Capital Report: Recent Episodes
WFSU Public Media
WFSU Public Media reporters, as well as reporters from public radio stations across the state, bring you timely news and information from around Florida. Whether it's legislative maneuvers between sessions, the economy, environmental issues, tourism, business, or the arts, Capital Report provides information on issues that affect the lives of everyday Floridians.
Although many folks from all over the political spectrum are a bit gobsmacked by a number of Donald Trump appointees, there are some who are saying, “What’s the big deal?”; Fear is growing among many immigrant communities, even those with legal status, in response to Donald Trump’s deportation promises; The conventional wisdom among lots of Democrats was that Hispanic voters would flee from the Republicans this electoral cycle. Boy, were they wrong; An expert on consumer law thinks protecting seniors from scams might be one of those issues that everyone, regardless of politics, may be able to get behind; Even though the words “climate change” may not have official recognition in Florida, the research consensus remains that manmade impacts are still driving weather patterns into ever more dangerous territories; And a bunch of Florida counties have adopted something called “Children’s Services Councils” to provide more services for kids. We’ll find out how that’s going.
On tonight’s program: Florida voters reject the constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational marijuana use by adults. Many law enforcement officials are happy, but there are some who are not; Why does Florida have a 60 percent threshold anyway? That’s a question on many minds after most Florida voters cast ballots in favor of an amendment to protect abortion rights, but the proposal still failed; The old saying is, it takes two to tangle. But there are those political analysts suggesting that only one national political party fought in Florida in advance of this week’s election; A powerful Florida Republican shares his take on the election and how he saw it all coming; Few people expected this week’s election to be any kind of a Democratic blow-out. But even fewer anticipated a Democratic blow-UP; And after all the election stress, perhaps seeking out spiritual sanctuary may help
On tonight’s program: Florida school board races are not partisan affairs today. But they used to be. And they could be partisan again if voters agree; Even some who think the right to hunt and fish should be in the Florida Constitution are having some reservations; Recreational marijuana use by adults in Florida remains a hot button topic just days before the election; Florida’s proposed constitutional guarantee to abortion access continues to be an emotionally wrenching matter for many; Amendment 5 seems a big hit with folks on limited incomes; And Florida voters will even get to decide whether or not public funds should still be used to help fund political campaigns.
On tonight's program: Florida’s Amendment Four sparks a furious media battle between supporter and opponents; Governor DeSantis and the state’s First Lady turn their attention from Amendment Four to Amendment Three; Are there possible conflicts between medical and recreational marijuana in Florida? There are some who say there are; Florida’s status as a red state keeps growing. But at least one Democratic operative is predicting voter pushback will come, someday; Much has been said about how the issues facing young people are different from oldervoters. But some new reporting suggests there are more similarities than differences; and Florida’s attorney general says it’s time state authorities got involved in the case involving a gunman discovered lurking near Donald Trump’s Mar A Lago golf course.
On tonight’s program: As mail in ballots return to elections offices, data shows more Democrats have voted so far than Republicans, but experts don’t expect that lead to last; The race for a North Florida state Senate seat is heating up; And we’ll hear about how to fight disinformation and misinformation during disasters and their recovery; As Floridians recover from three different hurricanes, questions about insurance are growing; One line worker shares what keeps her going as she works to get the lights back on in her community; And a group of seniors gathers to reflect on their experiences following the recent hurricanes.
On tonight’s program: This year’s hurricane season has taken a toll on Floridians. With back-to-back storms some are struggling to recover; As conspiracy theories and misinformation about the recent hurricanes and the recovery process spread, officials worry about the consequences; A battle is brewing to extend the voter registration deadline after concerns that Hurricanes Milton and Helene could disenfranchise voters; After a storm, one of the primary concerns is often how quickly the electricity will be restored. That answer starts with the transmission lines; As severe weather becomes more common in the state and across the country, Floridians may soon receive more guidance about to expect, and how to prepare, for the future; And after years of planning, one community is working to remove what’s often a major barrier to getting mental healthcare, by providing housing for those in treatment.
On tonight's program: There’s a new Florida law restricting the places unhoused folks can sleep in Florida; The big push in advance of election day is on. Those for and against Florida’s constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access are kicking up their marketing campaigns; We hear from a man who saw Hurricane Helene at its worst; A respected meteorologist explains why we shouldn’t focus ONLY on the hurricane cone; Even though Helene made official landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, its devastation extended for hundreds of miles, including the Tampa Bay area; And it seems much of the storm damage may not be covered by regular homeowner’s insurance policies.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis wants lawmakers to come back to Tallahassee before the 2025 Session to tackle the matter of unsafe condominiums; What’s the old saying about blending politics and religion usually being a bad idea? Florida’s present abortion debate runs counter to that wisdom; This is suicide prevention month. We speak with a family that is using its own tragic loss as a way to reach and help others; Florida voters will have a chance in November to reduce their property taxes. But only if inflation goes up; Another proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution would make local school board races partisan affairs. But it may not have the impact many of its supporters would like; And we follow the inspiring adventures of some very aware kids.
On tonight's program: Supporters of Amendment 4, which would enshrine access to abortion in the FloridaConstitution, charge the DeSantis administration of trying to muddy the electoral waters; Governor DeSantis claims some of the petitions that put Amendment 4 on the Florida ballot were fraudulent. The governor’s opponents are calling that a “voter suppression” tactic; With abortions nearly unavailable in Florida, it seems more people are opting for pregnancy prevention strategies; Unregistered voters can’t vote. So that’s sparking a big voter registration push in advance of the November election; Florida’s high court mulls over the way state officials redrew a number of congressional district lines; Voting for appellate judges and supreme court justices is unique in Florida; and Florida has a condo crisis. The state is moving to ramp up inspections for older buildings and impose more regulations on new construction. But some believe it’s all happening too fast.
On tonight’s program: Outright lies in political advertising? Who could imagine such a thing?; How do you match a political message to its intended audience? It’s a combination of art and science; For a growing number of people who have mental health issues, a stay in a Florida jail or prison is essentially a death sentence; A Florida program to help kids with disabilities get ready for great careers is looking to grow the number of students it serves; And Florida is also ramping up the number of student nurses in the pipeline in response to a rapidly growing need.
On tonight’s program: An execution in Florida revives the ongoing conflict between supporters and opponents; A plan to add golf courses and pickleball courts to some of Florida’s state parks raises a royal ruckus; Advocates are looking to an Alabama gender affirming care case for clues on what might be next for Florida; Low-income Florida school kids missed out on a summer meals program this year. But what about next year?; We revisit an area that’s still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Idalia; Last week’s low voter turnout in Florida doesn’t seem to be alarming too many people.
On tonight’s program: A now-fired Okalaloosa County deputy sheriff faces formal charges in connection with the shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson back in May; Kamela Harris becomes the official Democratic candidate for president, much to the delight of many Florida Democrats; Is Governor Ron DeSantis’s political clout beginning to wane? We’ll have some analysis in that regard; Voter turnout continues to slip in Florida; We have the second and final story in our series about the impact of Florida’s new abortion restrictions; And the Olympics are over, but the Paralympics start next week. We’ll hear from a world champion swimmer who is heading to the Paralympic games for the first time.
On tonight’s program: It seems the former president of the University of Florida wasn’t exactly thrifty when it came to his office spending; A big administrative shakeup is underway at Florida A&M University as an interim president takes over. Among those who’ve packed their bags….; A Florida ban on what’s known as “cultivated meat” is being challenged in court; The battle for Florida State Senate District Three has become more than a little bit interesting; Florida’s stricter abortion restrictions have prompted a growing degree of out-of-state travel by those seeking that procedure; While more homeowners are being forced into Citizens Insurance, that ultimately means higher prices, even for those who aren’t policyholders; And there’s often a reason why college and university students have to wait awhile until landlords repair the property damage from the previous student renters.
On tonight's program: Governor Ron DeSantis has some definite thoughts about a fellow-governor who’s the Democratic pick for vice president; With so much fake news abounding, at least one media organization says it can help voters separate fact from fiction; The season’s first hurricane to strike Florida comes ashore in the state’s Big Bend region, although its impacts were felt much further afield; Amidst a cornucopia of challenges, Florida A&M University begins the search for a new, permanent leader; And if you think YOUR job is hot this summer, try working in a food truck.
On tonight's program: As this year’s election nears, the debate continues over whether Florida’s voting laws are too strict or not strict enough; We listen in on an extended conversation with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush; A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing recreation pot in Florida remains a contentious issue heading into the election. It’s a proposal that’s still getting a lot of pushback from Governor DeSantis; A statewide ban on local rules mandating water breaks for outside workers have both workers and some local governments doing a slow burn; And with a shortage of traditional space, some non-traditional schools are winding up in some unlikely locations.
On tonight’s program: As a new presidential candidate rises to the fore, Florida Democrats seem to be getting behind her; A Florida lawmaker insists state school vouchers shouldn’t apply to all religious institutions of learning; Florida used to be a top filming location for TV shows and movies. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore; For many students and their parents, the dubious joys of filling out financial disclosure paperwork for student loans is now underway; And top-tier high school athletes in Florida will now be able to profit from their fame.
On tonight’s program: We take a uniquely Florida look at the Republican National Convention that wrapped up last night; Why did the G.O.P. presidential nominee pick a relative unknown for his running mate and what does that mean for some prominent Florida politicians?; Hunting and fishing rights will be on the ballot in November; Arts organizations all over Florida are scrambling to stay afloat after a wholesale veto of state grant funding; And a changing of the guard is coming to Florida A&M University as President Larry Robinson prepares to step down.
On tonight's program: Water breaks for outside workers, if ordered by local governments, are now banned in Florida Could federal action restore those heat protections? With the words “climate change” banned from state government in Florida, it seems some local jurisdictions are picking up the slack; With the incidence of hostile hacks on the rise, we’ll take a look at what can be done to foil the cybercrooks; Governor DeSantis’s statewide veto of arts and culture funding is drawing opposition; Youthful advocates make the difference as Florida lawmakers finally extend the services available for former foster kids; And who’s to blame for all the political conflicts nowadays? A seasoned and savvy lawmaker suggests there’s lots of blame to spread around.
On tonight’s program: Could President Biden’s less-than-stellar performance on the debate stage last week tarnish the electoral chances of Florida Democrats?; A new law allowing religious chaplains to be school counselors could have some unintended consequences; Some state education officials aren’t exactly thrilled about the academic achievement at two publicly funded universities; The Union of Concerned Scientists is especially concerned about the state of Florida; The question rages on in Tallahassee: how much will a proposed constitutional amendment actually cost if it passes?; The Florida Highway Patrol is urging special caution on the highways during the long and deadly Fourth of July weekend; And a new state law will force local Florida cities that use red light cameras for traffic law enforcement to be more forthcoming about where the money goes.
On tonight’s program: Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade handing abortion decisions to individual states, abortion access advocates are speaking out; Survivors of now-shuttered reform schools are celebrating a monumental effort to compensate them for the horrific abuse they suffered. And the governor’s decision to eliminate local arts funding from the state budget sends the community reeling; The U.S. Supreme Court says cities and counties can enforce bans on sleeping outside. And a new Florida law takes effect in October to do just that. Now advocates worry the state is criminalizing homelessness; Floridians fed up with so-called nuisance black bears can now shoot if they feel threatened. But one researcher says it’s all a misunderstanding; And the state makes a forceful pushback on antisemitism with a set of new laws.
