under Florida’s watch

The Legislature has approved restitution for men who were physically and sexually abused as boys while in state custody at…

Featured image for “House passes Palatka rep’s bill to lower gun-buying age”
March 1, 2024

House passes Palatka rep’s bill to lower gun-buying age

The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bobby Payne that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and…

Featured image for “Payday loans could get even more expensive”
March 1, 2024

Payday loans could get even more expensive

A pair of legislative bills would raise the scale of interest rates that payday lenders are allowed to charge borrowers.…

Featured image for “Florida may ban heat protections for workers”
Members of WeCount, an organization of outdoor workers demanding workplace protections against extreme heat, chant before a news conference July 18, 2023, at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center in Miami. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
March 1, 2024

Florida may ban heat protections for workers

Pending legislation would block local governments from guaranteeing outdoor workers access to shade, clean water, rest breaks and even heat…

Featured image for “Florida leaders seek other options on social media ban”
The Florida Legislature passed a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social media platforms. | JackF, Adobe Stock
February 29, 2024

Florida leaders seek other options on social media ban

Gov. Ron DeSantis has until Friday to sign, veto or allow a law to take effect banning children from social…

Featured image for “Lawmakers consider more job opportunities for veterans”
February 29, 2024

Lawmakers consider more job opportunities for veterans

House Bill 1329 helps out vets who are returning to civilian life and need a job or are looking to…

Featured image for “Major Florida health plan heads to governor”
February 23, 2024

Major Florida health plan heads to governor

The wide-ranging plan seeks to keep more doctors in Florida, promote innovation and shift patients away from emergency rooms.…

Featured image for “Legislature restricts driving in the left lane”
February 23, 2024

Legislature restricts driving in the left lane

A bill sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis would prohibit driving in the left lane on highways except under certain conditions,…

Featured image for “Legislature approves social media ban for kids”
The "Social Media Use for Minors" bill was passed by the Florida Senate on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. | Lauren Witte, Fresh Take Florida
February 22, 2024

Legislature approves social media ban for kids

HB 1 bans all kids under 16 from using social media and requires everyone else to prove they are adults…

Featured image for “First Coast kids join chorus against social media ban”
February 21, 2024

First Coast kids join chorus against social media ban

A young entrepreneur from Green Cove Springs says Instagram helped him start his business. He opposes a proposal to ban…

Featured image for “The sad death of a manatee nursed to health in Jacksonville”
A manatee comes to the surface for a breath at Three Sister Springs in Crystal River. | Lauren Whiddon, Fresh Take Florida
February 21, 2024

The sad death of a manatee nursed to health in Jacksonville

Asha was released into the wild after nearly two years at the Jacksonville Zoo. Then someone, for some reason, removed…

Featured image for “Athletics coaches may be required to take CPR training”
Students participate in NFL-sponsored activities at Rock Lake Neighborhood Center leading up to the Pro Bowl football game on Jan. 31, 2024, in Orlando. | Vera Nieuwenhuis, AP Images for NFL
February 20, 2024

Athletics coaches may be required to take CPR training

Pending legislation would require all coaches in Florida to be CPR certified and trained to use an automated external defibrillator.…

Featured image for “Florida gambling money may pay for environmental projects”
February 20, 2024

Florida gambling money may pay for environmental projects

Legislators have agreed to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in gambling money to expand a state wildlife corridor and…

Featured image for “Democrats believe DeSantis is losing grip on Legislature”
February 20, 2024

Democrats believe DeSantis is losing grip on Legislature

They point out that Republican leadership has refused to pursue certain culture war issues since Gov. Ron DeSantis failed in…

Featured image for “Florida House passes bill to allow bear killings”
Supporters of a bear hunt say the animals are becoming a nuisance.
February 19, 2024

Florida House passes bill to allow bear killings

Supporters say the bill is needed because more bears are venturing into residential areas in North Florida.…

Featured image for “Florida kids speak out against social media restrictions”
February 19, 2024

Florida kids speak out against social media restrictions

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok would likely become off-limits under a proposed ban on social media accounts for anyone under 16.…

Featured image for “Tens of thousands of workers in Florida have just lost their labor unions. More is coming.”
Members and staff of AFSCME Local 199 held a drive in June 2023 to get the amount of dues paying members past the 60% threshold created by a new Florida law. If unions fail to reach that threshold, they can be decertified and dissolved. | Daniel Rivero, WLRN
February 16, 2024

Tens of thousands of workers in Florida have just lost their labor unions. More is coming.

A sweeping anti-union bill signed last year has destroyed collective bargaining rights across the state — rights protected by the…

Featured image for “Why movies set in Florida aren’t filmed here anymore”
The pool house of the Casa de Muchas Flores is where scenes for the 1985 movie "Cocoon" was filmed. | Patrick Degnan, YourDigitalPro
February 15, 2024

Why movies set in Florida aren’t filmed here anymore

Jacksonville was once known as the “Winter Film Capital of the World.” Now movies set in Florida are actually filmed…

Featured image for “Should schools teach the history of communism?”
February 14, 2024

Should schools teach the history of communism?

Rep. Robert Charles Brannan III of Maccleny proposes that schools teach the history of communism in grades as low as…