By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After a ruling last week allowed Florida to begin enforcing a 2024 law designed to prevent children from having access to certain social-media sites, tech industry groups Wednesday asked a federal appeals court to quickly hear arguments about whether the law violates First Amendment rights. […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services. The Republican-controlled State Affairs Committee voted along party lines to approve the proposals, including a […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Unions representing college faculty members have challenged a state Department of Education plan that would expand requirements for professors to post syllabi and other course material online. The Florida Education Association and the United Faculty of Florida filed the administrative challenge last week, contending that […]
By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix Gov. Ron DeSantis may get a chance to appoint up to 25 additional judges in his final year in office if the Florida Legislature goes along with a new request from the state Supreme Court. DeSantis has repeatedly boasted about his efforts to reshape Florida’s judicial branch, including the state […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A divided federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that Florida can begin enforcing a 2024 law aimed at preventing children from having access to certain social-media platforms, rejecting arguments that the measure violates First Amendment rights. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, […]
Average gasoline prices in Florida jumped 18 cents during the past week, as millions of people prepare to take to the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday period. Florida motorists paid an average of $3.10 a gallon for regular unleaded gas Monday, up from $2.92 a week earlier, according to the AAA auto club. AAA attributed […]
By Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix The Senate’s plan to address the school choice voucher system’s shortfalls was made public Friday. “A myriad of accountability problems” went on display this week when two legislative committees reacted to an independent audit showing “funding did not follow the child” to private schools or homeschool. Now, Sen. Don Gaetz, […]
By Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix The state’s school voucher program has exhibited “a myriad of accountability problems” and caused a funding shortfall for public schools, a state audit released this week shows. The audit, encompassing the 2024-2025 school year, was presented this week to lawmakers, who are spending the weeks leading up to the legislative […]
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix TAMPA — Legislation signed into Florida law in 2022 that changed how long juveniles can be held in pre-trial detention before adjudicatory hearings has led to a “drastic reduction” in crimes such as auto robberies, a top law enforcement official said Wednesday. “There were kids 13, 14, 15-years-old prolifically across Florida […]
By Florida Phoenix Staff Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky ordered a 6.9% decrease in workers’ compensation rates for the coming year. The reduction applies to both new and renewal policies effective Jan. 1, 2026. “I am pleased to approve a substantial rate cut of 6.9% for Florida’s workers’ compensation policies this upcoming year. This rate decrease […]