On tonight's program: Legislative leaders say they will use reserve funds to pay workers after a surprise veto by the governor; New services for Florida’s military veterans bring near universal applause; Governor DeSantis’s “Stop Woke” act is facing a court challenge; A bill imposing tougher financial disclosure standards for city officials versus county officials in Florida is on hold following a federal judge’s ruling; Still awaiting the governor’s action – or inaction – is a bill stripping away most of the power wielded by local ethics boards when it comes to the misbehavior of elected officials; The cost of Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access was unclear. But that’s apparently resolved and the issue should be ready for the November ballot; And we tag along with a Juneteenth observance that turned out to be a real learning experience.
On tonight’s program: Those seeking gender affirming care in Florida now have even more hurdles to contend with; Both federal and state law enforcers agree human trafficking is horrible. What they don’t agree about is how to handle the cases; Despite claims that Florida’s teachers are seeing big boosts in their pay – with more on the way – others are taking issue with that; Oh, the challenges that face our special ed teachers, which explains the current shortage; Population changes in Florida are just one factor contributing to recent jumps in the cost of living for Floridians; Florida’s new citrus production numbers continue the downslide; And while Florida’s considered the nation’s number one state for boating, it’s also the number one state for boating accidents.
On tonight’s program: It’s officially hurricane season. And lots of disaster experts are saying it’s often best to stay close to home when the storm warnings go up; Hurricane forecasters have come up with some different-looking models to predict where the storms are headed. We’ll see what’s up with that; The times are getting tough for the little, independent drug store on the corner. We’ll find out why; Florida’s program to encourage more dads to stay connected to their kids has been around for a couple of years. How’s it going?; As the possibility of some Florida high school athletes making bank from their prowess, not everyone is excited with that prospect. We have two reports on the subject; And Florida’s traditional citrus crops have been devastated by citrus greening disease, making the producers that are left ever more desperate for solutions.
On tonight's program: We have reaction to yesterday’s historic guilty verdict for former President Donald Trump; One group says Florida has lots of folks listed twice on its voter rolls. Others say it’s just a ploy to dump properly registered voters; What could be an all-time record hurricane season officially begins tomorrow. How ready are you? How can state and local officials effectively communicate emergency information to those in Florida for whom English is essentially a foreign language; The murkiness and controversy surrounding the largest donation ever to a Historically Black University continues; And with STEM teachers at a premium in Florida, a new effort is underway to funnel students who are proficient in that area directly into the teaching profession.
On tonight's program: Governor DeSantis’s desk piles up with new bills this week; Technically, Florida’s new abortion restriction has exceptions. But the legal language about them is vague; Forecasters are predicting a hurricane season without precedent in recorded history; Florida’s utility companies are preparing for permanently stronger hurricane seasons; A nationally-known climate reporter has written a book on how kids can cope in a world that’s steadily warming; Saying a national human trafficking hotline is reluctant to bring police into cases, Florida sets up its own hotline. The national hotline people are still wondering….why? And another Florida shooting involving a police officer is calling into question the kind of training law enforcers receive when dealing with potential life and death situations.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s Capital City struggles to recover from the three tornadoes that slammed into it one week ago today; Hurricane season is still weeks away. But the insurance industry is already predicting rate hikes if the worst happens; Florida has issued new rules about the now-in-effect abortion restrictions. But some say those rules just muddy the water; We attend a funeral for a North Florida airman, who died at the hands of a police officer; Have you moved back to the office full-time after COVID made working from home more of an option for many employees? It seems that trend has done a number on the state’s commercial real estate market; And we hear about a commonly available substance that is questioned by many experts, but is applauded by its users.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s Capital City takes a big hit from mother nature during the pre-dawn hours this morning; A Northwest Florida law officer’s fatal shooting of an air force airman raises many questions and plenty of grief; A big donation to Florida A&M University turns out to have more than a few possible problems connected with it; Florida’s new abortion restriction became effective just over a week ago and that issue is now prime fodder for the upcoming election; And a newly signed law about occupational hazards for firefighters has sparked yet more potential conflict between a Florida city and the state’s firefighters union.
On tonight's program: What lies ahead for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? Another plan to search for fossil fuels in the delicate Apalachicola River basin has opponents rushing to the barricades; It’s not yet a law, but a bill allowing people who feel threatened to shoot black bears has advocates and opponents locked in verbal combat; Jobs are going begging for workers in South Florida. One of the reasons? High housing prices; And we’ll find the secret to making the so-called “Golden Years” healthier and happier is to stay involved, connected and active!
On tonight’s program: Florida colleges and universities are – so far – experiencing only modest protests in support of Gaza as the war with Israel goes on; Florida’s six-week abortion ban takes effect in days. We’ll see how it will impact those on both sides; On this Confederate Memorial Day – and yes, it’s still an official observance in Florida – we’ll talk about other monuments to the “lost cause”; Florida’s unhoused population keeps growing and there are those who are using this fact to political advantage; President Biden still has a lead over former President Trump among young people. Florida Democrats hope those young people will give the incumbent the winning edge in November; And Florida expands its DNA sampling to include everybody who’s arrested
On tonight's program: A looming six-week abortion ban in Florida has advocates scrambling to ensure some kind of care will remain accessible; Florida dives into a voucher program that advocates hope will drown-proof more kids; With a voter referendum on recreational marijuana coming in November, some people are still sounding bells of alarm; While pot opponents – like Governor DeSantis – believe loosening the state’s marijuana laws would be catastrophic, not everyone is so sure; A young Florida mom struggles to keep her opioid addiction at bay; And Florida bids goodbye to a statesman. Perhaps one of the last in our modern era.
On tonight’s program: An organization supporting transgender people in Tallahassee has gotten national attention; Governor DeSantis signs a bill into law ramping up penalties for interfering with law officers; Florida has a new law imposing harsher penalties on those convicted of retail theft; More and more Florida seniors are finding a place to live less and less affordable; The opioid crisis remains a crisis, although a Medicaid expansion in places like Florida is being touted as a powerful tool to help the fight; And some ancient Native American wisdom may be the best way to deal with some very modern problems.
On tonight’s program: Florida voters will decide the legality of abortion during the upcoming election; A recreational marijuana initiative likewise makes it to this November’s ballot, much to the delight of proponents; We talk with a third-party candidate for president who isn’t happy with the difficulty of qualifying to get on the Florida ballot; Florida’s new education commissioner is making sure that charter schools in one county are getting their share of funding. Even if that share was originally intended for traditional public schools; And while Florida is trying to lure more new manufacturing jobs to the state, some long-time production jobs in a rural North Florida county are disappearing forever.
On tonight’s program: A federal court says Florida’s redrawn North Florida congressional district is okay. But that doesn’t mean the matter is closed; Governor DeSantis signs the bill banning younger teens from accessing social media. And it looks like that’s not a done deal either; Disney and the State of Florida resolve at least one issue in their ongoing battle; Florida acts to ban synthesized meat. That battle is continuing; One of Florida’s U.S. Senators returns from Israel with strong criticism for the Biden administration; The state is helping businesses recruit employees amid an ongoing worker shortage; And some advocacy groups are pushing Florida to rejoin a system that is supposed to ensure no voters cast ballots in more than one state.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis signs into law a bill forcing local governments to make sure the unhoused don’t wind up sleeping in public places; Floridians stuck in a health insurance coverage gap are turning to voters for help; A new Florida law pulls the plug on local bodies that deal with ethics violations by government officials; As debate continues about a ban on the social media site TikTok, it seems not everyone – even among young people – is necessarily a big fan; Is synthetic meat a powerful tool in the fight against hunger, or is it a threat to our traditional way of life?; And Certain Florida destinations love tourists EXCEPT for the ones who come during spring break.
On tonight's program: As the judicial system puts the brakes on Florida’s “Stop Woke Act,” Governor DeSantis insists the whole thing was taken out of context; Some institutions, however, including the state’s flagship university, are keeping at least some of the “anti-woke agenda” in place; During recent arguments on abortion before the state supreme court the chief justice has brought up the idea of fetal personhood; Governor DeSantis signs into law a bill to prevent undocumented immigrants from using local IDs to misrepresent their immigration status; State lawmakers kept up their drive to take more and more authority from local governments during the session that just ended; Florida's money managers are making plans to drop China-owned investments; And a proposed state land purchase has some residents of a rural North Florida county upset.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s 2024 Lawmaking Session comes to an end with the hope one result would be an increase in much needed health care personnel; This year’s session enacted a few serious reforms in such arenas as the Baker Act; Despite some protests, civilian run police oversight boards have been defanged by the Florida Legislature; At least one bill that got passed went through so many changes that everyone wound up liking it; Hemp stores around Florida may lose business under new legislation; Stores that sell vaping products could also be hard hit if the governor signs an anti-vaping bill; And last year, Governor DeSantis had all the clout when it came to getting things done in the Legislature. THIS year, a veteran Capital Reporter opines the power player was probably Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
On tonight's program: Florida public schools will get a break when it comes to certain regulations as a result of several bills now headed to the governor's desk; More reliable funding for epilepsy services are now included in the new state budget; The Florida Legislature has passed a measure setting up designated mental health care teaching hospitals to help meet a troubling service provider shortage; The Florida Senate has declined to confirm Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Deschovitz to the Florida Ethics Commission; And be polite to first responders or else! The Florida Legislature passes a bill that makes mouthing off to those folks a felony.
On tonight’s program: After much debate – and even a gubernatorial veto – Florida lawmakers have a modified version of a bill to restrict kids under the age of 14 from access to online social media platforms; Controversy continues over a measure that prohibits sleeping or camping on public property, except in special areas designated by and paid for municipalities; The Florida Board of Education would likely be tasked with developing an anti-communism curriculum for public school students from kindergarten to senior high school; And revenue from the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida would help pay for environmental improvement projects under a bill now headed to the governor.
On tonight’s program: The Florida House and Senate have agreed on a single budget document worth around $117.5 billion, meaning lawmakers will be able to adjourn the 2024 Session on time Friday; Daylight remains between House and Senate on a bill to pre-empt local government authority to mandate water breaks for contract employees during hot weather; The Senate was expected today to approve a bill to ban sleeping in public places and require local governments to provide secure spaces with various amenities for unhoused people; And the initial legal showdown between Florida State University and the Atlantic Coast Conference is now on the calendar.
On tonight’s program: After Gov. DeSantis vetoed the most recent version of a bill restricting the access of younger teens to social media sites, lawmakers have come up with a compromise they hope will pass gubernatorial muster; The Florida House has passed a bill that bans undocumented immigrants from obtaining any type of official state identification card; And unanimously, the Florida Legislature has approved restitution for the surviving victims of the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.
On tonight's program: Governor DeSantis vetoes the controversial bill that would have restricted social media access for kids; What to do about unhoused people? The question has been inflaming passions on all sides in the Florida Capitol; There are more attempts by state lawmakers to take control over what have been local government decisions; We have an expanded story on how the suspension of local heat protections for workers might have serious consequences; A veteran capital reporter gives his take on this year’s legislative session; And the Florida House has passed a compensation bill for victims of the former Dozier School for Boys.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers continue their closed door talks to finalize a controversial bill limiting social media access for young people; Both sides of the Florida Capitol are behind legislation banning outdoor camping or sleeping by the unhoused, EXCEPT in special areas provided and serviced by municipal governments; A new program would help Florida’s high school dropouts secure a subsidized college education; And the Florida House passes a compensation bill for those who suffered abuse at Marianna’s Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.
