Statewide News

Meta, the parent company of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and other tech industry groups have publicly criticized the bill and argued that it would violate First Amendment rights. PHOTO/JODY GILLESPIE

Meta, the parent company of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and other tech industry groups have publicly criticized the bill and argued that it would violate First Amendment rights. PHOTO/JODY GILLESPIE

Senate poised to take up social media bill

Jim Saunders
Thursday, January 25, 2024
News Service of Florida — A day after the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo on Thursday backed a proposal that seeks to prevent children under age 16 from having social-media accounts and said the Senate will start moving forward with it.
The plan, which is in two bills, includes trying to increase the number of doctors in the state, shifting patients away from emergency rooms, creating new facilities for women to have babies and boosting health-innovation efforts.

The plan, which is in two bills, includes trying to increase the number of doctors in the state, shifting patients away from emergency rooms, creating new facilities for women to have babies and boosting health-innovation efforts.

Senate passes 'comprehensive' health plan

Jim Saunders
Thursday, January 18, 2024
News Service of Florida -- The Florida Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a wide-ranging plan that President Kathleen Passidomo and other supporters tout as a strategy to expand health-care access as the state’s population continues to grow.
The bill, aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, is now positioned to go to the full House, where it is almost certain to pass.

The bill, aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, is now positioned to go to the full House, where it is almost certain to pass.

Florida House ready to pass social media restrictions for teens

Jim Saunders
Thursday, January 18, 2024
The Florida House is poised to pass a bill aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, while some in the tech industry argue the measure could be unconstitutional and create data-privacy concerns.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown here at an Osceola County appearance in 2021, finished second in Monday's Iowa Republican presidential caucuses, well back of Donald Trump but ahead of South Carolina's Nikki Haley. FILE PHOTO

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown here at an Osceola County appearance in 2021, finished second in Monday's Iowa Republican presidential caucuses, well back of Donald Trump but ahead of South Carolina's Nikki Haley. FILE PHOTO

Trump trounces DeSantis, Haley in Iowa

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
News Service of Florida — Former President Donald Trump dominated the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses Monday, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis holding off former South Carolina Govenor Nikki Haley for second place.
Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, proposed lowering a minimum gun-buying age from 21 to 18. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, proposed lowering a minimum gun-buying age from 21 to 18. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

State proposal would lower gun-buying age; new state permit numbers

Jim Saunders
Saturday, January 13, 2024
News Service of Florida -- A House Republican has renewed an attempt to lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 for people to buy rifles and other long guns in Florida, potentially reversing part of a law that passed in the aftermath of the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High...
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State Address Tuesday, taking an us-verses-the-country stance. PHOTO/THE FLORIDA CHANNEL

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State Address Tuesday, taking an us-verses-the-country stance. PHOTO/THE FLORIDA CHANNEL

DeSantis: make Florida “envy of the nation”

Ken Jackson
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a pause from his whirlwind tour of Iowa ahead of next week’s presidential caucuses Tuesday to return to his home state and deliver the annual State of the State Address.
An initiative to keep Florida free from abortion restrictions has garnered enough signed petitions to appear on the state's 2024 election ballot.PHOTO/MSI REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES

An initiative to keep Florida free from abortion restrictions has garnered enough signed petitions to appear on the state's 2024 election ballot.PHOTO/MSI REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES

Florida abortion amendment meets signature requirements

Jim Saunders
Friday, January 5, 2024
News Service of Florida -- Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ensuring abortion rights in Florida have submitted enough valid petition signatures to get on the November ballot, a key step in what could become the state’s biggest political battle this year.
Florida's "Move Over Law" expands on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 to include providing space when disabled vehicles are stopped along roads with people visible or such things as warning lights on. GRAPHIC/FLHSMV

Florida's "Move Over Law" expands on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 to include providing space when disabled vehicles are stopped along roads with people visible or such things as warning lights on. GRAPHIC/FLHSMV

New Year, New Laws: see what goes into effect (and ends) in 2024

Jim Turner
Sunday, December 31, 2023
News Service of Florida: Several changes in state laws take hold as 2024 begins, from an expansion of the state’s “move over” traffic law to stricter rules involving investments in Iran.
The tax holiday will start Monday and is similar to the back-to-school holidays that Florida has long offered during the summer. FILE GRAPHIC

The tax holiday will start Monday and is similar to the back-to-school holidays that Florida has long offered during the summer. FILE GRAPHIC

Second school supply sales tax 'holiday’ starts Monday through Jan. 14

Jim Turner
Saturday, December 30, 2023
News Service of Florida: A top retail-industry official is optimistic businesses will get a boost when Florida, for the first time, offers a back-to-school tax “holiday” as students return from their winter break.
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