By Tom Urban, Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida International University Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved appointing former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as the university’s president. Nuñez has served as interim president since February and emerged last month as the sole finalist to become president. The appointment remains […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Nearly a month after leaving the Capitol without passing a budget, House and Senate leaders said Friday night they had reached an agreement that will clear the way for lawmakers to begin hammering out details of a spending plan Tuesday. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida State University President and House Speaker John Thrasher, whose career in politics and public service spanned more than three decades, died Friday after a battle with cancer, his family announced. Thrasher, 81, served in the House and the Senate before being tapped in […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday vetoed a bill aimed at clearing the way for some people to pursue medical-malpractice lawsuits over the deaths of family members. DeSantis, who earlier had indicated he would veto the bill (HB 6017), said during an appearance at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers that the proposal could “open […]
By The News Service of Florida The state university system’s Board of Governors next week will consider the appointment of Santa Ono as president of the University of Florida and a proposed five-year contract that includes a $1.5 million base salary. The board has scheduled a meeting Tuesday in Orlando, after UF trustees unanimously selected […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to reshape the state’s higher-education system, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees on Tuesday selected state Education Commissioner Manny Díaz Jr. to serve as the school’s interim president. Díaz, a close ally of DeSantis, will succeed outgoing President […]
By The News Service of Florida The Legislature on Friday formally sent bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prevent elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the entire school day and create a new third-degree felony offense of animal cruelty for people who restrain dogs outside during natural disasters. The cell-phone […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — “Fear and uncertainty” about a new law targeting the state’s ballot-initiative process has led to a significant drop in people working to collect signatures for 2026 ballot measures, groups challenging the law told a federal judge on Thursday. One of the most-controversial parts of the […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Records related to a state House probe of a nonprofit linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature Hope Florida assistance program are part of an “open” investigation, Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell’s office said Tuesday. House Health Care Budget Chairman Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, submitted […]
TALLAHASSEE — A new state law targeting undocumented immigrants who enter Florida should remain blocked as a legal battle plays out, attorneys challenging the law argued in a filing Friday at a federal appeals court. The attorneys, representing the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida and two individual plaintiffs, pushed back against a […]