On tonight’s program: It now appears Florida is unlikely to adopt any measure similar to Alabama’s, which counts embryos as “children”; Florida public schools would have less regulation under terms of several bills that now have bipartisan support; Civilian police review boards are still on the legislative chopping block; Even though there may not be enough time to enact new restrictions impacting LGBTQ people in Florida, opponents still held a protest outside the Capitol; And political ads involving artificial intelligence would have to disclose that fact under a bill that’s cleared the House.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers spent much of today awaiting an expected veto by Governor DeSantis of the bill limiting youthful access to online social media platforms; A measure upping penalties for minors convicted of gun-related crimes has cleared the House and now heads to a full Senate vote; It may take a while to reconcile the House and Senate versions, but both chambers are at least philosophically agreed to limiting Florida county commissioner terms to no more than 8 years; And the Florida House is about to act on a measure increasing educational and job opportunities for the state’s military veterans.
On tonight’s program: It appears a bill conferring full legal personhood on fetuses will not pass this legislative session; Parental choice may be blended into a bill allowing older teens to work more hours than current law allows; Not everyone is enamored with the idea of religious chaplains filling the role of trained mental health counselors in Florida schools; The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today about laws in Florida and Texas that ban social media platforms from censoring adult speech; And Governor DeSantis is adding millions of dollars into a fund that helps hurricane victims.
On tonight’s program: Budget talks between the Florida House and Senate are expected to start on Monday; Governor DeSantis dispatches another batch of Florida military and law enforcement personnel to the U.S. border with Mexico; Despite fits, starts and possible legal pitfalls, social media restrictions for younger kids is headed to Governor DeSantis’s desk; After some tweaks in the Florida Senate, a bill allowing property owners to shoot bears that trespass and pose a threat is heading back to the House; While some lawmakers argue Florida should stop offering services that might attract undocumented immigrants to the state, other say the state should welcome them with open arms; It may be 3 months until the official start of the 2024 hurricane season, but the Accuweather folks are already predicting it’ll be a doozy; Left lane lingering on certain higher-speed roads will become illegal in Florida if a bill headed to Governor DeSantis becomes law; Even though college enrollment is very commonplace today, there are still instances where an individual is the first in their family to seek a higher education; And some University of South Florida students are laboring in the political trenches in advance of this Saturday’s South Carolina Primary Election.
On tonight’s program: The Florida Senate approves social media restrictions for kids under the age of 16; Florida’s Live Healthy plan, a top priority for Senate President Passidomo, is headed for Governor DeSantis’s desk; The Florida House is set to take up a bill banning local governments from enacting any ordinances impacting contractor pay or working conditions; And the full Florida Senate is expected to pass a bill creating a new legal holiday in commemoration of the Tuskegee Airmen.
On tonight’s program: A proposal, now ready to go to the full House, would add “unborn child” to a law that allows family members to seek damages when a person's death is caused by such things as wrongful acts or negligence; An effort to make it easier to sue journalists and bloggers for defamation is now heading to the House floor; The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted to approve a bill that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other types of long guns from 21 to 18; A controversial proposal to bring back primary election runoffs has been temporarily postponed just days after being filed; And Florida A&M University officials are pushing their funding priorities for the new school year.
On tonight’s program: Dueling demonstrations take place outside the Florida Supreme Court as the justices begin considering the state’s new abortion law; When underage drinking results in a death, is the responsible party the young drinker or the bar that illegally served them?; Governor DeSantis’s visit to Jacksonville this week following a fatal shooting did not exactly go as planned; Florida’s Madison County isn’t considered coastal. But that doesn’t mean it’s immune from hurricane damage. Luckily, a lot of people are helping get things back to normal; Hurricane Idalia recovery continues as the small businesses in Steinhatchee struggle to get back up and running; A potential threat to North Florida’s vast underground springs has some residents pushing for the state to take over more of the land that sits atop those springs; And officials in Key West are considering naming the city’s airport after the late Jimmy Buffett and we explore the historic connection between Buffet and former Florida Governor Bob Graham.
On tonight’s program: Voting rights advocates say they’re feeling cautiously hopeful after a court hearing on Florida’s congressional district maps. Opponents say the current maps violate the state constitution; Advocates want the state to take a break on removing people from its Medicaid rolls as thousands of recipients are losing health coverage because of confusion, not because they don’t qualify; New rules are now in place for how parents can challenge books in classrooms and school libraries; After lawmakers passed a slate of laws this session that target the LGBTQ+ community, some families are leaving the state; Florida’s new immigration law is putting added stress on students with undocumented family members; Officials say Florida hurricanes are getting wetter and are leading to greater concerns about the impact mold exposure can have on health; And Florida’s controlled burn program helps prevent wildfires like the deadly fire that devastated Hawaii earlier this month.
On tonight’s program: Florida public schools have staff shortages. But what that number is depends on who you ask; Could a lost Florida congressional district make a reappearance before next year’s election?; College life is stressful. So more schools are putting resources in place to help troubled students cope and succeed; How do you tell the world about the outstanding academics at Florida’s colleges and universities?; Florida’s July unemployment rate is up just slightly from June; And inflation isn’t only for consumer goods. The cost of money is going up, too.
On tonight's program: As the kids head back to Florida’s classrooms, it seems there are a lot fewer teachers to welcome them; Some college and university student groups may have to change their names because of Florida’s new rules against diversity, equity and inclusion; Women are struggling to access healthcare during and after pregnancy; Florida has a new requirement that hospitals check the citizenship status of patients. Supporters say it will reduce the burden on taxpayers for treating undocumented persons; A new hi-tech way to carjack is catching on in Florida; Governor DeSantis suspends another state attorney; And conditions are becoming unbearable inside Florida prisons that lack air conditioning.
On tonight’s program: Florida has always been about real estate. Except now, there’s a restriction on property sales to people from one specific country; Pushback against Florida’s new African-American History guidelines is coming from teachers, some state lawmakers and even from the vice president of the United States; Florida’s campaign against environment, social and governance when it comes to consumer products and investing may not be working out as intended by state policy makers; Super-heated sea water is bleaching the coral formations offshore of the Florida Keys; A proposed gas station atop Wakulla County’s delicate underground spring system is drawing fierce opposition; Most folks think of algae blooms as a bad thing. But it appears they may also be very useful in certain situations; And we get a preview of a new book about the Sunshine State.
On tonight's program: You may have heard about a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion access, but there’s also a proposal that would ban abortion in most cases; Pushback regarding Florida’s new African American History standards hits a new crescendo; Faced with dwindling numbers, Florida Democrats are stepping up their efforts to stay politically relevant; It seems not every energy source claiming to be sustainable truly is; New immigration laws in Florida are persuading a growing number of immigrants to leave the state; And three-quarters of a century ago, the United States did away with segregation in the nation’s armed forces and civilian federal workforce.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s new immigration law is being considered in federal court; Anti-discrimination advocates are pushing back against a new state law that bans many Chinese people from buying property in Florida...; A Florida researcher talks about what she found when she looked into the impact of fossil fuel energy companies on Florida utility policy; Soaring temperatures are proving deadly to children left in parked cars; We have an update on how new Florida laws are impacting the state’s convention and meeting trade; A Sarasota attorney is the newly-elected president of the Florida Bar; And we go angling for a fish that hasn’t exactly been the most popular among those who fish for sport.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s property insurance market gets even more turbulent; But there may be a glimmer of light in the darkness of the property insurance tunnel; The regional Federal Reserve president talks interest rates and inflation in Florida; Nearly half a billion dollars for broadband expansion has been awarded across Florida this year, and more federal funding is on its way; More than 100 Floridians recently walked across the stage at Camp Blanding, signifying their completion of the state’s newly revived State Guard boot camp; And maternal mortality is rising—especially for minority groups.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s new LGBTQ+ laws have some people questioning their own existence; Restrictions on public school discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity remains a deeply divisive issue in Florida; Some Florida university faculty say the state’s new restrictions on so-called “wokeness” are causing them to look elsewhere for employment; New Florida laws are convincing some convention and meeting clients to take their business to other states; A growing number of prescription medications are becoming tougher – if not impossible – to obtain; How can caregivers of those with dementia help them make it through disasters like hurricanes?; After one positive test, state wildlife officials say they’re working to understand the spread of chronic wasting disease, an illness that attacks deer; New regulations intended to protect endangered whales may be doing more harm than good; Pit bull owners will have reason to celebrate this fall when a new state law puts an end to all local breed restrictions...
On tonight’s program: Florida educators say new legislation is driving them out of the school system; Florida teachers unions are also under siege as the result of newly-passed legislation; Abortion access advocates say they remain hopeful as they work to gather enough petitions to put the right to abortion on the ballot; As an anti-immigration law goes into effect, opponents march on Florida’s capitol; Wonder of wonders, medical marijuana issues attract bi-partisan support in the Florida Legislature; And we listen in as two kindred spirits discuss gender and identity.
On tonight’s program: Advocates of transgender rights are celebrating a federal court ruling that struck down a state ban on Medicaid coverage of gender affirming care; A year after the Dobbs decision, bitterness still lingers; Civil rights advocates tour the state in an effort to raise awareness of recent policies they say are harmful...; What advocates say are legislative attacks on racial justice and equity have moved an upcoming statewide conference on those topics to Tallahassee; After years of shedding customers, Florida’s insurer of last resort is growing again, much to the distress of those who’ve been trying to get more policyholders back into the commercial insurance market; We visit a center that helps counsel immigrants amidst the new changes in state law; And Florida’s new State Guard is getting a home to call its own.
On tonight's program: DeSantis signed the budget Thursday. He says it includes money to push environmental cleanup projects forward; A recent U-S Supreme Court decision striking down Alabama's racially-gerrymandered congressional map might not directly affect challenges to Florida's map, but it's still considered a win for voting rights advocates; And Duane Owen died for his crimes Thursday night -- nearly four decades after he committed them. One of his victims' sisters says that's unacceptable.
On tonight’s program: After a federal judge blocked Florida’s bans on gender affirming care for kids some are questioning what drove those rules in the first place; A potential conflict of interest muddies the waters on the Florida Supreme Court’s consideration of abortion restriction; As school book restrictions multiply, some schools and teachers in Florida are backing the “freedom to read”; Hate groups are on the rise in Florida; Florida is adopting a more interconnected approach to fighting human trafficking; Florida’s rural counties may be seeing more infrastructure, thanks to state lawmaker; A former Democratic presidential hopeful is launching a third political party with a different kind of focus; Florida’s foster care laws and regulations can be confusing. But help is on the way; And we cut through the confusion when it comes to weather advisories from one of the best in the business.
On tonight's program: Florida’s restrictive new immigration statutes are causing distress, even among some immigrants with full legal status; A push to enshrine abortion rights in Florida’s constitution is underway. But even supporters admit it won’t be easy; Florida’s first openly gay state senator says this year’s Pride Month observance is particularly important; Some members of the LGBTQ+ community are taking self-defense courses in the wake of state laws they fear will make them even more of a target for violence; Florida A&M University is waging a legal battle against what it says is unfair treatment by the State of Florida; The good news, forecasters say there may be fewer hurricanes this year than the recent past. The bad news, it may not matter if even one big storm hits Florida; As another hurricane season gets underway, one part of Florida is still recovering from last year. And residents there are growing weary; And two sea animals rescued after being affected by red tide off Florida's west coast are now back in the Gulf.
