News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect Wednesday”
April 30, 2024

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect Wednesday

Until the law changes, abortions are allowed in Florida up to 15 weeks. The change has people on both sides…

Featured image for “When private pilots falter, air controllers are saviors of skies”
To pilots, especially ones in mortal danger, air traffic controllers are voices at the end of a lifeline. | Illustration by Sydney Johnson, Fresh Take Florida
April 29, 2024

When private pilots falter, air controllers are saviors of skies

On the ground, air traffic controllers are average people, exposed to the threat of emotional trauma in one of the…

Featured image for “Weather Service debuts experimental ‘heat risk’ index”
A worker takes a water break under the sun. The Florida Legislature earlier this year passed a law that restricts local governments from creating tougher heat protections for workers. | Jacksonville Today file photo
April 26, 2024

Weather Service debuts experimental ‘heat risk’ index

The Heat Risk Index identifies unusual heat for individual locations, matching data on heat illnesses with temperatures.…

Featured image for “In Florida, an exodus from anti-immigrant sentiment”
Manuel Vazquez, owner of Coya's artisan ice cream, poses for a photo as he carries a tray of ice pops in the kitchen of his shop in Fort Myers on Feb. 26, 2024. | Marco Bello for NPR
April 25, 2024

In Florida, an exodus from anti-immigrant sentiment

Florida’s tough immigration law has led many immgrants to flee the state. Those who remain live in fear.…

Featured image for “Qualifying period begins for Florida congressional races”
April 24, 2024

Qualifying period begins for Florida congressional races

A lawsuit over a North Florida congressional district continues to work its way through the courts.…

Featured image for “Video games could become a high school sport in Florida”
The Florida High School Athletic Association is considering whether to sanction esports. | News Service of Florida
April 22, 2024

Video games could become a high school sport in Florida

The Florida High School Athletic Association is considering whether to sanction competitive video gaming, or esports, as an official sport.…

Featured image for “Why some retired Floridians are returning to work”
April 22, 2024

Why some retired Floridians are returning to work

Many seniors are finding they must work to keep up with inflation, house prices, insurance rates and home maintenance costs.…

Featured image for “Florida kids may qualify for free swimming lessons”
Lifeguard Darnell Cooper instructs Marquis Bryant, 7, during a swimming lesson June 18, 2015, at Gwen Cherry Park in Miami. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
April 19, 2024

Florida kids may qualify for free swimming lessons

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill creating a swimming lesson voucher program. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill allowing chaplains in public schools”
Religious chaplains will be permitted to act as school counselors in K-12 schools in Florida.
April 18, 2024

DeSantis signs bill allowing chaplains in public schools

Parental pemission will be required for children to participate in counseling by volunteer chaplains.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill for anti-communism lessons in schools”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will lead to the history of communism being taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. | Phil Sears, AP file
April 17, 2024

DeSantis signs bill for anti-communism lessons in schools

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a measure that will lead to the history of communism being taught in grades…

Featured image for “Sargassum buries beaches and threatens tourism”
Brian Lapointe, an algae bloom expert at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, is deep into his research on how to best dispose of large sargassum mats landing on Florida and Caribbean beaches every summer. | Florida Atlantic University, WGCU
April 17, 2024

Sargassum buries beaches and threatens tourism

Deep piles of sargassum, normally stuck out in the Atlantic Ocean, are finding a way to foul many Florida beaches…

Featured image for “New college survey probes students’ political views”
University of Florida students walk through Turlington Plaza on April 9, 2024. | Lee Ann Anderson, Fresh Take Florida
April 17, 2024

New college survey probes students’ political views

The voluntary survey is loaded with ideological political questions, including: Is it hard to be friends with people who voted…

Featured image for “State warns of wildfire risk despite wetter winter”
The Sandy Fire burns in the Big Cypress National Preserve in 2023. Fire officials say lighting started the blaze, which charred nearly 10,000 acres and reduced visibility along roadways. | Matt Counts, National Park Service
April 12, 2024

State warns of wildfire risk despite wetter winter

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said people should limit debris on their properties as wildfire season begins.…

Featured image for “Questions raised in Florida immigration fight”
April 11, 2024

Questions raised in Florida immigration fight

A federal appeals court is looking at whether Florida can legally challenge Biden administration immigration policies.…

Featured image for “Severe storms and flash flooding possible on Thursday”
April 10, 2024

Severe storms and flash flooding possible on Thursday

As storms track across the state, the squall line will be capable of generating damaging wind gusts or 60 mph…

Featured image for “Federal judge blocks restriction on teacher pronoun use”
A judge blocked Florida education officials from enforcing a law requiring a transgender teacher to use pronouns that align with her sex assigned at birth. | WGCU file
April 10, 2024

Federal judge blocks restriction on teacher pronoun use

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said Florida violates a teacher’s First Amendment rights by restricting which pronouns she can…

Featured image for “Judge refuses to halt FSU’s lawsuit against ACC”
Florida State University's football team plays at Doak Campbell Stadium. | News Service of Florida
April 10, 2024

Judge refuses to halt FSU’s lawsuit against ACC

Florida State University contends it would owe $500 million in penalties to exit the Atlantic Coast Conference.…

Featured image for “Abortion ballot issue might not end legal fights”
April 9, 2024

Abortion ballot issue might not end legal fights

Three Supreme Court justices warned about legal fights if the abortion rights amendment passes in Florida.…

Featured image for “Forecasters predict ‘very, very busy’ hurricane season”
Colorado State University predicts 23 named storms this year and 11 hurricanes.
April 5, 2024

Forecasters predict ‘very, very busy’ hurricane season

Researchers at Colorado State University are projecting 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, including five major hurricanes.…

Featured image for “DeSantis: ‘This state will start to smell like marijuana’”
April 5, 2024

DeSantis: ‘This state will start to smell like marijuana’

Gov. Ron DeSantis lashed out Thursday at proposed constitutional amendments that would protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana.…

Featured image for “Six issues headed to the November ballot”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Jan. 9, 2024. | Gary McCullough, AP
April 4, 2024

Six issues headed to the November ballot

Floridians will consider six proposed constitutional amendments including abortion rights, recreational marijuana and partisan school board elections.…

Featured image for “Planned Parenthood prepares for 6-week abortion ban”
Patients often have to wait four to five weeks for an appointment at Planned Parenthood's Tallahassee health center due to increased demand, officials said. | Colin Abbey, Planned Parenthood Of South, East And North Florida
April 3, 2024

Planned Parenthood prepares for 6-week abortion ban

Centers in North Florida and elswhere have been working for months to strengthen partnerships with health centers in other states.…

Featured image for “Democrats could benefit from abortion and marijuana votes”
A woman joins hundreds gathering for an abortion rights rally outside the Duval County Courthouse on June 24, 2022. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today.
April 2, 2024

Democrats could benefit from abortion and marijuana votes

The two issues are widely expected to boost turnout among voters who feel strongly about both matters, particularly suburban women…

Featured image for “Florida voting advocates fight to keep voting rolls accurate”
April 2, 2024

Florida voting advocates fight to keep voting rolls accurate

Florida left the Electronic Voter Registration System last year. Now an election watch group says ERIC was the best way…