By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s online unemployment system was never tested to meet the demands encountered during the coronavirus pandemic, and more than a dozen issues remained outstanding years after the system went live, according to a report released Thursday by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. The 95-page draft report […]
While Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried was taking steps to influence Florida cannabis policy and implement rules that regulate the cultivation of hemp, her fiancee’, Jake Bergmann, created a web of companies with people and organizations that have a professional interest in the cannabis and the hemp industry. Several of the people involved with the businesses […]
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis gave his State of the State address Tuesday to formally start the 2021 legislative session. Here are his remarks, as prepared for delivery: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the House and Senate and fellow citizens: I see, in many parts of our country, a sad state of affairs: schools […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After focusing almost exclusively since December on vaccinating seniors, Gov. Ron DeSantis has cleared the way for more people under age 65 to receive shots if they are “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19. DeSantis issued an executive order late Friday afternoon that allows physicians to vaccinate […]
By Jordan Kirkland, The Capitolist Florida gas prices continue to skyrocket thanks to arctic weather causing chaos on the Gulf Coast refinery region. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose by 15 cents, putting a $2.61 per gallon price tag at the pump for Florida drivers. The jump at the pump […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Services of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The 2021 legislative session will start March 2, with Gov. Ron DeSantis giving the annual State of the State address. Lawmakers will take up a wide range of issues during the 60-day session, along with negotiating a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Here are […]
By The News Service of Florida Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried intends to defy a call by Gov. Ron DeSantis to lower flags to half-staff to honor conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died last week. Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, issued a statement Monday that she will direct offices within her Cabinet agency […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Contending the state needs to strengthen election integrity, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday proposed a series of changes in Florida’s voting process. DeSantis made the announcement three months after proclaiming that Florida had vanquished the “ghost” of the 2000 presidential recount and other well-documented election […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Three years after a mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School led lawmakers to pass a major school-safety bill, an appeals court Thursday rejected a challenge to allowing armed “guardians” on campuses. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal upheld […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — As state lawmakers face a revenue shortfall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration says a request for $50 million for business incentives wouldn’t have that large of an impact on the upcoming budget. Adam Callaway, director of strategic business development at the Department […]