By The News Service of Florida First-quarter tourism into Florida was up 6.7 percent from a year ago, with overseas visitors still under pre-COVID-19 figures, according to a release from the governor’s office Friday. Florida’s tourism agency Visit Florida estimated a record 37.9 million travelers into the state during the first quarter of 2023, up […]
BY Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Walt Disney Company on Thursday scrapped plans to build a nearly $1 billion office complex and relocate 2,000 California-based cast members to Florida. The move comes after Disney earlier this year announced reorganization plans to cut costs by $5.5 billion, including $3 billion related to […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With a federal change expected to lead to a surge in migrants crossing the country’s southern border, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a controversial bill that targets illegal immigration. The bill (SB 1718), which the Republican-controlled Legislature passed during the session that ended last […]
By Jim Turner and Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed 37 bills, including a measure that will prevent the release of past and future travel records of DeSantis and other state leaders. DeSantis also signed bills that will lead to the state inspecting Walt Disney World’s […]
Citing new funding for pay raises and changes to the Florida Retirement System (FRS), the Florida Police Benevolent Association is pleased with the outcome of the 2023 Florida legislative session. After legislative action during session is implemented, the public sector is in line for a 5% across-the-board pay raise and public employees will benefit from […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session Friday. During the 60-day session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed numerous high-profile bills that lined up with priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues: — ABORTION: After passing a 15-week abortion limit […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Turmoil continued Wednesday in the public-corruption trial of former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum amid revelations that a juror posted information about the case on social media after deliberations began. Information about the social-media posts surfaced a day after jurors told U.S. District Judge Allen […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Mostly silent on the issue for the past year, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit arguing its First Amendment rights were violated and business harmed by a “relentless campaign” of retribution orchestrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials. The […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — A key Senate committee on Tuesday approved a scaled-back proposal aimed at requiring transgender men and women to use restrooms that line up with their sex assigned at birth, as protesters marched to the Capitol to speak out against bills targeting the LGBTQ community. Florida […]
BY Jim Turner & Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate negotiators expressed optimism Monday as they began trading budget proposals, despite gaps in spending over issues such as public schools, land preservation and tourism marketing. “I think we’re in great shape. We’ve been working really well with our House […]