Florida had a wetter winter than last year, but state officials are advising people to prepare for drier conditions that will increase the chances of wildfires. The Division of Emergency Management lists the current threat of wildfires across the state as “low,” but Agriculture Commissioner…
Read More Florida Ag Commissioner Urges Wildfire PreparationsAuthor: Jim Saunders - News Service Of Florida
Tampa Bay Senate Districts Challenged
More than two years after lawmakers redrew the state’s legislative maps, a group of Tampa Bay-area residents Wednesday challenged the constitutionality of two Senate districts that they say “dilute” the power of Black voters. Attorneys for five residents of Tampa and St. Petersburg filed a…
Read More Tampa Bay Senate Districts ChallengedAppeal Rejected In Florida Homecoming Queen Case
In a case involving a homecoming queen election at an Escambia County high school, an appeals court Wednesday rejected arguments by a former elementary school assistant principal who was accused of improperly accessing student records. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal…
Read More Appeal Rejected In Florida Homecoming Queen CaseQuestions Raised In Florida Immigration Fight Against Biden Admin
A federal appeals court is looking at whether Florida could legally challenge Biden administration immigration policies, after a district judge sided with the state in a fight spearheaded by Attorney General Ashley Moody and Gov. Ron DeSantis. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this…
Read More Questions Raised In Florida Immigration Fight Against Biden AdminFlorida, Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, And Oklahoma Challenge Debt Breaks
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Republican attorneys general from four other states filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block a Biden administration program that would provide breaks on student-loan debt. The lawsuit, filed in Missouri, targets a program, known as the Saving on…
Read More Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, And Oklahoma Challenge Debt BreaksExecutive Privilege Arguments Set In Florida Public Records Case That Shields DeSantis Admin
A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal next month will hear arguments in a potentially far-reaching case about whether “executive privilege” shields Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration from releasing records. On Tuesday, the court issued an order to schedule arguments for May 7. The…
Read More Executive Privilege Arguments Set In Florida Public Records Case That Shields DeSantis AdminLawsuit In Florida Seeks Revised Abortion ‘Statement’
After two Florida Supreme Court rulings last week, backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure abortion rights have filed a lawsuit over a “financial impact statement” that would be presented to voters. Such financial impact statements appear with ballot initiatives to provide…
Read More Lawsuit In Florida Seeks Revised Abortion ‘Statement’Florida Gov. DeSantis Gets 5 Criminal Justice Bills
The State Legislature on Monday formally sent five bills focused on criminal justice issues to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bills were approved during the legislative session that ended March 8. They include a measure (HB 549) that, in part, would seek to crack down on…
Read More Florida Gov. DeSantis Gets 5 Criminal Justice BillsFederal Appeals Court Approves Delay In Disney’s Battle Against Florida Gov. DeSantis
A federal appeals court Monday approved a request from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for a delay in a legal battle against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney on Friday asked for a 60-day extension in submitting an opening brief…
Read More Federal Appeals Court Approves Delay In Disney’s Battle Against Florida Gov. DeSantisDuke Energy Florida Electric Bills Could Dip In June
Duke Energy Florida on Monday joined Tampa Electric Co. in seeking approval to reduce customer bills in June because of lower-than-expected costs of natural gas. Duke filed a proposal at the state Public Service Commission to pass along a projected $233.5 million in fuel savings…
Read More Duke Energy Florida Electric Bills Could Dip In June