By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Florida education leaders want parents to be reminded annually that they can face consequences if their children report false threats of violence. The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a rule change that will require school districts to make training available to parents and […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, began a two-year term as Florida Senate president Tuesday, saying he will hold the insurance industry accountable and try to lead a “rural renaissance.” Albritton, a citrus grower who succeeded Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo as president, pointed to damage caused by […]
By Bill Cotterell, The News Service of Florida One reason Alcoholics Anonymous is successful is that it won’t permit comforting little euphemisms in group sessions. If you say, “I was really smashed” or “I was feeling no pain,” someone in the circle will politely interrupt with, “The word is ‘drunk.’ You were drunk.” To cure […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office Friday filed a 25-page […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A controversial 2021 state law making it harder for people to vote by mail could complicate holding special elections to fill two Florida congressional seats after President-elect Donald Trump tapped Republicans Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz to serve in his administration. The 2021 law included […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican who in recent years has become a national political lightning rod, was picked Wednesday by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general. Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice came […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis wasn’t on the ballot last week, but he won big. Democrats laughed at the governor early this year when his presidential campaign sank without a ripple in Iowa. His critics gleefully predicted that DeSantis had scuttled his once-promising political career by badly over-reaching in his challenge to Donald Trump for the Republican […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida voters left no doubt on Election Day that Republicans are in control of the political levers across the Sunshine State, with GOP leaders winning on issues and maintaining strongholds in the Legislature. Amid Tuesday’s ruby-red afterglow, Republican officials quickly started planning ahead. Former President […]
By Jim Turner & Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez on Thursday rolled out changes to House committees, while saying lawmakers have “spent taxpayer funds excessively and indiscriminately in the last few years.” Perez, R-Miami, detailed a revised committee structure while also announcing a leadership team for […]
By Dara Kam and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — In a show of Republican strength in Florida, incumbent Corey Simon on Tuesday handily defeated Democratic challenger Daryl Parks in what was considered the only competitive state Senate race and the GOP maintained supermajorities in both legislative chambers. Simon’s double-digit victory in […]