Statewide News

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay in a legal battle about a controversial Florida education law. 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay in a legal battle about a controversial Florida education law. 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Education law appeal put on hold

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
News Service of Florida A federal appeals court has put on hold a battle about a 2022 Florida law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, after attorneys said they were in settlement talks.
A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.

A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.

Courts grapple with death penalty change

Dara Kam
Friday, September 8, 2023
News Service of Florida A new state law lowering the number of jurors required to recommend death sentences has spurred a rash of litigation, triggered conflicting judicial rulings and infused an additional level of uncertainty in capital cases.
Monique Worrell's supporters hold signs at her press conference announcing her removal from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 9. FACEBOOK

Monique Worrell's supporters hold signs at her press conference announcing her removal from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 9. FACEBOOK

Worrell fights ouster at Florida Supreme Court

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
News Service of Florida Suspended Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell on Wednesday asked the Florida Supreme Court to overturn Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision last month to oust her, saying he had no legal basis for the move. “To the extent the governor disagrees with how Ms.
Hurricane Idalia destroyed the sign at Pouncey's Restaurant in Perry. MIKE EXLINE/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Hurricane Idalia destroyed the sign at Pouncey's Restaurant in Perry. MIKE EXLINE/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

State seeks wider Idalia disaster declaration

Jim Turner
Friday, September 1, 2023
News Service of Florida Search-and-rescue efforts have narrowed to three counties hit hard by the Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, while Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the federal government to expand a disaster declaration.
After the passage of Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, the cleanup has begun in Big Bend places like Taylor County. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

After the passage of Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, the cleanup has begun in Big Bend places like Taylor County. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

Hurricane survivor describes storm’s fury near landfall: ‘Don’t ever want to go through that again’

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
By JACK LEMNUS Fresh Take Florida   PERRY, Fla. – Ron Elrod and his family of four, plus two cats and a dog named Buddy, huddled inside a friend’s garage as the full fury of Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday just a few miles away. The walls bulged as the winds outside roared.
Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.  Polk is among the counties.

Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.  Polk is among the counties.

Ahead of expected tropical system, Governor issues state of emergency for 33 counties -- see where

News Staff
Saturday, August 26, 2023
With what the National Hurricane Center currently calls Invest 93L expected to intensify into at least a tropical storm and potentially Hurricane Idalia, Gov. Ron DeSantis Saturday declared a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation. Those counties do not include Osceola -- but close.
Nikki Fried discussed efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both legislative chamber and has controlled the Governor’s mansion since 1999.

Nikki Fried discussed efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both legislative chamber and has controlled the Governor’s mansion since 1999.

Nikki Fried promotes efforts to pump up Florida Democrats

Ken Jackson
Friday, August 25, 2023
Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, joined the “Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast, part of the News Service of Florida and City & State Florida, to discuss efforts to boost enthusiasm among Florida Democrats — in a state where the Republican Party holds a super-majority in both...
Florida saw its first unemployment-rate uptick of 2023 in July.

Florida saw its first unemployment-rate uptick of 2023 in July.

Florida jobless rate inches up to 2.7%

Jim Turner
Thursday, August 24, 2023
News Service of Florida Florida posted its first unemployment-rate uptick of the year in July. The state Department of Commerce on Friday said the unemployment rate in July was 2.7 percent, up from a 2.6 percent rate that had remained the same since January.
Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency, pointed to increased competition from other states and countries that shut down longer than Florida during the pandemic.

Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency, pointed to increased competition from other states and countries that shut down longer than Florida during the pandemic.

Tourism numbers dip in second quarter

Jim Turner
Friday, August 18, 2023
News Service of Florida he number of people traveling to Florida during the second quarter of 2023 decreased compared to a year earlier, according to estimates released Wednesday by the state’s tourism-marketing agency. Florida drew an estimated 33.
In the second part of a podcast with the News Service of Florida, Florida Agriculture Commission Wilton Simpson talked about how the change in the state’s laws about carrying a firearm according to the 2nd Amendment, not prior permitting laws, changes how his office handles gun ownership.

In the second part of a podcast with the News Service of Florida, Florida Agriculture Commission Wilton Simpson talked about how the change in the state’s laws about carrying a firearm according to the 2nd Amendment, not prior permitting laws, changes how his office handles gun ownership.

Ag Commish Simpson: those who want to carry a gun must wait 3 days

Ken Jackson
Friday, August 18, 2023
In the second part of a podcast with News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam, Florida Agriculture Commission Wilton Simpson talked about how the change in the state’s laws about carrying a firearm according to the 2nd Amendment, not prior permitting laws, changes how his office handles gun  ownership.
Subscribe to