Statewide News

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 gator harvest season. PHOTO/FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 gator harvest season. PHOTO/FWC

FWC approves new hunting rules, alligator harvest

Submitted By My Florida Fwc
Sunday, February 25, 2024
At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes related to the 2024-25 hunting seasons, including many dealing with FWC-managed areas, and approved rule changes to establish a special-use alligator harvest opportunity.Rule change proposals...
Opponents described the bill as “government overreach” and said parents should make decisions about whether children use social media.

Opponents described the bill as “government overreach” and said parents should make decisions about whether children use social media.

Senate passes social media curbs

Jim Saunders
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Amid a debate about the role of government and parental rights, the Florida Senate on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to keep children under age 16 off social-media platforms.The Senate voted 23-14 to approve the bill (HB 1), which includes preventing children under 16 from creating accounts on...
The package would be about half the amount of the $1.3 billion in tax breaks provided during the current fiscal year

The package would be about half the amount of the $1.3 billion in tax breaks provided during the current fiscal year

State House pitches $647.3M tax package

Jim Turner
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA — With legislative leaders saying they expect a tighter budget in the coming year, the House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday will roll out a package of tax cuts that, if left unchanged, would total $647.3 million.
Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million. FILE PHOTO

Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million. FILE PHOTO

Florida Jobless Rate at 3%

Jim Turner
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Florida saw its unemployment rate continue to tick up as 2023 ended.The state Commerce Department on Friday released a report that said Florida had a 3 percent jobless rate in December, with an estimated 334,000 Floridians out of work from a labor force of 11.194 million.The rate was up from 2.9...
a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.

a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.

Judge dismisses Disney lawsuit against DeSantis

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
News Service of Florida — In a win for Governor Ron DeSantis, a federal judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the state unconstitutionally retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts because of the company’s opposition to a controversial education law.U.S. District Judge Allen...
A federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications. FILE PHOTO

A federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications. FILE PHOTO

Appeals court weighs Florida election law

Dara Kam
Friday, January 26, 2024
News Service of Florida — In part of a series of legal battles about Florida election-law changes, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court on Thursday heard arguments in a challenge to a 2023 law that imposed restrictions on groups that collect voter-registration applications.
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.
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