Despite DeSantis's Actions, Some Florida Juveniles Facing Felonies Have Been Helped By “Diversion” Programs

The PACE Center for Girls Broward, a youth diversion program, offers education, counseling, and other services, the report states.

Lawsuit Targets DeSantis Administration For Blocking Extra Federal Unemployment Benefits In Fla.

The DeSantis administration broke state law when it cut off enhanced federal unemployment benefits of $300 in June, according to a lawsuit.

Pinellas 5th Grade Teacher Sarah Painter Is 2022 Teacher Of The Year Following Tough COVID-19 Campaign

“Find Joy” is Ms. Painter's motto, and, combined with the students' positivity, the phrase "changed a mindset across our school," she said.

$15 Billion Earmarked For FL Schools To Help Students In Pandemic Largely Unused

By the spring of 2020, reality was setting in that the COVID-19 pandemic would stick around for quite some time.

Black Women's Felon-Voter-Restoration Case In Florida Draws Sympathetic Hearing During 11th Circuit Arguments

Abudo of the Southern Poverty Law Center said, “We do not have to establish that Gov. DeSantis is a misogynist or that he is a racist."

DeSantis Targets Ben & Jerry's Over Its Planned Boycott Of The Occupied Territories

The action reflects DeSantis's aspiration "to be the most pro-Israel governor in the United States," according to the report.

As COVID Caseload Spikes, DeSantis Vows Again: No More Lockdowns In Florida

COVID-19 cases surge in Florida and the transmissible Delta variant continues to circulate. DeSantis says his non-action "helps" people.

Fewer Floridians Fully Vaccinated Combined With Rising Cases 'Problematic'

The rising number of cases in Florida is "spurred by more contagious variants," the report states.

Opioid Settlement Would Bring Billions Of Dollars For Addiction Treatment, Prevention, To Florida

Fla.'s share of a settlement with an opioid manufacturer and distributors accused of contributing to the epidemic could reach $1.6 billion.

Anti-DeSantis Billboards Sprout Near Governor's Mansion In Tallahassee

DeSantis preps a reelection bid for 2022 as political action committees collect campaign contributions to target him and support Democrats.

Seminole Tribe Leader Marcellus Osceola Jr., Is Elusive, Inspiring — But Likely Unknown To Many Floridians

Other than the confirmation that he lives in S. Florida with his family, Marcellus W. Osceola Jr., remains a mystery, the report states.

Federal Appeals Court Will Hear Novel Argument Against Felon Voting Restrictions

Initially called a DeSantis victory, the case is expected to hear arguments as to whether it violates the 19th Amendment.

Florida Environmentalists Seek Legal Rights For Water And Wildlife

This network of environmentalist underdogs proved last year they could beat the system at the local level.

Florida, Other States Are Set To Rake In New Gambling Revenue; Who Will Benefit?

Several Florida politicians and officials offer opinions herein on how the revenue should be allocated or spent.

AARP Report: Florida Has One Of The Lowest Rates Nationwide For Vaccinations Among Nursing Home Staff

This stark rate occurs as health officials and the Biden administration continue to push Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

A Conundrum Over Masks: Two Major Health Authorities Differ On School Masks

What should schools do when two major health-related groups conflict on how to handle the face-mask issue, as the new academic year looms?

Federal Appeals Court Sides With CDC On Cruise Ship Rules; DeSantis Vows To Go To U.S. Supreme Court, If Necessary

A federal appeals court dealt Gov. Ron DeSantis a setback in his legal fight with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DeSantis On COVID Surge: A "Seasonal Phenomenon," While Offering His View On "Reaching" People

Over a 7-day period ending July 15, Fla., reported 45,605 new infections. DeSantis played it down, noting "misinformation" and "bad advice."

Testing The Air To Tell A Story

How we investigated air pollution near Florida's sugar fields.

Gambling Gold Rush: Florida OKs Two More Constitutional Amendment Drives For 2022 Ballot

Florida's race to cash in on gambling heated up in a super way, with two more constitutional amendments now proposed.

