Statewide News

In the latest round of battling between federal and DeSantis administration officials about COVID-19 issues, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo advised people under age 65 not to receive the newly-approved COVID-19 booster vaccines. FILE PHOTO

In the latest round of battling between federal and DeSantis administration officials about COVID-19 issues, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo advised people under age 65 not to receive the newly-approved COVID-19 booster vaccines. FILE PHOTO

The Great Florida ‘Jab Divide’ — state takes aim at new COVID booster

Jim Turner
Monday, September 18, 2023
Don’t expect federal approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines to reshape political views about “jabs,” as Gov. Ron DeSantis likes to call them.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola in 2021 signed a 30-year gambling deal that included giving the tribe control of sports betting. The deal was soon appealed. PHOTO/MOHEGAN SUN

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola in 2021 signed a 30-year gambling deal that included giving the tribe control of sports betting. The deal was soon appealed. PHOTO/MOHEGAN SUN

Seminoles get win in sports betting case — will legal betting be far behind?

Dara Kam
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Dealing another victory to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, a federal appeals court has denied a request from pari-mutuel owners for a rehearing after a ruling that upheld a multibillion-dollar deal giving the tribe control over sports betting throughout the state. A three-judge panel of the U.S.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay in a legal battle about a controversial Florida education law. 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay in a legal battle about a controversial Florida education law. 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Education law appeal put on hold

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
News Service of Florida A federal appeals court has put on hold a battle about a 2022 Florida law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, after attorneys said they were in settlement talks.
A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.

A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.

Courts grapple with death penalty change

Dara Kam
Friday, September 8, 2023
News Service of Florida A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.
Monique Worrell's supporters hold signs at her press conference announcing her removal from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 9. FACEBOOK

Monique Worrell's supporters hold signs at her press conference announcing her removal from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 9. FACEBOOK

Worrell fights ouster at Florida Supreme Court

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
News Service of Florida Suspended Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell on Wednesday asked the Florida Supreme Court to overturn Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision last month to oust her, saying he had no legal basis for the move. “To the extent the governor disagrees with how Ms.
Hurricane Idalia destroyed the sign at Pouncey's Restaurant in Perry. MIKE EXLINE/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Hurricane Idalia destroyed the sign at Pouncey's Restaurant in Perry. MIKE EXLINE/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

State seeks wider Idalia disaster declaration

Jim Turner
Friday, September 1, 2023
News Service of Florida Search-and-rescue efforts have narrowed to three counties hit hard by the Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, while Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the federal government to expand a disaster declaration.
After the passage of Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, the cleanup has begun in Big Bend places like Taylor County. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

After the passage of Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, the cleanup has begun in Big Bend places like Taylor County. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

Hurricane survivor describes storm’s fury near landfall: ‘Don’t ever want to go through that again’

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
By JACK LEMNUS Fresh Take Florida   PERRY, Fla. – Ron Elrod and his family of four, plus two cats and a dog named Buddy, huddled inside a friend’s garage as the full fury of Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday just a few miles away. The walls bulged as the winds outside roared.
Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.  Polk is among the counties.

Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.  Polk is among the counties.

Ahead of expected tropical system, Governor issues state of emergency for 33 counties -- see where

News Staff
Saturday, August 26, 2023
With what the National Hurricane Center currently calls Invest 93L expected to intensify into at least a tropical storm and potentially Hurricane Idalia, Gov. Ron DeSantis Saturday declared a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation. Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.
Nikki Fried discussed efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both legislative chamber and has controlled the Governor’s mansion since 1999.

Nikki Fried discussed efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both legislative chamber and has controlled the Governor’s mansion since 1999.

Nikki Fried promotes efforts to pump up Florida Democrats

Ken Jackson
Friday, August 25, 2023
Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, joined the “Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast, part of the News Service of Florida and City & State Florida, to discuss efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both...
Florida saw its first unemployment-rate uptick of 2023 in July.

Florida saw its first unemployment-rate uptick of 2023 in July.

Florida jobless rate inches up to 2.7%

Jim Turner
Thursday, August 24, 2023
News Service of Florida Florida posted its first unemployment-rate uptick of the year in July. The state Department of Commerce on Friday said the unemployment rate in July was 2.7 percent, up from a 2.6 percent rate that had remained the same since January.
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