On tonight’s program: As Florida heads into Summer several civil rights groups are urging some tourists to beware of the Sunshine State…;Florida Environmentalists are blasting a new law they say will further exacerbate sprawl. But supporters say its meant to curb frivolous lawsuits against local governments; Governor Ron DeSantis hopes to return to Washington D.C…. as president; As the state cracks down on gender-affirming care for minors some adults say they’re now having problems accessing their treatments; Florida’s doubling down on parental rights but what about those who want kids to be free to read what they want?; And the Memorial Day weekend is upon us featuring the nation’s oldest music festival.
On tonight's program: The battle over what can and can’t be taught in Florida’s institutions of higher learning rages on; The argument in favor of many measures targeting the LGBTQ+ community is that they’re intended to protect kids, but, limitations for adults frequently follow close behind; Measures to reduce human trafficking of all kinds in Florida are now officially on the books; New immigration laws in Florida spark objections, but to little avail; An influx of students from other lands is boosting enrollments in Florida’s largest school district; And wonder of wonders! The Florida Legislature passes and the Governor approves a bill that nearly everyone liked.
On tonight’s program: Under fire from Florida’s governor, a North Florida school superintendent is getting support from lots of folks in his district; Conscientious objection to certain treatments or care by health professionals is now enshrined in Florida law; A new military unit under the control of the Florida governor is raising some eyebrows as well as concerns. Although supporters say it’s needed; The head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce isn’t worried about any possible chilling effect on business recruitment because of the governor’s fight with a corporation called Disney. Even when help is available to make housing more affordable, it seems some folks have trouble using it; A famous Florida coastal community struggles to protect itself from the next devastating hurricane; And a longtime assumption that opinions about climate change are political may be changing.
On tonight’s program: The 2023 Florida Lawmaking Session is over. Lawmakers dropped the ceremonial hanky considerable earlier than usual; Florida lawmakers send two bills to the governor targeting Disney; Two of our pre-eminent capital reporters give their take on the session just past; Open government supporters have real concerns following this year’s lawmaking session; The federal trial of Andrew Gillum ends with exoneration on one account and a hung jury on the others; And there were plenty of protests during this session. But perhaps, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
On tonight’s program: The trial of Andrew Gillum and his business associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks is over. At least for now; Lawmakers say “nay” when it comes to gender-affirming care for kids; State government in Florida takes over even more duties from local governments; A measure cracking down on third-party drug prescription oversight firms is signed by the governor; And stricter measures against human trafficking clear the legislature.
On tonight’s program: Florida parents could have even more of a say over what’s in public school libraries as part of a expanded parental rights bill; Higher education programs are also under scrutiny from those who accuse the institutions of systemic “wokeness”; While supporters say a bill that protects conscientious objections for medical services bars discrimination, others warn that will be the result; Lawmakers pass a bill restricting how hemp products can be marketed in Florida; Florida governors would be able to fly – literally under the Sunshine Law radar – because of a bill now flying to the governor’s desk; And opponents fear a bill allowing coastal redevelopment could be a death knell for Miami Beach’s historic art deco district.
On tonight's program: The governor signs a bill targeting what’s known as ESG investments; Some trial defendants would be spared from deposition requirements under a bill heading to Governor DeSantis’s desk; The federal trial of former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is still in the hands of the jury; A bill is nearing passage that would require state inspectors, rather than Disney employees, to make sure the theme park’s iconic monorail system is safe; And current Florida state employees will likely see a pay hike. State retirees though, probably won’t.
On tonight’s program: We have a state budget. House and Senate leaders agree on a $116 billion spending plan; New voting rules seem assured to go into effect as a result of this year’s Florida lawmaking session; Will new limits on what can and can’t be discussed in Florida colleges and universities scare students – and valuable faculty members – away?; A bill that cleared the Senate and seems likely to pass the House authorizes school buses equipped with cameras to catch lawbreaking motorists; And local folks won’t have much to say about new development if a bill now racing through the legislature is successful.
On tonight’s program: A Florida public school superintendent says he’s become a political target for Governor DeSantis; Voting rights groups say Florida’s voter registration form is unlawful and inadequate; Florida’s LGBTQ residents are decrying a legislative session that they believe put a target on their backs; A bill allowing landlords to collect ongoing fees instead of one-time security deposits has its fans, as well as opponents; Florida leaders consider using a radioactive material in road construction (Alternate: The House approves a bill to study the potential of using radioactive material to build roads); And efforts are ramping up to save Florida’s manatees from starvation.
On tonight’s program: The Florida Senate tees up a bill cracking down on those who employ or help undocumented immigrants in Florida; Florida’s Community Action Agencies and their clients could have faced defunding this year. But it now looks like their federal funding, as authorized by the state, will continue; The defense rests in the federal trial of former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Gillum and his associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks; And cutting off access to TikTok and some other social media platforms could cut off some college athletes from a major revenue source.
On tonight's program: Everyone knew opening up Florida’s school voucher program would cost some money. But now the numbers are firming up and it’s looking like a LOT of money; Under present state law, Governor DeSantis will have to step down in order to run for president, if that’s what he wants to do. But state lawmakers are on the verge of letting him do both at the same time; After weeks of taking heat from Governor DeSantis, the Disney Company is firing back with a lawsuit; And after a House committee approved plans to subpoena two health organizations some question the motive.
Enterprise Florida may be on the chopping block as lawmakers look to recreate the Florida Department of Commerce; as drag queens rally outside the Capitol, inside the building, lawmakers move ahead with a bill that designates who gets to use which bathroom; Freedom of speech may be under fire in Tallahassee as lawmakers pass a number of bills that contain restrictions on what can and can’t be said in certain situations; and the Florida Legislature ponders what can be done to save the state’s iconic sea cows.
On tonight's program: New beginnings for Florida’s New College aren’t getting applause from everyone; Undocumented immigrants would be barred from admission to the Florida Bar under a bill working its way through the Legislature; And a South Florida librarian reacts to the controversy surrounding what books can and can’t be accessed by students.
On tonight’s program: Republican lawmakers are pushing more restrictions around voting; It seems Florida’s new abortion ban makes no allowances for possibly life-threatening mental health matters; Changes in test score requirements, coupled with instructional losses linked to COVID, could endanger graduation for a BUNCH of Florida high schoolers; The federal trial involving 2018 candidate for Florida governor Andrew Gillum continues in Tallahassee. We’ll have an on-the-scene report; A bill that would have limited the THC content of hemp products appears dead for this legislative session; Florida’s March jobless rate is the same as February’s; And a North Florida state attorney comes under fire as critics claim one of his offices is deliberately targeting Hispanic immigrants.
On tonight’s program: With the stroke of Governor DeSantis’s pen today, Florida now has the nation’s lowest threshold for juries to impose the death penalty; A tiny North Florida town has a big sewage problem. But the area’s newly-elected state senator is trying to solve it; And it was a rude awakening for millions of Florida residents in the pre-dawn hours this morning. We’ll explain what happened.
On tonight’s program: More bills opponents claim are anti-LGBTQ clear the Florida House; The Florida Board of Education okays an expansion of what topics are banned in fourth through twelfth grade classrooms, a decision that generated plenty of controversy; The Legislature considers further state controls on Disney’s Florida property; And our resident weather expert looks back on the historic supercell that nearly drowned Fort Lauderdale.
On tonight’s program: More measures that opponents claim unfairly target LGBTQ people have house hearings; Florida’s new restrictions on abortion are part of a national trend; Year-round school seems a coming thing in Florida; And lawmakers may have to address a glitch in low-income program funding.
On tonight’s program: It’s day one of the federal trial of former Florida Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum; Travel records of top state officials may be shielded from public scrutiny under a bill that seems destined to pass the Florida Legislature; And Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign to bring the Disney company into line continues.
On tonight’s program: Democrats worry a 6-week abortion ban will endanger pregnant people as they struggle to access abortion care, but the bill’s sponsor says the lives of mothers are protected; Controversy swirls over the COVID advice issued by Florida’s Surgeon General; After many years of trust fund sweeping and budget skimping, the Florida Legislature seems to finally see the importance of putting enough resources into affordable housing; A widely publicized uproar over a Michelangelo statue isn’t the only trouble plaguing a Florida charter school; Not every college or university student agrees that diversity and inclusion are positive concepts; Amidst uncertainty about the impact of new state policies, Florida’s only historically black state university, celebrates its special day at the Capitol; And Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville,” a staple of bar bands everywhere, is 50 years old.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s six week abortion ban clears the House. The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk; As lawmakers look at expanding parental rights in schools, a backlash is building; Tighter rules regarding public sector employee unions doesn’t get universal support from legislative Republicans; And Florida’s budget is almost a done deal, with the emphasis on the word “almost.”
On tonight’s program: What kind of history can be taught in Florida schools? The answer may depend on who you ask; A bill to stop credit card companies from tracking gun sales is closer to passage; Lawmakers look to toughen penalties for gun criminals and other violent offenders; And lawmakers and others are responding to a statement one Republican House member made earlier this week against members of the LGBTQ community.
On tonight’s program: The all-important Florida budget is taking shape as House and Senate members start bringing their separate versions into agreement; Florida lawmakers debate still more changes to the state’s elections laws; And a pointed attack by a Florida lawmaker on the LGBTQ community draws criticism from multiple sides.
On tonight’s program: Florida Republicans want to protect monuments from destruction and removal, regardless of who they offend; Florida’s veterans are weighing in on the state’s new permitless carry law; And a bid to protect users internet privacy is back, and so are the opposition ads.
On tonight’s program: Inside and outside the Capitol, there was impassioned debate and protests this week over Florida’s proposed six-week abortion bill; Some say it’s too much, others say it’s not enough. But few people think Florida’s new concealed carry law is a good thing; As state lawmakers assert more and more authority, local governments in Florida are pushing back; Florida’s first Generation Z member of congress has some thoughts about what’s going on in the Florida Legislature; TikTok becomes a no-no at a growing number of Florida institutions of higher learning. Some students are ahead of that curve; The mother of a transgender daughter wonders why some people in the Florida Legislature are so focused on her child; And lawmakers move to give teen students a few more winks before they have to get up and go to school.
On tonight’s program: More changes seem certain for Florida’s election laws; Local ordinances regulating landlord-tenant matters would be scrapped under a measure now being considered by state lawmakers; And Florida lawmakers consider more online privacy protections for young people.
On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers target the so-called “bad actors” in the state’s insurance market; Local government officials decry the latest moves by the state legislature to pre-empt local control; Amidst a rash of purloined platinum, the Florida Senate passes a bill ramping up penalties for catalytic converter theft; And forgotten African-American cemeteries in Florida may be restored under a bill now working its way through the Florida House.
On tonight’s program: Within 24 hours of filing, sweeping changes to Florida’s voting laws hits the legislature; A Monday evening protest outside Tallahassee City Hall ends with several arrests, including the Florida Senate Minority Leader and chair of the state’s Democratic Party; And Florida lawmakers may give themselves more power in a public health emergency.
On tonight’s program: Tense times in the Florida Senate today as a six-week abortion ban is passed; Just days after passage by lawmakers, Governor DeSantis signs the permitless concealed carry bill into law; And it seems the governor’s effort to punish Disney for opposing some of his policies may not have worked as intended.
