By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis helped quash a proposal seeking to allow recreational marijuana, state health officials announced they intend to award medical-marijuana licenses to 22 of dozens of applicants who vied for the licenses more than a year ago. The move, posted on the […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State senators are off to a quick start filing bills as they gear up for the 2025 legislative session, which begins March 4. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, officially took over as leaders of their respective chambers for the […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Receiving President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement and setting off political dominoes, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Monday he will run for a Northwest Florida congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. Trump also threw his endorsement behind state Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard […]
By The News Service of Florida Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz ended speculation Friday about whether he would return to his Northwest Florida seat when the new Congress takes office in January. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz said in a podcast interview with Turning Point USA founder and President Charlie […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was part of President-elect Donald Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, was nominated Thursday by Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general. The appointment came hours after former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Florida education leaders want parents to be reminded annually that they can face consequences if their children report false threats of violence. The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a rule change that will require school districts to make training available to parents and […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, began a two-year term as Florida Senate president Tuesday, saying he will hold the insurance industry accountable and try to lead a “rural renaissance.” Albritton, a citrus grower who succeeded Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo as president, pointed to damage caused by […]
By Bill Cotterell, The News Service of Florida One reason Alcoholics Anonymous is successful is that it won’t permit comforting little euphemisms in group sessions. If you say, “I was really smashed” or “I was feeling no pain,” someone in the circle will politely interrupt with, “The word is ‘drunk.’ You were drunk.” To cure […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office Friday filed a 25-page […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A controversial 2021 state law making it harder for people to vote by mail could complicate holding special elections to fill two Florida congressional seats after President-elect Donald Trump tapped Republicans Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz to serve in his administration. The 2021 law included […]