By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — U.S. Space Command headquarters going to Alabama is the latest evidence of Florida’s self-inflicted wounds from cutting back on business incentives, members of the Florida Economic Development Council argued Thursday. The council maintains that Florida put itself at a competitive disadvantage in attracting high-skilled and […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Republican legislative leaders are lauding a sweeping school-choice measure filed Thursday, while Senate Democrats have vowed to “fight like hell” against the proposal. The legislation, filed by Republican Sen. Manny Diaz of Hialeah, would expand eligibility for school-voucher programs, consolidate existing school-choice programs and allow […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Citing health issues, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears said he will step down from his post this month. Beshears, a former state representative from North Florida who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in December 2018, said in a letter […]
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Federal prosecutors are accusing a Tallahassee man of plotting to “violently confront protesters” at the Florida Capitol on Sunday, as law-enforcement agencies brace for demonstrations in advance of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Lawrence Keefe on […]
The News Service of Florida Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried recently called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to mobilize the National Guard to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines. In a letter to DeSantis, Fried said distribution has been characterized in media reports as “very chaotic” and that there is a lack of “clear direction” for health-care professionals […]
The News Service of Florida As Florida continues trying to claw itself out of financial problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, November general-revenue collections exceeded expectations and slightly topped collections in pre-pandemic November 2019, according to a report released Wednesday. Net general revenue last month totaled $2.698 billion, up 2.1 percent from $2.642.2 billion in […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Cities, counties and groups from Florida and other parts of the country are trying to help sway a federal appeals court to reconsider a potentially far-reaching decision that blocked bans on the controversial practice known as “conversion therapy.” The local governments and groups have filed […]
By Jim Saunders, Dara Kam The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A fired Florida Department of Health data analyst who contends Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has manipulated COVID-19 statistics filed a lawsuit Sunday alleging state law-enforcement agents violated her rights when they searched her home and hauled away computer equipment. Attorneys for Rebekah Jones, […]
Florida lawmakers will consider legislation to protect state universities and research institutions from interference by China, state House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said Tuesday. In a tweet, Sprowls said the legislation will come as part of efforts by the House Select Committee on the Integrity of Research Institutions, which was set up by former […]
By The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday tapped Corey Simon to lead Volunteer Florida. Simon will succeed a former teammate from Florida State University’s 1999 national championship football team as CEO of the agency, which currently oversees more than $43 million in federal and state funding to support efforts to expand […]