Statewide News

While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

FWC: Florida bear hunt planned for December

Jim Turner
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
News Service of Florida — Amid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.Before a crowd that spread into at least four extra rooms at the College of Central...
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said the House continues to make offers to the Senate about a tax package and a budget that must be completed by the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said the House continues to make offers to the Senate about a tax package and a budget that must be completed by the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Legislature: state budget talks not ‘any closer’

Jim Turner
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
News Service of Florida — As budget talks remain stalled, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez said Tuesday the House has offered possibilities including a “lean, critical-needs budget with minimal spending and no tax cuts.”But in a quest to lower state spending, the Miami Republican described a...
House Speaker Daniel Perez accused the Senate of backing out of a tax-cut proposal. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

House Speaker Daniel Perez accused the Senate of backing out of a tax-cut proposal. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

Tax cuts derail state budget talks

Jim Turner
Friday, May 9, 2025
News Service of Florida: Legislative budget talks blew up Friday, as the House, the Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis tangle over tax cuts.House Speaker Daniel Perez accused Senate President Ben Albritton of backing out of a “historic tax proposal” that the leaders outlined last week as they extended...
A federal judge has told lawyers in a landmark social media case it would be a “hard row to hoe” for state officials to justify a complete ban on social media for young teenagers, signaling skepticism toward the new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Photo/Florida Politics)

A federal judge has told lawyers in a landmark social media case it would be a “hard row to hoe” for state officials to justify a complete ban on social media for young teenagers, signaling skepticism toward the new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Photo/Florida Politics)

Judge: ‘hard row to hoe’ to justify state’s social media ban for young teens

Lee Ann Anderson
Friday, May 9, 2025
Fresh Take Florida: A federal judge has told lawyers in a landmark social media case it would be a “hard row to hoe” for state officials to justify a complete ban on social media for young teenagers, signaling skepticism toward the new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.U.S. District Judge...
Indicating Gov. DeSantis might be “confused,” House Speaker Daniel Perez said the state can cut the sales-tax rate and ask voters to reduce property taxes in 2026.

Indicating Gov. DeSantis might be “confused,” House Speaker Daniel Perez said the state can cut the sales-tax rate and ask voters to reduce property taxes in 2026.

DeSantis, Perez tangle over state sales tax cut

Jim Turner
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
News Service of Florida — Potentially throwing a wrench into the budget process, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday threatened to veto a plan that would include lowering the state sales-tax rate as he continues to feud with House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami.DeSantis has proposed providing one-time,...
Agencies like Toho Water Authority add fluoride to the water supply. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will sign bills to prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies. (Photo/Toho Water Authority)

Agencies like Toho Water Authority add fluoride to the water supply. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will sign bills to prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies. (Photo/Toho Water Authority)

DeSantis to sign statewide fluoride ban

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will sign bills to prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and prevent aircraft from releasing chemtrails.DeSantis said the fluoride prohibition, which is included in a broader bill (SB 700), is designed to prevent “forced medication.”
Agencies like Toho Water Authority add fluoride to the water supply. A new bill may be on its way to the Governor's desk to prevent that. (Photo/Toho Water Authority)

Agencies like Toho Water Authority add fluoride to the water supply. A new bill may be on its way to the Governor's desk to prevent that. (Photo/Toho Water Authority)

Water fluoride ban bill heading to DeSantis

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
News Service of Florida: The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and take aim at labeling of plant-based products as milk, meat and eggs.The Republican-controlled House voted 88-27 to pass the bill (SB...
During debates, Republican supporters of the bills repeatedly stressed the public nature of charter schools and pointed to the state’s wholesale move in recent years toward school choice. But Democrats argued the bills would harm traditional public schools, where most children continue to attend..

During debates, Republican supporters of the bills repeatedly stressed the public nature of charter schools and pointed to the state’s wholesale move in recent years toward school choice. But Democrats argued the bills would harm traditional public schools, where most children continue to attend..

Florida lawmakers look to aid Charter Schools

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
News Service of Florida: Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is moving forward with a series of proposals that would help charter schools, while Democrats argue the measures would chip away at traditional public schools.At least five bills have passed the House or the Senate that could help...
Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session May 2. (Colin Hackley/File)

Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session May 2. (Colin Hackley/File)

Florida lawmakers heading to overtime

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 24, 2025
TALLAHASSEE -- With the Senate and House unable to reach agreement on tax cuts and spending, lawmakers will not finish negotiations on a new state budget in time to end the legislative session as scheduled next week.Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez,...
Police combed the scene of a shooting at Florida State University that killed two people and injured six others. NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA/TOM URBAN

Police combed the scene of a shooting at Florida State University that killed two people and injured six others. NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA/TOM URBAN

Two killed in ‘Terrible Tragedy’ at FSU

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 17, 2025
By Jim Turner and Mike ExlineTALLAHASSEE --- Two people were killed and six others were injured Thursday after a shooter, the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, opened fire around lunchtime at Florida State University.The shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, also was shot after confronting...
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