Florida this week began accepting immigrant detainees at a repurposed prison in Baker County as part of the state’s support of President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation efforts, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. The use of Baker Correctional Institution, which the state mothballed as a prison four years ago because of staffing shortages, coincided with a […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — When Florida lawmakers in December 2022 overhauled property-insurance laws, they shielded insurers from having to pay policyholders’ attorney fees after claims disputes — a top priority of the industry. But a state appeals court Thursday said the change only went so far. A three-judge panel […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Republican leaders from 22 other states are trying to help Florida convince a federal appeals court to put on hold a judge’s ruling that required winding down operations at an Everglades immigrant-detention center challenged by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe. Attorneys general from the […]
Average gasoline prices in Florida dropped 15 cents a gallon over the past week, while demand is expected to increase for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for the AAA auto club, said there’s no guarantee the price decline will hold through the holiday. “For almost a year, Florida gas prices have […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A divided appeals court Wednesday revived a lawsuit that alleges a South Florida city’s zoning restrictions on where a gun shop could operate violated a state law that prevents local regulation of firearms. A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal, in a […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Legislative leaders, a state Supreme Court justice and a former governor were among a host of heavyweights who paid homage Tuesday to “the epitome of a servant leader,” former Florida State University President and former House Speaker John Thrasher. Several hundred people gathered at Ruby […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Siding with publishers and authors, a federal judge Wednesday ruled that a key part of a 2023 Florida law that has led to books being removed from school library shelves is “overbroad and unconstitutional.” U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza issued a 50-page decision in a […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appointed Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and retired Army Green Beret, to the long-vacant position of lieutenant governor amid speculation that Collins could run for governor in 2026. DeSantis said he selected Collins, who served 23 years in the […]
The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. added more than 600 policies last week as it continues to slowly grow. Citizens had 783,344 policies on Friday, up from 782,728 policies a week earlier and 781,467 policies two weeks earlier, according to data posted on its website. The policy count has gradually increased in recent weeks amid […]
By The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia have signaled they will send auditors to Jacksonville on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 as part of their “DOGE” scrutiny of local spending. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan on Thursday released a request from the state, which was dated […]