March 5, 2024
The three-judge panel said restrictions on workplace training violate First Amendment rights.…
News from around the state of Florida
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
February 14, 2024
UF Health included in plan to boost behavioral health care
UF Health Jacksonville would become a teaching hospital in behavioral health under two bills in the Florida Legislature.…
February 14, 2024
The flamingo may finally take its place as Florida’s state bird
Two bills in the Legislature would dethrone the noisy and occasionally combative mockingbird as the reigning state bird after nearly…
February 12, 2024
Law could make it easier to remove squatters from homes
After hearing horror stories of property being taken over by squatters, the Florida Legislature is taking action.…
February 12, 2024
Advocates worry more public schools could become charters
A legislative bill would allow muncipalities to apply to convert public schools within city boundaries into charters.…