Amid a debate about the role of government and parental rights, the Florida Senate on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to keep children under the age of 16 off social media platforms.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-2 to approve a bill (SB 1788) that is similar to a measure (HB 1) that passed the House last month and is a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.

The Florida House is poised to pass a bill aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, as parts of the tech industry argue the measure could be unconstitutional and create data-privacy concerns.

A massive expansion of Florida’s school-choice programs that would make all students eligible for taxpayer-backed vouchers is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, after the Republican-controlled Senate passed the measure Thursday amid warnings from Democrats.

A Florida law is getting international attention from a special United Nations committee aimed at combatting racial inequality around the world.

A federal judge on Thursday ruled that Florida’s new “anti-riot” law is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

Joined by Florida Republican lawmakers and representatives from law enforcement agencies around the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday morning signed into law the controversial so-called anti-riot bill that aims to address protests that turn violent.

A bipartisan proposal to add hiring standards and bolster use-of-force training for police and correctional officers began moving forward Thursday in the House.

Senate President Wilton Simpson said Thursday he will use a procedural maneuver to ensure that a controversial law-and-order proposal pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis starts moving in the Senate.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Councilman Terrance Freeman joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to discuss the City Council meetings in March that included discussions of the NOPE bill and the replacement of septic systems in the Christobel neighborhood. Then, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren and state Rep. Cord Byrd join the show to share their views on HB 1, the so-called “anti-riot” bill. Finally, Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, joins the show to talk about her meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and the help her organization is receiving and providing for COVID-19 relief.

About a hundred people arrived Tuesday afternoon at the Florida Capitol to rally against the "anti-riot" legislation. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Demonstrators traveled from Jacksonville to Tallahassee on Tuesday to rally against House Bill 1, which has been dubbed “anti-riot” legislation. Supporters of the bill say it would help crack down on violent protests, while opponents say it’s overkill and could be used to restrict people from peacefully protesting. “We want lawmakers to know that we oppose House Bill 1.”Ben Frazier with the Northside Coalition is among those who say the bill would limit First Amendment rights. About a hundred people showed up Tuesday afternoon at the Florida Capitol to make known their displeasure over the legislation.

Those who organized or funded “violent” protests would be treated as members of organized crime syndicates. Civil rights advocates say this bill is blatantly unconstitutional, violating First Amendment rights. “The League of Women Voters of Florida strongly believes that this piece of legislation politicizes the right to protest and disregards the protections provided by the First Amendment. One cannot stand for freedom or liberty if you oppose free speech,” President of the Women Voters of Florida Patricia Brigham said. The Florida Republican leaders have also pointed to the attack in Washington, D.C. to bolster the justification for a crackdown on violent protests.