By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Brandishing a law-and-order approach to civil unrest, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida’s incoming Republican House and Senate leaders rolled out a legislative package Monday aimed at cracking down on protesters by creating a host of new crimes, as the GOP tries to keep the battleground […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Averting a possible constitutional showdown, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday appointed Jamie Grosshans, a judge on the 5th District Court of Appeal, to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. DeSantis’ appointment, announced at a 5 p.m. news conference, came hours after he defied a noon […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said in a television interview aired Monday that he is bisexual, as he continues to re-enter the public spotlight after a March incident in which he was found intoxicated in a Miami Beach hotel room. Gillum said on the […]
Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Delivering a victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis, a divided federal appeals court on Friday upheld the constitutionality of a Florida law requiring felons to complete all financial terms of their sentences — including paying fines, fees, costs and restitution — to be eligible to vote. The […]
The News Service of Florida Florida State University is launching a national search to replace President John Thrasher, who advised the school’s Board of Trustees on Friday “the time is right to begin planning for FSU’s future.” In a message also posted on the university’s website, Thrasher, 76, didn’t use the word retirement as he […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Saying the proposal would have driven Floridians “to the hazardous black market,” Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday vetoed a measure that would have banned the sale of nearly all flavored electronic-cigarette products and raised the state’s smoking age from 18 to 21. Attorney General Ashley […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As protests and political battles rage across the country about police officers using force, the Florida Police Chiefs Association has issued a report calling for a series of steps, ranging from largely banning chokeholds and other neck-related restraints to stepping up recruitment of police officers […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Animal crackers and gummy bears are off the table, but Florida medical marijuana operators finally will be allowed to manufacture and sell THC-infused cookies, cakes and candies, after state health officials released a rule outlining edible marijuana products. The emergency rule, posted on the state […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Siding with teachers unions, a Leon County circuit judge Thursday lifted a stay of his earlier ruling that a state order requiring schools to reopen in August is unconstitutional. Judge Charles Dodson on Monday issued a temporary injunction accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With more than 150,000 Florida children already in their desks, the state and teachers unions squared off Friday in a legal battle over Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s mandate that local school officials resume in-person instruction this month amid the coronavirus pandemic. Leon County Circuit Judge […]