Statewide News

Sunrise over a school. A proposed bill in the Florida Legislature would prevent public middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and public high schools from starting before 8:30 a.m. PHOTO/OCALA-NEWS.COM

Sunrise over a school. A proposed bill in the Florida Legislature would prevent public middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and public high schools from starting before 8:30 a.m. PHOTO/OCALA-NEWS.COM

Lawmakers eye later school starts

Jim Saunders And Ryan Dailey
Thursday, March 16, 2023
It’s a scenario that many families know all too well. Early each morning, parents struggle to rouse sleepy teenagers, get them in the car or to the bus stop, then hope they are prepared for the school day.
Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the annual legislative session Tuesday by touting the state’s accomplishments and vowing to “swing for the fences so that we can ensure Florida remains number one.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the annual legislative session Tuesday by touting the state’s accomplishments and vowing to “swing for the fences so that we can ensure Florida remains number one.”

DeSantis vows to ‘Swing for the Fences’

Jim Saunders And Ryan Dailey
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Drawing a national spotlight as he prepares for a potential White House bid, Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the annual legislative session Tuesday by touting the state’s accomplishments and vowing to “swing for the fences so that we can ensure Florida remains number one.
A former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida has filed legislation that would essentially do away with the state Democratic Party. FILE PHOTO

A former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida has filed legislation that would essentially do away with the state Democratic Party. FILE PHOTO

Canceling the Competition?

Jim Turner
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
News Service of Florida A former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida caused a kerfuffle last week when he filed legislation that would do away with the state Democratic Party.
Senate bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, said the bill is intended to provide state “oversight” of the athletics board.

Senate bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, said the bill is intended to provide state “oversight” of the athletics board.

Lawmakers eye revamping FHSAA

Ryan Dailey
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A proposal that would give Gov. Ron DeSantis power to shape the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Board of Directors and allow schools to offer pregame prayers over stadium public-address systems got backing Monday in the State Senate.
PHOTO/TOM URBAN, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a State of the State address to start the 2022 legislative session.

PHOTO/TOM URBAN, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a State of the State address to start the 2022 legislative session.

10 big issues in 2023 Florida Legislative session

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
News Service of Florida Florida lawmakers will start the annual 60-day legislative session Tuesday. Here are 10 big issues to watch: AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, has made a priority of trying to find ways to make housing more affordable for workers.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown in Osceola County last year at a function at NeoCity Academy, was back in the area Monday to sign a bill at a Reedy Creek fire station. The district will now be called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. FILE PHOTO

Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown in Osceola County last year at a function at NeoCity Academy, was back in the area Monday to sign a bill at a Reedy Creek fire station. The district will now be called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. FILE PHOTO

DeSantis signs Reedy Creek revamp

Jim Turner
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
News Service of Florida About a year after the Walt Disney Co. angered him by opposing a controversial education law, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that shifts control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District from Disney to the governor’s office.
State Democrats argue easing gun restrictions would increase violence, while some gun-rights groups — which want people to be able to openly carry firearms in most public places — call the proposal “too weak.” PHOTO/METRO

State Democrats argue easing gun restrictions would increase violence, while some gun-rights groups — which want people to be able to openly carry firearms in most public places — call the proposal “too weak.” PHOTO/METRO

Legislature tees up ‘constitutional’ carry

Jim Turner
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
News Service of Florida The Florida House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee has backed a proposal that combines allowing people to carry concealed firearms without licenses and efforts to improve school safety, despite Democratic arguments that easing gun restrictions would increase violence.
This logo will be going away. The new bill would give authority to Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint the district’s five-member Board of Supervisors and would change the name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. LOGO/RCID

This logo will be going away. The new bill would give authority to Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint the district’s five-member Board of Supervisors and would change the name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. LOGO/RCID

DeSantis gets Reedy Creek control

Jim Turner
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
News Service of Florida Florida lawmakers have given final approval to changes that would shift control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District from the Walt Disney Co. to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a nearly $114.8 billion budget for next year that includes a variety of tax cuts and more money for such things as teacher pay.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a nearly $114.8 billion budget for next year that includes a variety of tax cuts and more money for such things as teacher pay.

DeSantis pitches $114.8B budget

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
News Service of Florida Dubbing it the “framework for freedom,” Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a nearly $114.8 billion budget for next year that includes a variety of tax cuts and more money for such things as teacher pay.
Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.5 percent in December as businesses continue to struggle to fill positions. METRO

Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.5 percent in December as businesses continue to struggle to fill positions. METRO

Florida jobless rate down to 2.5 percent

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
News Service of Florida Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.5 percent in December as businesses continue to struggle to fill positions. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released a report that showed the December rate down from 2.6 percent in November and from 3.
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