Statewide News

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaks in 2021 after being named to his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (File Photo/Rayn Dailey, News Service of Florida)

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaks in 2021 after being named to his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (File Photo/Rayn Dailey, News Service of Florida)

State leaders seek repeal of four required vaccines for schools

Ana Goñi-lessan
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
News Service of Florida — The state of Florida wants to remove four immunizations from entry requirements for PreK-12 public and private schools.The Florida Department of Health is proposing a rule to remove Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal...
Charlie Kirk, the ultra-conservative political activist and media personality credited by the Donald Trump administration for bringing in young voters and political enthusiasts to the Republican Party, was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Numerous educators in the state, including those in Osceola County, were under investigation for posts about Kirk’s death on social media and were threatened with disciplinary actions by education leaders. (File Photo)

Charlie Kirk, the ultra-conservative political activist and media personality credited by the Donald Trump administration for bringing in young voters and political enthusiasts to the Republican Party, was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Numerous educators in the state, including those in Osceola County, were under investigation for posts about Kirk’s death on social media and were threatened with disciplinary actions by education leaders. (File Photo)

Florida court says teacher who made Kirk comments should be reinstated

Ana Goñi-lessan
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
News Service of Florida — A Lee County public school teacher’s suspension for a comment about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk should be ended and she should receive back pay, an administrative court judge has recommended.Division of Administrative Hearings Judge Andrew Manko found that a...
Gubernatorial Republican candidate Bryan Donalds spoke to approximately 100 supporters Friday in Lakeland urging them to help get out the vote in Tuesday's primary. (Photo/Robert Pincus)

Gubernatorial Republican candidate Bryan Donalds spoke to approximately 100 supporters Friday in Lakeland urging them to help get out the vote in Tuesday's primary. (Photo/Robert Pincus)

Donalds heralds his Florida affordability plan at Lakeland stop

Robert Pincus
Monday, August 17, 2026
Gubernatorial Republican candidate Byron Donalds spoke to approximately 100 supporters Friday in Lakeland urging them to help get out the vote in Tuesday's primary.
Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday released a redraft of the ballot summary of Amendment 3, the large property tax cut measure pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday released a redraft of the ballot summary of Amendment 3, the large property tax cut measure pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

State leadership rewrites property tax cut ballot summary

Gray Rohrer
Friday, August 14, 2026
News Service of Florida -- Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday released a re-draft of the ballot summary of Amendment 3, the large property tax cut measure pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.A Leon County judge last week ordered the ballot summary and title of the proposal to be rewritten, as the...
The state’s leading pediatric medical association, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said they’re not on board with the edict from the White House.

The state’s leading pediatric medical association, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said they’re not on board with the edict from the White House.

Florida pediatricians rebuke Trump vaccine order

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
By Ana Goñi-Lessan —Pediatricians in Florida are pushing back on President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for changes to the childhood vaccination schedule.And the state’s leading pediatric medical association, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said they’re not on...
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has worked with the White House on immigration issues. (News Service of Florida File Photo)

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has worked with the White House on immigration issues. (News Service of Florida File Photo)

Sheriffs, Police, Firefighters groups sound alarm over property tax measure

News Service Of Florida
Friday, August 7, 2026
By Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida — Public safety groups are warning voters about the property tax cut amendment that will appear on ballots this November.This week the Florida Sheriffs Association released a statement saying they were “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, which if...
A judge ruled the current summary uses statements that are a “political rhetoric, not neutral, not explanation" and omits how the measure could change the nature of the “home rule” provisions of the state constitution. (File Photo)

A judge ruled the current summary uses statements that are a “political rhetoric, not neutral, not explanation" and omits how the measure could change the nature of the “home rule” provisions of the state constitution. (File Photo)

Tallahassee judge orders rewrite of poperty tax ballot measure

Gray Rohrer
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
News Service of Florida — The title and summary of a property tax cut proposal to be placed on the November ballot contain political rhetoric and are misleading, and must be redrafted, a Leon Circuit Court judge ruled late Monday.“Voters are entitled to a fair, clear, accurate and non-misleading...
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said treatment of childhood disorders should be "guided by a thorough understanding of each child’s unique circumstances and needs." (File Photo)

Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said treatment of childhood disorders should be "guided by a thorough understanding of each child’s unique circumstances and needs." (File Photo)

New Florida rules advise against drugs for depression, anxiety for kids

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
By Ana Goñi-Lessan News Service of FloridaFlorida’s newest guidelines warn against prescribing psychotropic medications for children, echoing the Make America Healthy Again movement’s push to impose changes on childhood health care.On Friday the Florida Department of Health issued guidance for...
The Florida Board of Education unanimously approved Henry Mack as the state’s new education commissioner on Wednesday. (Photo/DOE)

The Florida Board of Education unanimously approved Henry Mack as the state’s new education commissioner on Wednesday. (Photo/DOE)

Henry Mack named Florida Education Commissioner

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
By Ana Goñi-LessanNews Service of FloridaThe Florida Board of Education unanimously approved Henry Mack as the state’s new education commissioner on Wednesday.Mack, a former senior chancellor at the Department of Education and most recently the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, was recommended for...
Retailers are marketing to parents for the Back to School Tax Holiday.

Retailers are marketing to parents for the Back to School Tax Holiday.

REMINDER — Back-To-School 'Tax Holiday’ begins Monday

Jim Turner
Sunday, July 19, 2026
News Service of Florida — Unlike in prior years, Best Buy has set up in advance a webpage linking back-to-school deals tied to Florida’s month-long sales tax “holiday” that begins Monday.“Cancel the deal hunt.
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