By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The number of abortions reported in Florida during the first eight months of this year was nearly 13 percent lower than during the same period in 2022 and 2023, as a law preventing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy has led to fewer procedures. Newly […]
By The News Service of Florida Florida totaled nearly $3.43 billion in net general revenue in January, $40.1 million more than had been projected in a January forecast. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research on Wednesday released a report that showed sales taxes, which make up the largest part of general revenue, totaled […]
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. […]
A political committee leading efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to allow recreational use of marijuana raised $11 million from Aug. 16 through Aug. 23, with $10 million coming from the Trulieve cannabis company, according to a new finance report. The Smart & Safe Florida political committee had raised a total of $82.62 million in […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida A day after being indicted by a grand jury on forgery and other charges, state Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, turned herself in at the Orange County Jail on Thursday. The 29-year-old legislator, who is running for re-election in November, was indicted on charges of forgery, uttering a […]
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 […]
By The News Service of Florida A federal judge next week will consider a renewed attempt to shield Escambia County School Board members from testifying about a decision to remove the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” from school libraries. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor is scheduled to hold a hearing Sept. 4 on a […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Environmentalists are seeking assurances that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has scrapped plans for a series of golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park after a state spokeswoman said the proposal has been dropped. Audubon Florida, the Sierra Club and other groups also are rallying against additional changes […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing a controversial proposal to add lodges, pickleball courts and golf at state parks, as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office on Thursday defended the idea of making the sites “more visitor-friendly.” The Florida Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the proposal, dubbed the […]
By The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Port Canaveral leaders acquiesced Wednesday to demands by the state and reversed plans for a new cruise terminal that could have been an impediment to future needs of the space industry. The Port Canaveral Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to end plans set in May for redesignating […]