On tonight’s program: A move to ban nearly all abortions after 6 weeks is raising alarms; Florida now has greatly expanded school choice. We discuss which students are most likely to benefit; Florida seems poised to add a lot more affordable housing to what’s been a shrinking stockpile; The Florida Legislature tries again to get alimony changes across the finish line; Lawmakers are also giving another go to exempting infant diapers – and now adult incontinence products – from the state’s sales tax; And Medicaid coverage runs out for many Floridians this weekend. And keeping that coverage in force is easier said than done.
On tonight’s program: The state Senate passes the bill allowing people to conceal carry firearms without a permit in Florida; Another so-called “bathroom bill” is back before Florida lawmakers; And time could be running out for Florida’s public-private partnership entities such as Enterprise Florida.
On tonight’s program: With passage of a 6-week abortion ban in Florida ever more likely, opponents have launched a last-ditch effort to defeat the measure; A protest in Tallahassee rails against many of the legislature’s priorities; A state lawmaker makes the case that medical marijuana and hemp products are totally different; The size of Tallahassee’s State Capital Complex could be getting bigger; And the state Senate takes up a major priority of House Speaker Paul Renner to prevent government investments based on anything but rate-of-return.
On tonight’s program: A 6-week abortion limit is headed to the Senate floor; All of Florida’s local elected officials could be subject to voter recall if that idea makes it through the legislature; Medicaid will end Saturday for more than one million Floridians. Democrats in the Legislature are urging Governor DeSantis to not let that happen; And both chambers will soon consider later start times for Florida public schools.
On tonight’s program: Latino clerics from across Florida come to Tallahassee, begging lawmakers to reject a bill criminalizing those who help undocumented immigrants; Come July 1st, expanded school vouchers take effect in Florida; It looks likely that Florida voters will decide next year whether to adopt a constitutional amendment making all school board races partisan; Hospital workers, and especially nurses, face violent attacks on the job; And a bill creating an official remembrance day for the Holocaust is working its way through the Florida Legislature.
On tonight’s program: Carrying firearms without a permit in Florida will not mean open carry. And some folks are just fine with that; The death penalty is on the table for those who commit sex crimes against children; Tort reform gets the green light in Florida, much to the delight of businesses and their advocates. For trial attorneys and consumer rights people, not so much; Should Drag Queen events be limited to adults only? Who decides what’s appropriate for kids?; An affordable housing bill makes the legislative cut; University of Florida researchers warn rising seas will mean moving day for an ever-growing number of state residents; And Florida needs more nurses, so the push is on for more nurse training programs to meet that need.
On tonight’s program: Two of Governor DeSantis’s priorities – limits on business lawsuits and universal school voucher expansion – clear all legislative hurdles and are headed to his desk; The expansion of restrictions on classroom discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation will go all the way to the 12th grade by means of administrative action by Governor DeSantis; But that expansion is sparking concern and even fear among members of the state’s LGBTQ community and their supporters.
On tonight’s program: Florida students rally at the Capitol in support of clean energy; Unanimous jury decisions for the imposition of the death penalty in Florida may no longer be required under a legislative proposal that cleared a key Senate panel today; And mail order tooth straighteners may not do the job, so Florida lawmakers may try to straighten things out.
On tonight’s program: It seems the Florida Legislature’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education is by no means an outlier among states; Florida crime victims could soon be getting additional relief from state lawmakers; Electric vehicle owners in Florida may soon pay their own version of a gas tax; And lawmakers say a move to let CNAs get added training to dispense medication could help both patients and their careers.
On tonight’s program: Opponents of a bill put more oversight in place for local ordinances say it lets one person stop a project the rest of the community might support; Term limits for Florida’s county school board members seem a near certainty; And a dispute over what kind of signature is needed for legal voting in Florida heads to court.
On tonight’s program: While supporters say a ban on gender affirming care for kids keeps them safe, others argue it puts them in danger; Florida’s largest teachers’ union is insisting a shelf of books in a classroom shouldn’t be considered a “school library” for purposes of potential book banning; Several other major education bills whizzed through the Florida House today; Florida's Republican legislature is again taking aim at public employee unions; More local ordinances could run afoul of state law under new pre-emption measures state lawmakers are considering; A popular social media app is targeted for deletion in government devices in Florida; And a tireless Florida advocate for the downtrodden and disadvantaged passes from the scene.
On tonight’s program: A doctor warns a proposed 6-week abortion ban will be “devastating” for the care of Florida’s pregnant women; Legislation that would lower the minimum age to buy a rifle from 21 to 18 is bringing back memories of the Parkland school shooting...; The cost of universal school vouchers in Florida remains an open question; And a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty would be reduced to a simple jury majority vote under a bill considered by a House panel today.
On tonight’s program: The bill combining permitless carry of firearms and school safety raises the hackles of Democrats in the legislature; Proposed higher education reform would NOT ban specific courses, minority Greek organizations or Historically Black institutions under a revamped state senate bill; A bill that limits what pronouns teachers can use for their students is raising concerns for parents of transgender children; A book giveaway at the Capitol stands in opposition to new restrictions on classroom reading guidelines; And further restrictions on undocumented immigration are moving quickly through the Florida Legislature.
On tonight’s program: Big change could be coming for the American history courses offered in Florida’s state colleges and universities; A bill making gender affirming care for minors against the law is working its way through the lawmaking process; Legislation banning any kind of “age inappropriate” sex instruction in public schools could extend through high school; Opponents warn a measure making it easier to sue the news media could come back to bite its supporters; And a teenager’s death spurs legislation to boost safety on amusement rides.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis sets his sights on stripping diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the state’s colleges and universities; We hear the thoughts of some public school teachers about proposed changes to what can and can’t be taught; And we get the latest Florida jobs numbers.
On tonight’s program: The Parkland shooting prompts proposed changes to Florida’s death penalty law; Florida drops out of a multi-state voter registration database, meant to flag folks who cast ballots in more than one state. And that move has its critics; Governor DeSantis says the state’s water quality is rebounding. But even some Florida lawmakers say the situation may be a bit less rosy than it’s being portrayed; A plan to regulate kratom use in Florida is moving through House and Senate committees with unanimous support...;Sweeping tort reform seems to have a better chance in Florida now than it has in the past, mainly because of judicial appointments made by Governor DeSantis; And Florida’s proposed limits on gender-affirming care for young people has some sounding the alarm.
On tonight’s program: For years, Florida’s local school board races have been non-partisan affairs. Now it appears that’s going to change; A bill to change school start times – and give teenagers more sleep - passes its first committee…; A bipartisan plan to create more affordable housing has already cleared the Senate in the first week of regular session; And the bill allowing permitless carrying of firearms in Florida is moving ahead quickly
On tonight’s program: After years of false starts, supporters think this is the year major lawsuit reform will come to Florida; The concept of universal school vouchers is bumping into some unpleasant fiscal realities; A proposal to bring rural electric cooperatives that provide broadband under the authority of the state's Public Service Commission gets its first hearing....; And a high school athletics could fall under the control of the Florida governor’s office under a bill now being debated at the capitol.
On tonight’s program: Legislative leaders and the governor voice their priorities for the upcoming sixty day session; An even more restrictive abortion bill than the one now before the state supreme court hits the hopper; And the governor applauds recent restrictions on gender affirming therapies in Florida.
On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers appear ready to consider some sweeping changes that could run afoul of First Amendment guarantees. Although its supporters insist that’s not the idea at all; Governor DeSantis takes aim at environmentally and socially conscious investing; Florida school board races would become partisan contests under a bill lawmakers will consider during the upcoming session. But the proposal isn’t getting universal applause; A father of six talks about how a private school scholarship has benefited his dyslexic son; Florida lawmakers appear determined to further restrict the autonomy of local governments during the upcoming session; Governor DeSantis’s immigration policies are receiving pushback from undocumented students whose parents brought them to Florida as small children; And as more international refugees come to Florida, a clinic in Tampa is helping link them to the medical and psychological help that would be otherwise unavailable to them.
On tonight’s program: It appears Florida gunowners soon won’t need a permit for concealed carry of firearms. Although there are still some who say the proposal doesn’t go far enough; As Florida moves toward universal education vouchers, how much will this cost? It depends on who you ask; A mental health expert talks about how social media is affecting children; We have a story montage about the teaching of Black History in Florida; And Florida says goodbye to the last statewide growth manager who often ran afoul of those who wanted to build developments with little or no oversight
On tonight’s program: Activists and Democrats are pushing back on a DeSantis administration push to block gender affirming care for transgender kids; Florida Democrats are still trying to figure out how to bounce back from the drubbing the party’s candidates took in the 2020 election. And the leadership competition is heating up; Florida marks the fifth anniversary of a terrible tragedy: the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; Who provides healthcare coverage for most Florida kids? We’ll give you a hint: it’s NOT private health insurance; You’ve probably heard of “microfibers.” But how about “microforest?” It seems something that even kids find exciting; And after so much bad news about Florida’s manatees for so long, there may be a glimmer of light on the horizon.
On tonight’s program: The Florida Legislature wraps up a week-long special session. Among the accomplishments, a change in governance for Disney’s Central Florida property. Although the governor insists taxpayers won’t foot the bill; Lawmakers loosen the rules for concealed carry of firearms in Florida. Although not every Second Amendment fan is happy with the outcome; A statewide prosecutor may now have more muscle to go after alleged voter fraud under a measure that passed special session muster this week, although some lawmakers wondered if the state’s original voting fraud charges were even legit; Florida changes its law on how collegiate athletes can profit from the use of their name, image and likeness; Information about student athlete’s menstrual cycles will remain private in Florida. Although some say that information is actually important to have; Amidst a surge of anti-Semitic activities in Florida, the legislature advances new prohibitions and penalties; And the push continues to make health care more affordable and accessible for many of Florida’s most vulnerable residents.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers will be back in Tallahassee on Monday. One item on their agenda, Governor DeSantis’s proposed takeover of the Magic Kingdom; Will a massive expansion of Florida’s school vouchers essentially defund and depopulate the state’s traditional public schools?; A measure doing away with the need for a state-issued concealed weapons permit seems teed up for near certain legislative passage, even though public opinion seems stacked against the proposal; Governor DeSantis’s new budget proposal contains lots of federal stimulus money. U.S. Senator Rick Scott wants it returned, but the governor says that’s not happening; We hear from Andrew Warren, the Hillsborough County Prosecutor suspended by Governor DeSantis; Hurricane experts conclude storms are getting worse. If you have any doubt, consider Hurricane Ian; Despite some changes following an initial rejection by the State of Florida, an advanced placement Black History course continues to draw criticism; And despite all the uncertainty about what can and can’t be said about race in Florida’s public schools, teachers are still determined to teach those lessons
On tonight’s program: A universal school voucher system for Florida is gaining traction among lawmakers. Although some worry it may not do everything for everybody; Florida’s rejection of an advanced placement course in African American studies is bringing threats of a lawsuit; Governor DeSantis is pushing for all of the state’s school board races to become partisan affairs; A noted education reporter shares her insights on what other school matters Florida lawmakers may take on during the upcoming session; And suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren still doesn’t have his job back, even though a federal judge determined Governor DeSantis broke the law by removing Warren from office.
