By The News Service of Florida Gasoline prices in Florida and nationally continued to decline last week, with Florida motorists paying an average of $3.56 a gallon Monday for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to the AAA auto club. That was down from $3.64 a week earlier and down from a 2023 peak of […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session Friday. During the 60-day session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed numerous high-profile bills that lined up with priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues: — ABORTION: After passing a 15-week abortion limit […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After five days of rocky deliberations, jurors on Thursday acquitted former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum on charges of lying to federal investigators but were unable to reach a verdict on conspiracy and fraud charges. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor declared a mistrial on charges […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Turmoil continued Wednesday in the public-corruption trial of former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum amid revelations that a juror posted information about the case on social media after deliberations began. Information about the social-media posts surfaced a day after jurors told U.S. District Judge Allen […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Opening the possibility of a mistrial, jurors in the public-corruption trial of former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said Tuesday they reached a verdict on one count of an indictment but were doubtful they could reach consensus on at least one other count. Gillum, who […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A jury on Monday continued to deliberate on public-corruption allegations against former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, asking a federal judge questions as they pondered the fate of the onetime rising political star. Gillum, who also served as Tallahassee mayor, faces charges of lying to […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Mostly silent on the issue for the past year, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit arguing its First Amendment rights were violated and business harmed by a “relentless campaign” of retribution orchestrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials. The […]
BY Jim Turner & Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate negotiators expressed optimism Monday as they began trading budget proposals, despite gaps in spending over issues such as public schools, land preservation and tourism marketing. “I think we’re in great shape. We’ve been working really well with our House […]
A House plan to eliminate the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and relocate tourism-marketing efforts also would lead to a change in the name of the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The House Appropriations Committee on Friday voted 19-7 to approve a bill (HB 5) that would do away with Enterprise Florida and change the name […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Moving quickly on what supporters call the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday signed a bill that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. DeSantis’ office announced the signing about 11 p.m., several hours after the House gave final approval to the […]