Featured image for “Here are the new rules on kids and social media”
Lawmakers did not identify which social media companies are affected by a ban for young children.
July 23, 2024

Here are the new rules on kids and social media

The state has published details about how it will carry out a new law aimed at keeping young children off…

Featured image for “Jacksonville unveils 12-point plan to battle homelessness”
People sit outside tents on East Adams Street in Downtown Jacksonville, near North Liberty Street. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 22, 2024

Jacksonville unveils 12-point plan to battle homelessness

The city’s plan attacks homelessness on multiple fronts and carries out a new state law that bans camping on public…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill increasing penalties for street racing”
A state trooper on patrol along the Gandy Bridge in Tampa pulled over a Nissan GTR traveling over 100 mph on Oct. 20, 2023. The driver was charged with street racing. | Florida Highway Patrol via WUSF
May 8, 2024

DeSantis signs bill increasing penalties for street racing

Rep. Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican, co-sponsored the bill. She said current penalities have not been a deterrent for many…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs credit union bill in Jacksonville”
Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Jacksonville to sign a bill allowing the state to deposit money in credit unions. | News4Jax
May 2, 2024

DeSantis signs credit union bill in Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s financial services industry could benefit from a bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Thursday at VyStar Credit Union headquarters.…

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 “DeSantis comes to Jacksonville to sign social media limits on kids”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed shows HB 3, the social media restrictions he signed Monday, March 25, 2024, at Cornerstone Classical Academy in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 25, 2024

DeSantis comes to Jacksonville to sign social media limits on kids

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB3 at Cornerstone Classical Academy, banning children younger than 14 from having social media accounts.…

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 “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 “Jacksonville panel urges DeSantis to veto ethics bill”
General Counsel Michael Fackler advises the Jacksonville Ethics Commission about its opposition to recently passed ethics legislation. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 15, 2024

Jacksonville panel urges DeSantis to veto ethics bill

The Jacksonville Ethics Commission says a bill passed in the Legislature would gut its ability to root out wrongdoing in…

Featured image for “Ethics officials worry new law will tie their hands”
Uncertainty surrounds Jax ethics commission following ethics legislation approval.
March 12, 2024

Ethics officials worry new law will tie their hands

The Jacksonville Ethics Commission says new restrictions on ethics complaints could foster misconduct by public officials.…

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 “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…

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 “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 “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 “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.…