New Florida law increases support for firefighters who are battling cancer
According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general population in the United States.
Gov. DeSantis to get bill that makes it easier to shoot bears, claim self defense
A bill passed by the Florida House aims to make it easier for people to shoot bears on their property under the claim of self-defense. The bill would provide self-defense protections to individuals who kill bears, as long as they can reasonably prove that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Critics argue that the bill is based on fear rather than facts and does not include mechanisms to prevent excessive killings of bears.
Jacksonville faith leaders & Northside Coalition traveling to Tallahassee for rally at Capitol
Faith leaders from the Jacksonville area and members of the Northside Coalition left Wednesday morning to travel to Tallahassee, where they will protest at the Capitol against a recent move by Gov. Ron DeSantisโ administration to block a new high school Advanced Placement course on African American studies.
DeSantis: Florida schools safer now, 5 years after deadly mass shooting in Parkland
At a news conference Tuesday in Jacksonville, Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged the five-year mark since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 students and staff members dead.
First Lady Casey DeSantis announces launch of website providing resources for Floridians with cancer
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis visited Jacksonville on Wednesday to announce the launch of a website to help Floridians who have cancer and their loved ones navigate coverage and find providers, treatment options, nonprofits and other resources for day-to-day life.
Curry for Congress? Mayor ducks questions after governorโs new map favors Jacksonville Republicans
Now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has put out his proposed map for Floridaโs congressional seats, thereโs talk Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry could have his sights set on one of those dramatically redrawn districts.
Controversial โviewpointโ survey sent to Floridaโs colleges draws criticism from faculty
The survey is in response to HB 233 signed into law in 2021 by Governor DeSantis, who, at the time, claimed universities were prone to suppressing certain political viewpoints, though he did not cite any specific examples or elaborate on which viewpoints were being suppressed.
โPerpetuating a fraudโ: Gov. DeSantis dives into transgender swimmer debate
Gov. Ron DeSantis waded further into gender politics Tuesday, issuing a proclamation that said a swimmer from Sarasota is the nationโs best โfemaleโ in the 500-meter freestyle after she finished second last week to a transgender athlete at the NCAA championship.
Gov. DeSantis signs bill that eliminates FSA in public schools, but state teachers union not happy
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a bill that is ending the Florida Standards Assessments and replacing the standardized exams with a โprogress monitoring systemโ that would test students three times a year.
Florida drops appeal over federal immigration policies
As Gov. Ron DeSantis launched another broadside against the federal governmentโs immigration policies, the state on Friday said it is dropping a legal challenge against the Biden administration over immigration directives issued early this year.
Fried touts infrastructure bill while Gov. DeSantis raises doubts about equity
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Tuesday touted as โa big dealโ billions of dollars headed to Florida for roads, bridges, airports and expanding broadband service in rural areas as part of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill on President Joe Bidenโs desk.
Gov. DeSantis proposes $5K signing bonus to attract cops to Florida, including unvaccinated ones
Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Sunday he is hoping the Florida Legislature will pass legislation granting a $5,000 bonus to police officers who may be unvaccinated and want to relocate to the Sunshine State.
DeSantis: Satellite company to invest $300 million, bring 2,000 jobs to Floridaโs Space Coast
Terran Orbital, a micro-satellite company, plans to invest $300 million in a massive commercial spacecraft and constellation facility to Space Florida on Merritt Island, Gov. DeSantis and the company announced Monday.
DeSantis defends $5,000 fines on businesses that asked for vaccine proof
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday defended his decision to start issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools and government agencies that require people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, saying he doesnโt want to create two classes of citizens.
Did Florida change COVID-19 reporting to create โartificial declineโ in recent deaths?
Following a report from the Miami Herald that the Florida Department of Health changed the way it reported death data to the CDC, giving the appearance of a pandemic in decline, Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back Wednesday, calling the story a โtotally false partisan narrative.โ
Embattled leader of Florida domestic violence coalition to repay $2 million after scandal
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Office of Attorney General have settled pending civil actions involving the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. (FCADV), its officers and directors, and the FCADV foundation for more than $5 million, the state announced Thursday.
State Board of Education votes to investigate Alachua school district, superintendent for mask mandate
The state Board of Education on Tuesday voted in favor of a recommendation to โuse its enforcement powersโ against Alachua County Public Schools after the district defied a statewide order to allow students to opt out of wearing a face mask without a doctorโs note.
Fried goes after Gov. DeSantis, calls for daily COVID case numbers, more testing sites
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday morning continued her criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his response to the coronavirus pandemic, calling for the Republican governor to increase the number of testing sites in the state and bring back daily case number updates.
Florida Gov. DeSantis crusades against mask mandates in private roundtable
In a round table discussion Monday, which was not disclosed to the public ahead of time, Gov. Ron DeSantis met with a group of supporters to discuss, and heavily criticize, the idea of wearing face coverings in Florida schools.
Gov. DeSantis vows to fight school mask mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down Thursday on his opposition to mask mandates for public-school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he would call for a special legislative session if the federal government moves toward requiring masks in schools.
DeSantis amplifies COVID-19 lab leak theory, alleges China coverup
Referencing a theory that the coronavirus pandemic started after the virus leaked from a Wuhan lab, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed two bills into law with the goal of stopping nefarious foreign influence and corporate espionage in Florida.