On tonight’s program: A universal school voucher plan for Florida is becoming a flashpoint of controversy; More changes to Florida voting laws may be on the way. That’s something at least one local elections official thinks is not a good idea; We bring you the latest on a local government corruption probe in Bay County; Florida’s governor aims to rein in the practices of pharmacy benefit management companies. Small, independent drug stores are all in favor, saying those companies have just gotten too big and powerful; The needs of women military veterans is finally getting some recognition; And an upcoming event will focus on the genocide now taking place on the other side of the world.
On tonight’s program: The death of an unhoused women in Tallahassee gives a face to the issue of homelessness; Could Governor DeSantis engineer a new direction for New College of Florida?; Florida’s most recent catastrophic storms could mean Hurricane Andrew-style building code changes; Scientists are learning just how interconnected Florida’s oceans of underground fresh water really are; What does it mean to be a real “Floridian?”; And the site of the first school for Black children in Central Florida is vacant today. But there are those who want to see the memory preserved for future generations.
On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis sets out his priorities during his inaugural speech, much to the delight of his supporters and distress of his opponents; Among the governor’s aims, stripping all traces of so-called “wokeness” from Florida’s institutions of higher education; Newly enacted education policy in Florida is bumping up against at least some of the state’s older education policies; The only non-Republican on the Florida Cabinet, Nikki Fried, considers her next life chapter now that she’s out of office; And a Key West institution, the city’s longest-performing drag queen, is calling it quits.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s economy bounced back during 2022. Then why are so jobs in the state still going unfilled?; On the heels of some new Florida laws regarding what should and shouldn’t be taught in public schools, a growing number of teachers are calling it quits; While Democrats nationwide managed to avoid a bloodbath in this year’s mid-term election, the same did not hold true in Florida; If seems a major factor in Florida’s Democratic election losses was how many African-Americans simply didn’t vote; And where does all the crazy stuff we see on the Internet come from? Sometimes, it comes from US!
On tonight’s program: There’s a spirited – some might even call it knock-down-drag-out – battle over leadership of the Republican Party in Florida. But the common goal of the two combatants is political domination at all levels of government; Florida’s murky policies regarding LGBTQ young people, although not yet in effect, are already having repercussions; We get a really detailed look at what Florida lawmakers did during their lightning-fast special session last week; A noted author interviews dozens of Floridians to produce his chronicle of Cuban migration to the state; And one Florida town has come up with a bright idea when it comes to keeping traffic signals working during power outages.
On tonight’s program: A special session to repair Florida’s faltering property insurance market is over. Not everyone is happy with the outcome; There’s a new federal law regarding same sex marriage that runs counter to an old Florida law that’s still on the books. What are the chances state lawmakers will do a repeal?; The governor seeks a grand jury probe into possible wrongdoing surrounding COVID-19 vaccines; Too many Latino voters in Florida believe Democrats are too liberal and even socialist. Party organizers say that’s putting the “Ds” at a disadvantage; A new wave of Cuban immigrants is landing in Florida; And more U.S. kids now have health insurance. But that doesn’t mean they’ll keep it.
On tonight’s program: Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate has some thoughts on what state lawmakers can do to help drive down property insurance rates when they meet next week...; Florida’s Marsy’s Law was meant to shield the identities of crime victims. But does that also apply to the police officers who respond to the crime?; The battle between Governor DeSantis and State Attorney Andrew Warren continues. In court; For too many residents, the concept of a holiday feast – or even day-to-day sustenance – remains elusive; Some victims of Hurricane Ian are turning debris into decorations; And a prominent scientist says the trail of Spanish Explorer Hernando De Soto took some unexpected turns after he and his men celebrated Christmas in Tallahassee 483 years ago.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers soon return to Tallahassee to tackle a potential property insurance meltdown. But will they be able to fix the problem?; Could the Florida Legislature move to further restrict abortion when lawmakers gather in 2023? Some people believe they should; It would seem that citrus is no longer the most in-demand crop in the state of Florida; We embark on a unique fishing trip; trying to determine the lingering impact of 2010’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the species that inhabit the Gulf of Mexico; And it seems the traditional ways of Florida’s Seminole tribe are still finding resonance in a new generation.
On tonight’s program: Just in case Florida’s governor decides to run for president DESPITE the former President’s announcement this week, here’s some advice from someone who knows a lot about such things; What many had thought would be a national red wave of Republican victories didn’t happen in the November eighth election EXCEPT for one place. Guess where?; We discover that, while the overall Democratic voter turnout in Florida was bad, there was one particular voting block that stayed away in droves; Some residents in hurricane-ravaged Southwest Florida worry a federal rule may make rebuilding their homes impossible; A concerted effort to reduce the plastic waste associated with holiday gifting is beginning to bear fruit in Florida; And even as Southwest Florida rebuilds in the wake of Hurricane Ian, good people are banding together so that the storm-tossed residents can still enjoy a bountiful holiday.
On tonight’s program: Republicans take the whole enchilada across Florida in this week’s election, much to the chagrin and even despair of beleaguered Democrats; In fact, Florida’s Democratic leaders are still shaking their heads and mumbling: “Did anyone get the license number of that Republican truck that ran us over?; Even the area long considered the “bluest” in Florida will soon be represented in both the Florida Senate and the U.S. Congress by Republicans; Even though the election is over, Florida’s election laws remain. And at least one of these seems to be having an impact well beyond the state’s borders; New Yorkers know what rent control is. But, even as rent rates skyrocket in Florida, the idea of restricting rents in any way remains an alien concept; And a Hurricane called Nicole hit Florida yesterday, seemingly coming from out of nowhere.
On tonight’s program: The battle royale in the race for Florida governor heads into its final days and produces at least a few memorable debate moments; Besides political candidates, Florida voters next week will also decide a number of changes to the state constitution. Including one that would do away with one way the state constitution can be changed; A North Florida sheriff is using a 2021 law to appeal his new budget after he says the county didn’t give him enough funds, but commissioners say it doesn’t seem fair; Florida’s minimum wage is higher now than it was two years ago. But many workers still don’t receive what they should from their employers; A special program in South Florida to encourage more first-time homebuying isn’t working as its supporters intended; And We hear that not every story about those who care for loved ones afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease is unrelentingly tragic.
On tonight’s program: Hurricane Ian is focusing attention on the climate change policies of Florida’s two candidates for governor; For some hungry residents of storm-tossed Sanibel Island, food is coming in by air; Hurricane-damaged mobile homes remain the only shelter for many who found themselves in the path of the storm called Ian; The tragedy of Hurricane Ian has meant a permanent move for untold numbers of storm survivors, whether they want to or not; And it used to be that baseball was called “The Great American Pastime.” Has that title now been bestowed on pickleball??!!.
On tonight’s program: The deadly catastrophe that was Hurricane Ian continues to rock much of the Sunshine State; Storm recovery help is still coming from everywhere. Including Texas; Got insurance? It turns out too many of those hit by Hurricane Ian didn’t. Especially the variety that insures against flood damage; Backers of Florida’s restrictive new abortion were sure the numbers of those procedures would go down when the law took effect. But, for at least some providers, that hasn’t been the case; And we examine what could be a growing trend of political candidates sitting out debates and forums that they perceive to be unfriendly.
On tonight’s program: We hear from some of those who survived Hurricane Ian; Local firefighters work a storm recovery scene in Southwest Florida; The deadly catastrophe called Hurricane Ian was particularly tough on the people who are desperately needed to rebuild what was destroyed; Even as Florida recovers from Ian, one question is how the state’s electoral process can also be made more resilient; And the preservation of an historic home in Coconut Grove has divided neighbors, some of whom see that preservation as a threat to their rights.
On tonight’s program: What could be a major storm appears to be targeting the Sunshine State; Floridians – particularly lower-income Floridians – could be getting an even bigger savings in gas prices as the result of an upcoming state tax break; With all the controversy about immigration these days, what is the deal for all the Cuban immigrants coming to Florida? Do they still have any of the special protections they used to?; It seems Haitian immigrants have had particularly unfair treatment in the U-S, even when the President of the United States realized that unfairness; There’s a new chancellor heading up Florida’s state university system board of governors. He’s a former state lawmaker and we’ll hear from him; And we bring you a preview of a new podcast series about the powerful and persistent racial divides that have afflicted Florida’s Capital City for nearly two centuries.
On tonight’s program: What could be a major storm appears to be targeting the Sunshine State; Floridians – particularly lower-income Floridians – could be getting an even bigger savings in gas prices as the result of an upcoming state tax break; With all the controversy about immigration these days, what is the deal for all the Cuban immigrants coming to Florida? Do they still have any of the special protections they used to?; It seems Haitian immigrants have had particularly unfair treatment in the U-S, even when the President of the United States realized that unfairness; There’s a new chancellor heading up Florida’s state university system board of governors. He’s a former state lawmaker and we’ll hear from him; And we bring you a preview of a new podcast series about the powerful and persistent racial divides that have afflicted Florida’s Capital City for nearly two centuries.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis is coming under fire for ordering two planeloads of undocumented immigrants to be dropped off in Massachusetts. A move that some say could entitle them to stay in this country; Criticism of the governor’s immigrant flights is also coming from Florida’s Venezuelan community; We look ahead to next year’s Florida Legislative Session. And one of the issues lawmakers will almost certainly address is the state’s growing property insurance crisis; Much to everyone’s surprise, including the judge, the defense suddenly rests in the penalty phase of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz’s trial. But not before lots of details about his life are revealed, including his troubled childhood; As housing becomes an ever rarer commodity, housing fraud is on the rise in Florida; And a new federal rule is making hearing aids a lot more affordable for folks on Medicare. And it’s something a surprising number of folks really need.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis is coming under fire for ordering two planeloads of undocumented immigrants to be dropped off in Massachusetts. A move that some say could entitle them to stay in this country; Criticism of the governor’s immigrant flights is also coming from Florida’s Venezuelan community; We look ahead to next year’s Florida Legislative Session. And one of the issues lawmakers will almost certainly address is the state’s growing property insurance crisis; Much to everyone’s surprise, including the judge, the defense suddenly rests in the penalty phase of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz’s trial. But not before lots of details about his life are revealed, including his troubled childhood; As housing becomes an ever rarer commodity, housing fraud is on the rise in Florida; And a new federal rule is making hearing aids a lot more affordable for folks on Medicare. And it’s something a surprising number of folks really need.
On tonight’s program: We hear from voters on who they support in the race for Florida governor...; Does political rhetoric cause violence action? As turns out, it’s not that simple; The governor’s drive to inject more partisan politics into Florida’s education policy – especially at the local school board level – is bearing fruit as a result of last month’s elections; An effort to crack down on illegal voters runs into a snag when it turns out state government gave permission for at least some of those people to vote; And we give a listen to part of a new podcast series exploring America’s often complicated relations with many of its neighbor nations.
On tonight’s program: We hear from voters on who they support in the race for Florida governor...; Does political rhetoric cause violence action? As turns out, it’s not that simple; The governor’s drive to inject more partisan politics into Florida’s education policy – especially at the local school board level – is bearing fruit as a result of last month’s elections; An effort to crack down on illegal voters runs into a snag when it turns out state government gave permission for at least some of those people to vote; And we give a listen to part of a new podcast series exploring America’s often complicated relations with many of its neighbor nations.
