Federal Court Ruling Could Compel Florida To Pause On Permitting Dredge And Fill Of Wetlands

A national environmental law organization cites a sweeping Aug. 31 federal ruling limiting states’ authority on such permitting.

Aquarium To Turn Winter's Old Home Into Manatee Rescue Center

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium will transform Winter the dolphin's former home into a manatee rehabilitation center.

Florida Braces For Effects Of A Restrictive Abortion Ban In Texas, And What It Means For Roe V. Wade

A Texas law that heavily restricts access to abortions could have astounding implications for the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

GOP-Heavy Committees Prepare To Draw Fla., Districts That Will Shape Decade Of Elections

The state lawmakers who will draw new electoral districts that will shape Florida elections in 2022 and beyond were announced Friday.

Vaccine Incentives: Fla., Venues Offer Gift Cards, Food Vouchers; Other States Promote Huge Prizes

On the COVID vaccine front, states across the U.S. promote giveaways, scholarships and large cash prizes to urge residents to get the shots.

More School Boards Face Pay Cuts And A 5 P.M. Deadline To Comply With Controversial Florida Mask Policies

As tensions rise over punitive measures by the state, several school boards face a 5 p.m. deadline today to comply with state mask policies.

Florida Set To Boost The Minimum Wage To $10 An Hour — ‘A Dramatic Difference' For Low-Wage Workers

Later this month, Fla., workers will see a significant bump to the state's minimum wage, part of a voter-approved constitutional amendment.

Seminole Tribe Joins Fray In Lawsuits Over Gambling Deal Bringing Sports Betting To Florida

As was inevitable, the plot thickens as Florida's contentious new gambling laws come under legal attack on multiple fronts.

Punishment: Fla., Officials Withhold Pay To Alachua, Broward School Boards Despite Court Mask Ruling

The Dept. of Education withheld state funds from these two boards for adopting mask mandates that allegedly violate "parental rights."

DeSantis Says Vaccines Are Best Tool Against COVID; But How's Florida Doing On The Vaccination Front?

Back in December, Gov. Ron DeSantis prioritized the elderly population for COVID-19 vaccines, a strategy that went against the status quo.

New Environmental Secretary Appointed As Florida Ecosystems Deteriorate

Shawn Hamilton, newly named secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has a daunting task ahead of him.

Fried To DeSantis: State's Top Environmental Appointment Is Not His Call To Make

“As I reminded (DeSantis), he lacks the legal authority to unilaterally make this appointment," Fried said.

Unencumbered By State Expectations On Masks, Florida Private Schools Have Varied Approaches To Policies

Tina Meadows, director of a private school called Grace Success Academy in Miami-Dade County, has had students and staff under mandate.

Prison Policy Report Issues Florida Prisons An “F” Grade For COVID Response

Florida state prisons had the nation's third-highest number of COVID-19 deaths among inmates, 17th highest in its mortality rate, for the F.

An Escalating Legal War Could Be On The Horizon For School Boards And Masks Mandates In Florida Schools

The school mask mandate controversy could involve more legal battles, according to school district officials.

DeSantis Loses: Judge Rules Local School Boards Can Implement Mask Mandates

The DeSantis administration suffered a major legal defeat Friday when a state trial judge ruled that the governor exceeded his authority.

45 States Have Sent In Plans To Receive More Federal COVID Funds Earmarked For Schools; Fla., Is Not One Of Them

Florida is one of 5 states that has not submitted a state plan for COVID relief to the U.S. Department of Education, holding up billions.

As COVID Flares, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees Is On The Way Out; Who Will Replace Him?

Rarely seen in public since April 2020, Florida Surgeon General Rivkees will officially disappear from the Department of Health next month.

Will More School Districts Impose Mask Mandates Following Leon Court Ruling On Mask Policies?

A Friday court ruling vindicated the mask policies of 10 Florida school districts that have mandated masks without parental opt-outs.

