Tag Archives: Florida

Florida Politics reports: Senators voted 30-7 for the bill (SB 140), which would change the standard by which Florida municipalities can turn over a public school’s facilities and operations to a private education company. SB 140, which still needs to pass in the House, would modify state statutes to remove district School Boards, principals, teachers and school advisory councils from …

Politico reports: Democrats may get a second shot at running a party convert for Florida governor in their ongoing effort to claw back the state’s battleground status. Former Republican Rep. David Jolly, who has made a national name for himself as a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, took a step Thursday toward a possible run for governor of Florida …

Florida Politics reports: As First Lady Casey DeSantis continues to draw scrutiny along with Hope Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging people to differentiate that program’s “smashing success” from the finances of the Hope Florida Foundation. “I think what they’re doing with this Foundation is they’re trying to smear the program by implication and trying to smear the First Lady, …

The Miami Herald reports: The $10 million that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted to a state-created charity last year consisted of Medicaid dollars owed to state and federal taxpayers, contrary to what the governor and other officials have publicly asserted. Three years ago, lawyers working with the state drew up a settlement agreement that said Florida’s largest Medicaid contractor, Centene, …

NBC News reports: Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., defended tech billionaire Elon Musk at a town hall Monday night at which he was grilled about DOGe’ss cost-cutting measures and the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives and its approach to the Israel-Hamas war. After a man in the audience shouted that Donalds ought to read a particular book, Donalds fired …

The Associated Press reports: Students and instructors will have the option of holding classes remotely or in person, depending on the class. The school has waived all mandatory attendance policies that could affect grades, so students won’t be punished if they choose not to go to class in person, FSU President Richard McCullough said in a letter to students and …

The Miami Herald reports: A federal judge on Friday said she was “astounded” that Florida authorities violated her order blocking them from enforcing a new state law that targets undocumented immigrants who enter the state. During a hearing in Miami federal court, it was disclosed that as many as 15 arrests have been made by Florida law enforcement officers over …

“Casey and I stand in solidarity and are praying for the entire Florida State community. We’re mourning the two individuals who lost their lives in this tragic attack, and we wish well of those who are currently recovering in the hospital. “This killer must and will be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. I want to …

CNN reports: Two people are dead after a shooting at Florida State University, according to FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower. He said five others were reported to a local hospital with gunshot wounds. The shooter was also taken to the hospital, Trumbower said. Around 11:50 a.m. ET today, a gunman opened fire on the main campus of Florida State …

The Tallahassee Democrat reports: At least six people were injured, one critically, at Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus Thursday when someone opened fire. FSU sent out a text message around noon warning of an active shooter near the student union. Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Turner confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that they have “a man in custody” and “multiple …

Florida Politics reports: A bill placing “In God We Trust” language on school campuses is heading to the House floor. The Education and Employment Committee advanced the bill (HB 1009). If it passes, the slogan must be in “clearly visible location and public area of the school which is readily accessible to and widely used by students and in a …

NBC News reports: The staff at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare is “receiving and caring for patients” from the reported shooting at the university, a representative for the hospital said in a statement this afternoon. “At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share,” the representative said. “However, we want to assure the community …

The Tallahassee Democrat reports: There is an active shooter on Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus, according to an alert sent from the university, with multiple social media reports of gunshots being heard. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office has sent out their helicopter to go over the campus, according to LCSO spokesperson Javonni Hampton. She was unaware if any LCSO officers …

Florida Politics reports: A Zoom meeting held by First Lady Casey DeSantis’ embattled Hope Florida was interrupted as the public bombarded the Board with a Nazi flag, racial slurs and pornography. The Hope Florida Foundation struggled to control the meeting and apparently didn’t have security measures in place to prevent trolls from sharing inappropriate content. “It looks like some of …

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports: A New College of Florida marketing director was arrested Tuesday night for exposing his sexual organs, Manatee County officials say. The incident marks one of four arrests for indecent exposure in Sarasota and Manatee Counties related to 47-year-old Frederick Piccolo Jr. He previously worked as the spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the director of marketing, …

Florida Politics reports: Members of the House and Senate are getting behind an effort to restrict oil drilling and exploration near the Florida coast. In the House, Representatives unanimously backed that chamber’s bill on the full floor, prompting cheers and applause from lawmakers. The House measure (HB 1143), sponsored Rep. Jason Shoaf, a St. Joe Republican whose House District 7 …

Florida Politics reports: The Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committee has unanimously voted down appointing former Rep. Joel Rudman to the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees. The Navarre Republican faced trouble from the committee based on comments he made on a recent X Spaces chat. Senators said the apparent threats to expose or embarrass lawmakers if he wasn’t confirmed would …

Florida Politics reports: The next stop for bills promoting the “Gulf of America” name is Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis was the first state official to use the new name in an executive order declaring a state of emergency over a winter storm last month. That order said the inclement weather was headed to Florida across the “Gulf of America.” …

“Florida is a land of color, contrast and coastline, of diverse wildlife, unique ecosystems and unmatched spirit. Let me ask you, when the world thinks of Florida, do they think of a gray mockingbird or do they see a bold, bright flamingo standing tall in the sun? “We often say Florida is unlike anywhere else. Let’s prove it. The flamingo …

Miami’s CBS affiliate reports: The man accused of plotting to kill President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club during the presidential campaign will face new charges – this time in the state of Florida. Accused would-be assassin Ryan Routh already faces federal charges after he allegedly hid outside the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club before …