Supreme Court Blocks Florida Law Banning Kids From Drag Shows
Law
Supreme Court Blocks Florida Law Banning Kids From Drag Shows
2023-11-17 20:52:08
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Florida law that bans child access to drag shows, saying it violates First Amendment free speech rights. Gov. Ron DeSantis and his supporters enacted the law to protect children from... Read More

Florida’s Secretary of State Sued Over ‘Vague’ Voter Registration Form
Voting
Florida’s Secretary of State Sued Over ‘Vague’ Voter Registration Form
2023-05-30 18:54:14
by Dan McCue

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The state chapters of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP are suing Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd over what they contend is an intentionally vague voter registration form that violates federal law. According to... Read More

Bill Could Ban Girls From Talking About Their Periods in School
In The States
Bill Could Ban Girls From Talking About Their Periods in School
2023-03-25 13:50:45
by Claire Cleveland

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In Florida, Republican lawmakers have introduced a bevy of new legislation that will, if passed, restrict certain health educational materials used in state schools. One such bill, House Bill 1069, would limit children below sixth grade from... Read More

Florida Election Officials Slapped With Lawsuit Over ‘Wet Signature’ Rule
In The States
Florida Election Officials Slapped With Lawsuit Over ‘Wet Signature’ Rule
2023-03-19 21:15:17
by Dan McCue

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida election officials have been slapped with a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s 2005 “wet signature” requirement. Since 2005, Florida has required individuals registering to vote to submit their application with an “original signature.” In a lawsuit... Read More

DeSantis Crushes Trump in Poll of Florida Voters
Opinion Polls
DeSantis Crushes Trump in Poll of Florida Voters
2023-03-10 16:24:36
by Dan McCue

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There may be a long way to go before the Florida primary — a full year in fact — but a new poll provides a tantalizing early look at a potential matchup between Gov. Ron DeSantis and... Read More

Election Uncertainty Abounds as Florida Cleans Up From Hurricane Ian’s Fury
In The States
Election Uncertainty Abounds as Florida Cleans Up From Hurricane Ian’s Fury
2022-10-01 18:49:53
by Dan McCue

TALLAHASSEE — Hurricane Ian’s march through Florida and the Caribbean left at least 35 people dead in the Sunshine State, along with another three in Cuba, and caused anywhere from $66 billion to $75 billion in damage, depending on the... Read More

Florida Judge Opts to Move Slowly on Trump Special Master Request
Law
Florida Judge Opts to Move Slowly on Trump Special Master Request
2022-09-01 21:10:02
by Dan McCue

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A federal judge nominated to the bench by former President Donald Trump in 2020 said Thursday she would like to take more time to consider his request to appoint a special master to review documents... Read More

Florida Sues FDA to Speed Up Canadian Drug Import Approval
Prescription Drugs
Florida Sues FDA to Speed Up Canadian Drug Import Approval
2022-09-01 20:23:26
by Tom Ramstack

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's governor announced Wednesday his state is suing the Food and Drug Administration to speed up permission to import drugs from Canada. Canadian drugs for diabetes, hepatitis C and other common illnesses are less expensive than most... Read More

Primary Takeaways: Abortion Politics, DeSantis Flexes Muscle
2022 Elections
Primary Takeaways: Abortion Politics, DeSantis Flexes Muscle

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis learned who his Democratic challenger will be this fall. The impact of redistricting was on full display. Democrats sorted through rivalries amongst themselves. And abortion may give Democrats a lifeline in an otherwise rough November. The most intense stretch of... Read More

Florida’s Restrictions on Instruction About Race and Sex Hit Legal Obstacle
In The States
Florida’s Restrictions on Instruction About Race and Sex Hit Legal Obstacle
2022-08-21 13:12:32
by Tom Ramstack

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suffered setbacks Thursday when a federal judge blocked part of a controversial state law that bans employers from promoting some sex- and race-based concepts during training sessions. The same day, the American Civil... Read More

Once the Nation’s Swingingest Swing State, Florida’s Primary a Test on How to Challenge the Right
2022 Elections
Once the Nation’s Swingingest Swing State, Florida’s Primary a Test on How to Challenge the Right
2022-08-20 00:05:34
by Dan McCue

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It once was the state people wrung their hands over. A generation ago, political conversations around the dinner table come the final weeks before an election usually landed somewhere around here:  “Your candidate might have all this... Read More

Justice Department Files Motion to Unseal Search Warrant, Receipt From Trump Raid
Justice
Justice Department Files Motion to Unseal Search Warrant, Receipt From Trump Raid
2022-08-11 20:38:59
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland broke his silence on Monday’s raid on the Palm Beach, Florida, home of former President Donald Trump, announcing that the Justice Department has filed a motion in the federal court in South Florida to... Read More

Appeals Court Hands Gov. DeSantis a Loss
Social Media
Appeals Court Hands Gov. DeSantis a Loss
2022-05-24 19:07:12
by Madeline Hughes

ATLANTA, Ga. —  A Florida law intended to punish social media companies from allegedly barring conservative politicians from their platforms is unconstitutional, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. “Put simply, with minor exceptions, the government can’t tell... Read More

Florida Judge Declares DeSantis Map Unconstitutional
Redistricting
Florida Judge Declares DeSantis Map Unconstitutional
2022-05-11 23:44:10
by Dan McCue

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida judge declared a congressional district map approved by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis unconstitutional Wednesday because it intentionally “Diminishes African Americans’ ability to elect the representative of their choice.” Leon County Circuit Court Judge Layne Smith... Read More

11th Circuit Reinstates Florida Voting Restrictions
Voting
11th Circuit Reinstates Florida Voting Restrictions
2022-05-06 21:45:15
by Dan McCue