In Florida Case, U.S. Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Harassment Over Housing Eviction

A federal appeals court has revived a South Florida woman's lawsuit alleging a property manager violated the federal Fair Housing Act.

State Sen. Randolph Bracy Leads In Campaign Fundraising For Central Fla., Congressional Seat

Donations from lawyers, lobbyists, political action committees, other individuals have contributed more than $165,000 for Bracy's campaign.

The Politics Of Surfside: Disaster Exposes Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) To Risk

Gov. Ron DeSantis has won bipartisan praise for his response to the Surfside condominium disaster (for the most part).

‘Teaching It A Lesson’: Florida Man Tries To Toss Live Gator

The man was arrested in Daytona Beach Shores after allegedly stealing the alligator from a miniature golf course, according to reports.

Delta Variant Accounts For Nearly 60 Percent Of New COVID Cases In U.S; In Fla., Cases Overall Are Climbing

The contagious Delta variant accounts for 57.6 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the United States, with Mo., with the highest percentage.

Groups Sue To Block Enforcement Of DeSantis's Anti-Riot Law, As Cuban Violators In Florida Go Largely Untouched

Civil rights groups have asked a federal judge to block enforcement of HB 1, DeSantis's crackdown on street protests.

Florida Board Of Education Approves New Standards For Certain Subjects — Including Contentious Civic Standards

The new or revised standards are expected to span subjects from substance use and abuse, to character education, civics, and the Holocaust.

State Board Of Education To Vote On Controversial Civics Standards; DeSantis And Wife Earlier Attended Meeting

DeSantis's Wednesday appearance at Florida's State Board of Education meeting was termed "unusual," the report states.

Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic, Nurses Of Color In Florida Face Issues Surrounding ‘Structural Racism'

The nursing field, rife with systemic racism and health care inequities across the country, affects nurses of color disproportionately.

Florida Needs More Science Teachers, As Education Agency Shows Shortfalls

School districts may struggle to find science teachers in the upcoming year, a Department of Education report shows.

Florida's Competing Gambling Interests Pour At Least $62 Million Into PACs

Gambling-related contributions flooded into Florida in June, according to campaign finance records, indicating gambling wealth up for grabs.

FanDuel And DraftKings Pump $20 Million Into Sports-Betting Initiative For The 2022 Ballot

Titans FanDuel and DraftKings poured $20 million in June into a campaign to legalize sports betting by amending the Fla. Constitution.

GOP Leaders In Florida Launch Digital Ad Promoting Conservative Ideals; Democrats Push Back

Democrats are critical of policies pushed by Republicans, claiming that many of those GOP measures have threatened the lives of Floridians.

Statue Of Florida's Mary McLeod Bethune Heading To The Nation's Capitol, Replacing Confederate Image

A statue of prominent Florida educator and civil rights advocate Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is on its way to the U.S. Capitol.

Boys Are Way Behind Girls When It Comes To Reading -- Why Is This Happening, And How Can It Be Fixed?

Florida boys do not read as well as girls. That's what all sorts of data show, and several factors are likely involved, the report states.

CDC Data: Rising COVID Cases In Florida Top Almost Every State, Even As Vaccinations Continue

While states such as Missouri have made news over a surge of COVID-19 cases, Florida, too, is seeing a spike in cases, according to the CDC.

City Of Key West Plans To Resist State Interference In Local Votes To Limit Cruise Ships

This follows the enactment of a state law striking down Key West's voter-approved limits on cruise ships.

Many Fla., Schools Already Ditched Mask Policies As CDC Updates COVID Guidance; But Is It The Right Decision?

Fully COVID-19 vaccinated teachers, students, and staff would not need to wear masks this fall, the federal CDC said.

Proud Boys, Other Groups, Rally At Florida's Old Capitol To Demand Release Of “Patriots” From Jan. 6 Insurrection

“The ‘Proud Boys’ actions belie their disavowals of bigotry," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Death Toll In Surfside Condo Collapse Reaches 60; DeSantis Directs Suspension Of Property Taxes

It is following the transition from a search and rescue mission for victims of the Surfside condo collapse to a recovery effort.