Not All Mask Mandates Are Equal: 10 Florida School Districts Have Varied Approaches

In a statewide conflict over school mask policies, 10 school districts are defying state orders by mandating masks for students.

DeSantis Spreads Word On Monoclonals; Faces Pushback From Big School Districts, Cruise Industry

DeSantis is amid a court battle and facing pushback from the state's largest school districts and Florida's massive cruise industry.

Judge: Lawsuit Over DeSantis Schools Mask Policy Tests Uncharted Legal Waters

The trial pitting parents critical of Gov. Ron DeSantis's school masking policies against the administration extends into this afternoon.

Statewide Teacher Union Uses Data, News Reports To Chronicle School-Related COVID Deaths And More

As the second school year of COVID-19 continues, this union is chronicling deaths, classroom closures, those testing positive, other data.

A Boy With An Autoimmune Disease Was Ready To Learn In Person

Then his state banned mask mandates.

Meet An “Amazing” Who Provides Uplift Throughout The Pandemic

Bonnie Bowen, at 91, continues to do what she loves best: create watercolors that inspire, uplift and support others.

Building away from Taxpayer Burdens

New building permit data shows where people are moving to

Will FL Families Rush To Vaccinate Children Below 12 Against COVID? Or Will They Be Hesitant?

With federal health officials thinking about a new age span for vaccinations — shots to kids below age 12 — families confront questions.

DeSantis Adviser Takes (Virtual) Stand In Lawsuit Testing School Masks Policy

Lawyers for the DeSantis administration spent much of Tuesday trying to undermine the credibility of its key witness.

Moms In ‘Liberty' Group Fight School Mask Mandates As COVID Spikes In Schools

In T-shirts emblazoned with “Moms for Liberty," a vocal group of mothers has dominated public comments at Fla., school board meetings.

Former Florida State Football Coach Bobby Bowden Dies At 91

Bowden built the Florida State program into a powerhouse that won 22 bowl games and two national titles in his 33 years as its coach.

Florida and Arizona gain Boomer population

New York, California, and Illinois lose Boomer population

Court Throws Out Wrongful Conviction Of Duval Man Imprisoned 7 Years, Says Jury Was "Deprived Of Hearing Critical Evidence"

A Duval County man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 20 years for a 2013 armed robbery must get a new trial, an appellate court ruled.

DeSantis Signs Up Florida For Sweeping Legal Assault On Abortion Rights In The U.S. Supreme Court

"I’m the only one running for governor who’s never wavered in support of our right to choose. I’ll fight (vigorously) to stop this” -- Fried

DeSantis Continues To Push The Florida Supreme Court To The Right; Names New Member Of Nominating Panel

DeSantis has named another member of the conservative legal movement to a panel that screens potential justices, Timothy Cerio.

Internet Crackdown In Cuba Frustrates Families, Friends In The U.S.

Bipartisan Florida lawmakers are lobbying the Biden Administration to support the protesters, saying Internet access is vital.

Governor's Office Is Unforthcoming About His Whereabouts Again; DeSantis Ducking Reporters

Lack of notice to the press — intermediaries for the taxpayers DeSantis works for — is a persistent problem for the DeSantis administration.

DeSantis Wins Again In Legal Battle Over COVID Protocols On Cruise Ships, But Storm Clouds Are On The Horizon

DeSantis is in a legal battle with federal public health authorities over whether to require cruise ship passengers, crew to be vaccinated.

Crist And Fried, Top Contenders In 2022 Gubernatorial Race, Blast DeSantis Over COVID Surges

Top Democratic candidates are going after Republican DeSantis over COVID surges, saying he is "playing Russian Roulette" with the issue.

Florida Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy Offers Empathy To Capitol Police Officer: ‘I Listened To You Struggle'

U.S. Rep. Murphy empathized with a U.S. Capitol Police officer who offered testimony on the deadly Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters.

Traditional Public School Educators Left Out From DeSantis Roundtable On Masks At Schools

DeSantis held a roundtable discussion about masks at schools, but the media wasn't allowed to attend and Commissioner Corcoran wasn't there.