ATLANTA — The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday reinstated parts of a revised Florida election law that a lower court found intentionally discriminated against Black voters. In its per curiam opinion, the three-judge panel said Chief U.S.... Read More

Florida House’s OJ Day Brings Politicos, Protestors Together Behind Supreme Court
Business
Florida House’s OJ Day Brings Politicos, Protestors Together Behind Supreme Court
2022-05-04 17:32:19
by Kate Michael

WASHINGTON — Politicians, Supreme Court protestors, and passersby were all spotted squeezing some Florida sunshine into their day, enjoying free orange juice offered by Florida House’s annual Orange Juice Day giveaway on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning. Each year on May... Read More

GOP Expert Offers His Perspective on Redistricting and What it Portends for 2022
Redistricting
GOP Expert Offers His Perspective on Redistricting and What it Portends for 2022
2022-04-22 21:57:12
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — With just two states, New Hampshire and Missouri, left to finalize congressional district maps ahead of the 2022 midterms, attention is now shifting to primary contests and the inevitable litigation that the decennially-drawn maps inspire. On Friday, The... Read More

Florida Legislature Advances Congressional District Map Proposed by DeSantis
Redistricting
Florida Legislature Advances Congressional District Map Proposed by DeSantis
2022-04-21 17:49:08
by Dan McCue

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday voted to advance a redistricting plan proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that will likely place the state’s representation on Capitol Hill further into the Republican column while eliminating a district... Read More

Florida Gov. DeSantis Pushes to End Disney Self-Government
Local Government
Florida Gov. DeSantis Pushes to End Disney Self-Government

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state, the latest volley in a feud between the... Read More

DeSantis Pushing Controversial District Map Ahead of Special Session
Redistricting
DeSantis Pushing Controversial District Map Ahead of Special Session
2022-04-18 16:03:03
by Dan McCue

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Legislature was supposed to take up congressional redistricting during a special session that begins Tuesday, but the Republican leaders of both chambers have already punted the process back to the governor’s office. The back and... Read More

Abortion Ban After 15 Weeks Signed into Law in Florida
Health
Abortion Ban After 15 Weeks Signed into Law in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban into law Thursday as the state joined a growing conservative push to restrict access to the procedure ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could roll... Read More

‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Florida
‘Don’t Say Gay' Bill Signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, a policy that has drawn intense national scrutiny from critics who argue it... Read More

Some GOP States Seek New Police Units for Election Probes
Voting
Some GOP States Seek New Police Units for Election Probes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republicans responding to the myth of widespread voter fraud are turning to a new tactic to appease voters who believe the claims: election police. The efforts to establish law enforcement units dedicated to investigating election crimes... Read More

‘Freedom First’ Approach Sees Florida Tourism Grow Beyond Pre-Pandemic Levels
Tourism
‘Freedom First’ Approach Sees Florida Tourism Grow Beyond Pre-Pandemic Levels
2022-02-22 18:43:24
by Kate Michael

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida tourism is rebounding exceptionally well and even surpassing pre-pandemic levels according to a recent announcement from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Sunshine State welcomed 30.9 million visitors between October and December 2021, and nearly a full 118... Read More

Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick Wins Florida’s 20th Congressional District Contest
Elections
Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick Wins Florida's 20th Congressional District Contest
2022-01-12 00:29:37
by TWN Staff

FORT LAUDERDALE — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has won the election to represent Florida's 20th Congressional District, replacing the late long-time Rep. Alcee Hastings. As of 7:22 p.m. Tuesday night, Cherfilus-McCormick had garned 78% of the total 45,471 votes reported cast.... Read More

Frontrunner in Florida’s 20th CD Race Blasts Non-Endorsement
In The States
Frontrunner in Florida’s 20th CD Race Blasts Non-Endorsement
2022-01-08 16:44:44
by Dan McCue

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The race to replace the late Rep. Alcee Hastings in Florida’s 20th Congressional District — a contest considered all but signed, sealed and delivered to three-time candidate Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in the heavily Democratic district — has... Read More

Stephanie Murphy, a Leading Centrist, Won’t Seek Reelection
Political News
Stephanie Murphy, a Leading Centrist, Won’t Seek Reelection
2021-12-20 18:54:15
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., among the most prominent of House moderates since flipping a battleground district four years ago, announced Monday she will not seek reelection in 2022. In a video message to her constituents, Murphy said she... Read More

Local County Government Pushes to End Period Poverty
Health
Local County Government Pushes to End Period Poverty
2021-11-17 18:53:06
by Alexa Hornbeck

LEON COUNTY, Fla. — In the panhandle of Florida, Leon County, a small county of around 270,000 residents, has been working to offer free menstrual products in school buildings, courthouses, community centers, parks and libraries. "Leon County continues to address... Read More

Eleven Candidates Vying to Replace Alcee Hastings in Florida’s 20th CD
Elections
Eleven Candidates Vying to Replace Alcee Hastings in Florida’s 20th CD
2021-11-01 11:37:32
by Dan McCue

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.— Eleven candidates will appear on the ballot in Florida's 20th Congressional District on Tuesday, Nov. 2, facing off in a primary allegedly delayed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help stymie policy gains by Democrats in the U.S.... Read More

Biden Responds to Increased Demand for Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
In The States
Biden Responds to Increased Demand for Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
2021-09-29 15:41:01
by Alexa Hornbeck

Many states are turning to monoclonal antibody treatments to curb the rise in hospitalizations and emergency room visits as COVID-19 cases rise. The demand on orders for the drugs has increased twenty-fold since mid-July, according to a spokesperson from the... Read More

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