By the Numbers: Helene Insurance Claims

By the Numbers: Helene Insurance Claims

Nearly 40,000 insurance claims had been filed in Florida as of Sunday from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall Thursday night in Taylor County and caused widespread damage in the state. The number of claims and estimated insured losses will increase in the coming days and weeks. Here are initial numbers as of Sunday: — $434,696,041: […]

State Fires Back in Abortion Information Dispute

State Fires Back in Abortion Information Dispute

The News Service of Florida Attorneys for the state late Monday urged a Leon County circuit judge to reject a political committee’s request for a temporary injunction to block the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration from disseminating disputed information about a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights. A 26-page document filed in Leon County […]

Florida Jobless Rate Stays at 3.3 Percent

Florida Jobless Rate Stays at 3.3 Percent

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3 percent in August as retirements continue to outpace efforts to grow the labor force. The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday estimated 368,000 Floridians qualified as unemployed in August, up 2,000 from July, while the work force of 11.044 […]

Voter Registration Verification Lawsuit Filed

Voter Registration Verification Lawsuit Filed

By The News Service of Florida A non-profit advocacy group on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s process of verifying voter-registration applications, alleging it violates federal laws. The lawsuit, filed in the federal Middle District of Florida, focuses on the process for verifying voter-registration applicants’ eligibility. Prospective voters are deemed eligible by election […]

Court to Weigh Florida Gun Age Law

Court to Weigh Florida Gun Age Law

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A federal appeals court next month will hear arguments in the National Rifle Association’s constitutional challenge to a Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from purchasing rifles and other long guns. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week scheduled an Oct. […]

Beach Access Fight Goes to Appeals Court

Beach Access Fight Goes to Appeals Court

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Waterfront property owners have gone to a federal appeals court after a judge last month sided with the Pinellas County town of Redington Beach in a dispute about public beach access. A notice of appeal, filed Tuesday, does not detail arguments that the group of […]

School Books Settlement Reached

School Books Settlement Reached

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Authors of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” and parents of students have reached a settlement with the Nassau County school district that will lead to 36 books returning to school libraries after being removed last year, according to court documents filed this week. […]

State Looks at More Nuclear Power

State Looks at More Nuclear Power

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — It would take years, possibly decades. But Florida is looking at the possibility of adding nuclear power. After state lawmakers this year required a study on the feasibility of expanding the use of nuclear energy, Florida Public Service Commission staff members Thursday met with experts […]

Court Rejects Pregame Prayer Lawsuit

Court Rejects Pregame Prayer Lawsuit

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A federal appeals court Tuesday said the Florida High School Athletic Association did not violate First Amendment rights when it blocked a Tampa Christian school from offering a prayer over a stadium loudspeaker before a 2015 high-school football championship game. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. […]

DeSantis Says Park Plans Need Another Look

DeSantis Says Park Plans Need Another Look

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Trying to quell a bipartisan uproar, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that “half-baked” plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks will be revamped. DeSantis said the Department of Environmental Protection will gather more public input before it could move forward with […]