Perez Poised to Become Next Speaker

Perez Poised to Become Next Speaker

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — The son of Cuban immigrants, state Rep. Daniel Perez, R-Miami, was formally selected Monday to become the next speaker of the Florida House as he offered a message of limited — and more effective — government. “Members, we are in danger of becoming a conveyor […]

Report Details Voucher Growth

Report Details Voucher Growth

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Nearly 123,000 new students have received private-school vouchers after state lawmakers this year passed a major expansion of voucher programs, while a group that administers the programs says they will not bring an “exodus” from public schools as critics have predicted. As of Sept. 8, […]

Education Law Appeal Put on Hold

Education Law Appeal Put on Hold

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — 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. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week issued a […]

Long Recovery Starts for Rural County

Long Recovery Starts for Rural County

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida PERRY — Several hours after Hurricane Idalia hit, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday went to rural Taylor County, where debris, downed trees and some power lines littered the roads. The Category 3 storm made landfall in Taylor County’s Keaton Beach area, and county Sheriff Wayne Padgett said […]

Mucarsel-Powell Launches Challenge to Scott

Mucarsel-Powell Launches Challenge to Scott

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant born in Ecuador who served one term in Congress, entered the race Tuesday to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in 2024. The announcement made Mucarsel-Powell the top name in a Democratic field that includes former U.S. Rep. […]

Court to Hear ‘Stop WOKE’ Business Fight

Court to Hear ‘Stop WOKE’ Business Fight

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — A federal appeals court this week will hear arguments in a fight about a 2022 Florida law that placed restrictions on how race-related issues can be addressed in workplace training — part of what Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.” Attorneys for the […]

Judge Refuses to Block Chinese Land Ownership Law

Judge Refuses to Block Chinese Land Ownership Law

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge Thursday refused to block a new Florida law that restricts people from China from owning property in the state, saying plaintiffs are unlikely to be able to show the measure was motivated by discrimination or lacks a “rational basis.” U.S. District Judge […]

Dispute Erupts Over AP Psychology Course

Dispute Erupts Over AP Psychology Course

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s restrictions on instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity have “effectively banned” an Advanced Placement psychology course throughout the state, according to the organization that develops the college-level courses offered to high-school students. The College Board, which develops the courses, said in a press […]

FSU Mulls Leaving ACC

FSU Mulls Leaving ACC

By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida State University’s Board of Trustees is considering a departure from the Atlantic Coast Conference, as President Richard McCullough said Wednesday the school is facing an “existential crisis” over the way the conference distributes revenue. Athletic conferences’ revenue distribution among schools relies heavily on media […]