On tonight’s program: The 2022 Florida Primary Election is officially “in the books” and, apparently, there were no real problems. At least, no IMMEDIATE problems!; It seems the way most of us look at elections nowadays depends on what political party we’re in; Last week, we heard from the Republican member of congress running for Florida’s newly-redrawn Second District. This week, it’s the Democrat’s turn; And despite the death and devastation wrought by the horrible hurricane that struck South Florida 30 years ago, it left one positive in its wake.
On tonight’s program: The 2022 Primary Election is history. We knew who the Republican pick for governor would be. The question was, who’d be the Democrat – and now that we know that answer – the next question is what happens next? ; The race for Florida Attorney General will be between incumbent Republican Ashley Moody and Democratic challenger Aramis Ayala; Two sitting members of Congress will square off against each other in November for a newly created North Florida district. We’ll speak with the Republican contender first….; The idea was to find out if Florida’s universities supported diverse viewpoints. But it turned out very few people took the survey that could have answered that question; And a dark anniversary in South Florida spawns some dark humor….
On tonight’s program: The Capital City’s local political campaigns are attracting unprecedented quantities of cash. Much of it of somewhat dubious origin; Some political hopefuls are using new and novel techniques to attract voter attention; We get the latest on what seems to be at least a temporary reversal for Governor DeSantis’s so-called “Anti-Woke” priority; While overall population continues to grow throughout Florida, some of the state’s school districts are actually seeing fewer students; And there’s a late-breaking report on what a South Florida grand jury has said regarding the management of Broward County’s schools.
On tonight’s program: Whoever wins the August 23rd G-O-P primary for House District 6 will fill outgoing Representative Jay Trumbull's seat; Florida is facing a massive shortage of school teachers and other school support staff. We’ll talk with a reporter who’s been following the situation; The death penalty trial for the Parkland school shooter continues; When the overall economy gets bad, business at pawn shops often gets good; And we meet a youthful Florida advocate against climate change.
On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis’s suspension of Hillsborough County’s state attorney brings strong reactions; Florida’s new restrictions on what can – and can’t – be taught in public school classrooms has ignited a firestorm of controversy, much of it in the teaching profession; We visit a candidate forum in Bay County where two “outsiders” are trying to get “inside” the Florida Capitol as state lawmakers. And the topics flew thick and fast; Although conventional wisdom seems to suggest Florida politics is getting dirtier, the question may be relative; Jurors in the trial of the Parkland High School shooter visit the scene of the crime; And we get the latest on Florida’s serious teacher shortage as the start of a new semester looms.
On tonight’s program: It’s not often that voters in one congressional district get to choose between two sitting members of Congress. But we found one. In fact, one of the incumbents once voted for the other; Although new state laws are prompting fear among some teachers about what should and shouldn’t be taught, a former South Florida educator is urging teachers to boldly go where they have gone before; The overturning of Roe v Wade continues to roil some in Florida, who fear the state’s constitutional privacy amendment may also be in jeopardy; Florida’s Hispanic residents are more concerned about the economy than the general population, according to a new survey from Florida Atlantic University; And one objection to electric vehicles – namely, the lack of charging stations – seems to be on the way to being overcome in Florida.
On tonight’s program: We hear from attendees at the Moms For Liberty national summit in Tampa; Federal funding for school meals is running out; The two Democrats fighting for their party’s nomination for Florida governor square off in their first – and only – televised debate; Despite recent efforts to reverse the trend, Florida is still suspending too many drivers’ licenses for violations that have nothing to do with unsafe driving; If you’re feeling down, you may want to call the Florida Warmline; And the City of Jacksonville isn’t just talking about how hot it is. Officials there say they’re actually doing something about it.
On tonight’s program: A group that’s struck fear into school boards across Florida meets in Orlando to plan its next move; With inflation at a 41-year high, a Florida economics professor explains why prices keep climbing; There are lots of do-it-yourself legal resources online. But the new president of the Florida Bar is urging caution when it comes to do-it-yourself lawyering; Advocates call for more autism training for crisis hotlines ahead of the launch of the 9-8-8 hotline; Two Tallahasseeans detail their time volunteering with the World Central Kitchen in support of Ukraine
On tonight’s program: Advocates for abortion access say patients and doctors are facing frustration and confusion as a lawsuit against Florida’s 15 week abortion ban moves forward; As news about restriction to abortion access has continued this week, protestors have raised their voices and taken to the streets; A doctor says she was removed from the Florida Healthy Kids board -- because of her statements about Covid vaccines for young children; Thousands of Florida families have shifted to home school since the pandemic started; And inflation hurts families by limiting their groceries. But it also hurts the food banks trying to make up the difference.
On tonight’s program: A fatal Fentanyl mass overdose event strikes a rural North Florida county; We hear from Florida Supervisors of Elections President Mark Earley about what he expects to see from the new state Office of Election Crimes and Security, which was recently created to investigate claims of voter fraud; Florida’s pharmacy benefit management companies will come under greater scrutiny in the wake of an executive order signed today by Governor DeSantis; Crisis pregnancy centers are thriving in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v Wade; Many schools are installing a new emergency alert system in case of a mass shooting threat; And residents fear an historic community of color may face obliteration from an extension of the Florida Turnpike.
On tonight’s program: The U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe V Wade today isn’t the only news about abortion in Florida; The Democrat who came within a hair’s breadth of the Florida Governor’s Mansion now faces multiple federal charges; Whatever happened to all the so-called “Blue Dog Democrats” that used to control so much of the state’s political landscape?; A flood of new federal spending is headed for the Florida Everglades; A sad anniversary in South Florida as people there recall the deadly collapse of a condominium in Surfside; And Florida’s first lady is recruiting to fill jobs at the Department of Children and Families.
On tonight’s program: Friday, June 17 was the final day of candidate qualifying in advance of Florida’s August 23rd Primary Election. We learn who made the cut, some of them at the last minute; Two North Florida incumbent U-S Representatives -- one Democrat and the other Republican -- are going head-to-head in the midterm elections to represent 14 counties in the Panhandle region...; Although now retired, one of the most interviewed political science professors in Florida still has some fascinating thoughts on the state’s present political cross-currents; At least one Florida School District Superintendent says a law’s vague language has scared a lot of teachers who are worried that they could be sued for saying the wrong thing; The governor has appointed a director for the new Florida State Guard; And Father’s Day weekend brings a new law in Florida to help encourage more fathers to be more involved in the lives of their kids.
On tonight’s program: A battle over gun policy at the local and state level goes to the Florida Supreme Court; The Florida official whose office vets and issues concealed carry permits has some thoughts about local gun oversight pre-emption; It seems Florida lawmakers will not be returning to Tallahassee for a special session to consider new restrictions on guns; Florida’s elementary school students are struggling when it comes to reading. A noted reading expert suggests online learning may actually be part of the solution; Not all reading materials may be permitted for Florida’s public school students in the wake of the state’s newly enacted guidelines on “appropriateness”; For years, many behavior problems in school were laid at the feet of attention deficit issues and students were prescribed medication to improve the situation. New research is suggesting that may have been a mistake; And we learn what the new state budget signed by Governor DeSantis might mean for the endangered Florida Everglades.
On tonight’s program: A North Florida school’s third graders wind up at the bottom of the state’s reading proficiency rankings. And some are blaming the outgoing charter school operators who were in charge; As expected, Florida’s new law restricting abortions is being litigated; By excusing itself from the battle, the Florida Supreme Court lets stand Governor DeSantis’s new congressional maps that did away with majority-minority electorates. Unlike the new districts; Does the supposed Democratic front runner in the Florida gubernatorial sweepstakes really have to debate his opponents?; For the first time, a Black woman is set to take the reigns of the Democratic leadership in the Florida House; And as South Florida falls under a tropical storm warning, we get a look at what the rest of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season may hold for the Sunshine State.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s special lawmaking session on propping up the state’s collapsing home insurance system is now history. What happened?; The Texas massacre of elementary school children enflames passions across the nation…including right here in Florida; Abortion remains a front-and-center issue at the Florida Capitol; Florida’s new secretary of state talks about recent election law changes. Including the one that creates a special “elections police force”; A nationally-known equal rights advocate says Florida has seen anti-gay laws before. But this time, there’s a difference; Educators start pushing back against a new Florida law that is already leading to some books being pulled from school libraries and classrooms; And we visit a Tampa home whose owner has brought in an expert to see in advance what threats a hurricane might pose to the property.
On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers return to the capitol Monday for a special session about the state’s troubled property insurance market; Legislative Democrats are trying to convince the Republican leadership that affordable housing should also be part of the special session and accusing the GOP of ignoring the matter during the regular session that ended in March; Florida faces a possible conflict between a new state law and an existing state constitutional amendment when it comes to the potential end of Roe v Wade; The on again-off again status of Governor DeSantis’ preferred map for Florida’s fifth congressional district is on. Again; And the two leading contenders for Florida governor slug it our from different sides of Broward County, the incumbent hoping to capitalize on his many recent legislative successes.
On tonight’s program: After a circuit judge rules against a newly redrawn Florida congressional district, that ruling is already being appealed by the state. That court will decide whether the circuit judge’s logic is sound; Florida’s higher starting salary for public school teachers is actually higher than what some experienced teachers are being paid. And that’s causing problems; A Florida Supreme Court vacancy means another judicial appointment coming up for Governor Ron DeSantis; A sudden lack of infant formula on store shelves has many new moms scrambling; Although Obamacare remains a popular source of healthcare coverage options, some uncertainties are looming; The Atlantic Basin may face another busy hurricane season, which begins in two weeks; And a new commander takes over during ceremonies at Key West’s Naval Air Station.
On tonight’s program: News that the U.S. Supreme Court may strike down Roe v Wade is roiling the nation and the state of Florida. We’ll have team coverage on what it all means; It seems the abortion issue isn’t only of interest to women of child-bearing age; What some are still calling a “hostile takeover” of Florida’s county health departments by state government awhile back is having some negative impacts on public health; Fewer Florida school children are getting their mandated vaccinations nowadays. It seems the COVID pandemic has made the words “vaccines” and “mandates” toxic; And we hear from some actual teachers in response to the question, “How’s your morale nowadays?”
On tonight’s program: State leaders say they wanted to address property insurance during the recent legislative session, they just couldn’t come to an agreement. Now, they’re preparing to try again; Several communities in the Panhandle could lose out on funding for local projects in this year's state budget if a government watchdog group gets its way...; There’s a new commissioner in charge of Florida’s Department of Education; Some higher education bills passed during this year’s session could wind up complicating life for those who run Florida’s colleges and universities; And Florida’s jobless numbers are low amid staffing shortages, giving workers unprecedented leverage.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers are getting ready to meet in Tallahassee this week to take up Governor Ron DeSantis' congressional map...; Besides redistricting, will Florida lawmakers also take on skyrocketing property insurance rates as more and more homeowners complain to those same lawmakers; Doctors worry about what will happen to patients who can’t needed abortion care in Florida; Just a week after Governor DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights Bill into law, some Florida teachers are already re-thinking their career choice and some students are feeling targeted; A Tallahassee man faces murder charges in the killing of the activist who was pivotal in the passage of the law allowing gay marriage in Florida; Expanded mental health resources are now available for vets in Southwest Florida; And state conservationists gather for a first-ever summit to protect and even expand Florida’s wildlife corridor.
On tonight’s program: Florida’s “Parental Rights Bill” may now be the law of the land, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune from opponents’ lawsuits; A North Florida parent, who at first seemed to understand her child’s gender issues, now insists their school is to blame; At least a few Florida lawmakers feel the Disney Company’s opposition to the new Parental Rights Law is egregious enough to repeal the law that has given the entertainment giant special status in the Sunshine State; Governor Ron DeSantis has given his okay to two new laws that will impact nursing home residents--including a change to how many hours of care residents must receive from certified nursing assistants; As the number of seniors with cognitive impairments keeps rising, the number of medical specialists who can help them is simply not keeping up; And Florida continues to fall short of its statewide recycling goals. One reason is the need for more education.
On tonight’s program: State lawmakers will meet in Tallahassee later this month to redraw a congressional map, but voting rights groups suing over the state's map are counting on the courts to decide how the lines are drawn...; Florida’s newly-passed election law changes, along with a federal court striking down some of last year’s election law revamps, has the state’s elections supervisors scrambling; Florida school administrators ponder how to add a half-credit financial literacy course to already-packed student schedules; The cream of the Capital Press Corps share their thoughts on the lawmaking session, which was so much oriented towards re-electoral aspirations; A Russian father and daughter are calling on Floridians to push government leaders to take a stand against Russia’s attack on Ukraine; Forecasters are predicting an active 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season; And the venerable American political tradition of the campaign song is back with a vengeance in Florida.
On tonight’s program: The nationwide pushback against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill continues, with critics saying what the bill doesn’t expressly prohibit goes well beyond what is actually stated in the legislation; LGBTQ workers at Florida’s most famous theme park also consider the current political climate a “hostile environment”; Advocates worry a new measure on nursing home staffing may put residents in jeopardy; If you have a health problem or medical question, the result may depend more on state politics than you imagine; A Florida photographer is graphically documenting the plight of those who can’t locate affordable housing; Experts say the epidemic of starvation that’s devastating Florida’s manatee population will require much more aggressive measures to turn around; And a nominee to the U-S Supreme Court is inspiring today’s students at the Miami High School she once attended.
On tonight’s program: This year’s lawmaking session focused much of its attention on so-called “culture war” issues, bringing criticism from many advocates, as well as legislative Democrats; Those “culture war” discussions often sparked emotional outbursts at the Florida Capitol; News Service of Florida Capitol Reporter Jim Saunders shares his impressions of this year’s lawmaking session; Lawmakers pass a bill allowing businesses to sue local governments for loss of profit, but environmentalists are worried about the impact it could have to Florida’s wildlife; Gov. DeSantis announces money to help Florida students recover from pandemic learning losses; Lawmakers could head into special session to draw a new congressional map if Governor DeSantis makes good on his promise to veto the legislature's reapportionment plan; And Capital Report Contributor Steve Bousquet has some final thoughts on what took place during the 2022 Florida lawmaking session.
On tonight’s program: The Florida Legislature goes into overtime. A veteran capital reporter tells us why; After much public and media critique, Florida’s Baker Act is in line for some major changes. Which many advocates see as a “good beginning”; Florida lawmakers give Governor Ron DeSantis more power over state agency appointments; A measure aimed at recruiting law enforcement now also gives sheriffs more flexibility in their budgets; This year’s legislative session had some election law changes, including the creation of a special police force to make sure the laws are followed; Once again, Florida lawmakers take aim at a requirement that legal advertising be carried in actual newspapers of record; And amidst all the talk of budgets and culture wars, is there really anything more important than determining what Florida’s official state dessert should be?
On tonight’s program: After a passionate discussion about race, the Florida Legislature passes a sweeping bill about how issues about race can be addressed in schools; While some say immigrants should work through the system if they want to live in the United States, other point out that system doesn’t work the same for everyone; And State wildfire officials caution that the threat of wildfires won't die after they contain a massive blaze burning in three northwest Florida counties...
On tonight’s program: Now in the final days of the legislative session, bills are moving quickly. House lawmakers sent a number of bills to the governor’s desk including a controversial measure that creates a presumption that equal time with both parents after a divorce is in the best interest of a child; Remember the old line about either hanging together or hanging separately? It’s a message that may be lost on Democrats in the Florida Senate; And rain has begun to fall over a massive wildfire burning in northwest Florida. Crews working to keep the flames from spreading say it could help...
On tonight’s program: Amidst furious protest, the Florida Legislature passes a measure restricting public school discussion of sexual preference and gender identify, a big priority for Governor DeSantis; Some lawmakers worry a measure that changes shoplifting penalties could hurt low income kids; And one of Florida’s own, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, is President Biden’s pick at the next U.S. Supreme Court justice. A prominent public policy expert talks about it.
On tonight’s program: Still more controversy erupts over Florida’s Parental Rights Bill as the governor’s spokesperson lashes out at the measure’s critics, generating a tidal wave of pushback; Wildfires threaten lives and property in Northwest Florida; And a battle over changing Florida’s public university accreditation rules is beset by uncertainty.
On tonight’s program: This year’s legislative session isn’t over yet, but it seems Governor DeSantis is already a big winner. His priorities, like an immigration crackdown, are being passed, even in the face of ferocious objections from advocates and Democrats; The Legislature finally passes a pair of newly redrawn congressional district maps for voters in the upcoming election. But Governor DeSantis doesn’t seem to like either of them; As the House passes a bill limiting the discussion of sexual preference and gender identity in public schools, angry students descent on the Florida Capitol in protest; Changes are in the works for Florida's rooftop solar industry; And Florida’s affordable housing crisis continues to get worse, as advocates urge renters and buyers not to panic.
On tonight’s program: Furious debate over abortion restrictions rages in the Florida Capitol; The state House today [Thursday] advanced two congressional maps to a floor vote scheduled for tomorrow [Friday]...And the impact of COVID on Florida nursing home residents forced more family members to reconsider that kind of care.
On tonight’s program: Some controversial education bills proceed through the Florida Legislature. But not every lawmaker is a fan; A bill banning abortions past the 15th week of pregnancy advances in the Florida Senate; House lawmakers pass – with bipartisan support - a measure to protect consumer's data privacy...; And Florida lawmakers struggle to figure out a way to bring more qualified personnel into the state’s staff-deficient nursing homes.
On tonight’s program: The majority of Florida lawmakers seem convinced by some parents’ arguments that school is not the appropriate discussion forum about sexual preference or gender identity; The bill limiting public classroom discussion about those topics, already passed in the House, heads for a full senate vote; A bill to address the effects of sea level rise in Florida is scheduled for a floor vote in the House tomorrow [Wednesday], but the measure wouldn't take steps toward curbing greenhouse gas emissions...And with less than two weeks on the legislative calendar, time is running our for many bills at the Capitol.
On tonight’s program: Russia’s attack on the Ukraine ignites worldwide protests. Including one in Tallahassee; The full state House is getting ready to take up two proposed congressional maps. Both would keep a Black voting district in north Florida, but one of the plans would eliminate Congressman Al Lawson's district; And lawmakers are looking into a plant that would help ensure babies who need it can get access to breastmilk donation banks.
On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill extending COVID liability protections for healthcare providers. Lawmakers say the move is needed because the virus and its treatments are still changing; A nationally-known columnist reacts to the Florida House’s passage of a bill limiting what can be said about race in the classroom and workplace training sessions; The CPAC meeting in Orlando attracts plenty of national attention. Although not every conservative Republican is a big fan of where the GOP is nowadays; The Florida House approves monthly fees in lieu of a security deposit for renters; More money is earmarked for some parts of the Florida Everglades that haven’t exactly been on the restoration radar before; And a wild bird species that once was considered endangered may be making a Florida comeback.
On tonight’s program: The bill that opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” measure clears the Florida House; House lawmakers sign off on another controversial measure about the teaching of race in public schools and workplace diversity training; And changes to Florida voting laws continue to move through the legislative process.
On tonight’s program: Most of Florida’s lawmakers may be opposed to abortion, but it seems contraception is another matter; Florida’s State College system is offering to train more nurses to meet a serious and growing shortage; And we’ll have another in a series of reports marking the tenth anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin and what has happened since his death.
On tonight’s program: Outnumbered and outgunned in the Florida Legislature, Democratic members are determined to keep fighting against the inevitable; A state Senate measure to expand access to broadband is moving forward, but the bill is now without funding until federal dollars make their way to the state....; And a decade after Trayvon Martin’s death, optimism about racial justice progress remains difficult to find.
On tonight’s program: With Florida’s residential rental rates spiraling ever skyward, the Florida Legislature is struggling to solve the crisis. Or at least slow the increases; An all-important vote on a bill to restrict talk about sexual identity or gender issues in public schools is expected tomorrow; We hear from the parents of Trayvon Martin, whose death came almost ten years ago. And we’ll look ahead to other legislative action expected at the Capital tomorrow.
On tonight’s program: The wrangling over a North Florida congressional district continues between Governor DeSantis and the legislature. A district with great racial and historical significance; The promotion of fatherhood becomes a main priority for Florida’s House leadership; The House passes a bill to help recruit and retain law enforcement officers; A major insurance industry advocate says insured homeowners are going to have to pick up more of the cost of covered repairs in order to stabilize the market; And assisted living and other facilities with senior residents are hoping Florida lawmakers can untangle what are sometimes conflicting visitation rules.
On tonight’s program: The bill prohibiting abortions in Florida after fifteen weeks advances on a midnight vote in the Florida House; Voting rights supporters rally at the Florida Capitol; A controversial water plan impacting the Everglades undergoes big changes to the delight of the original plan’s opponents; And Florida students may soon be required to learn about personal finance.
On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis hadn’t been in favor of cutting state money for public school districts that defied his “no mandatory masks” mandate. But he’s changed his mind; Florida’s surgeon general is still facing some tough questions from legislative Democrats; And we talk with the mom of a veteran who died by suicide and the message she is bringing to the Florida Legislature.
On tonight’s program: Lawmakers in the House had a chance to ask questions about the chamber’s proposed spending plan; A student's mental well-being may soon be counted as an excused absence; And it appears state lawmakers are willing to let local governments take the heat for banning smoking on public beaches.
On tonight’s program: For Florida school districts that imposed mask mandates when the state ordered them lifted, Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t saying the districts should be punished financially, but he’d still like them to be penalized somehow; On this fourth anniversary of the Parkland School Shooting, the pain from that horrific day remain fresh for one family; And the pace of budget-related activity at the Capitol is picking up with just four weeks left to go in the session.
On tonight’s program: Emotional testimony at the Capital in opposition to what opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill; The bill restricting abortion access in Florida is whizzing through the process, much to the dismay of abortion rights supporters; And to reduce the chance of dangerous interactions between disabled people and law enforcement, some lawmakers are looking at creating a special needs registry. But not everyone thinks it will help.
On tonight’s program: A bill seeks to protect elected leaders from protesters at their homes; Can Florida lawmakers reform the state’s Baker Act to ensure it’s only used in cases where it’s really needed?; And we get some South Florida feedback on a proposed bill to limit gender discussions in early public school grades.
On tonight’s program: A Democratic lawmaker is fighting to get exceptions for circumstances like rape added to an abortion measure moving through the legislature; A bill that would change the state’s rooftop solar industry gets pushback; Governor Ron DeSantis is asking for the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on his proposal to carve up Congressional District 5 -- which the same court cited as a legitimate minority access district back in 20-15...;The legislative push to restrict many voting procedures in Florida continues; much of it focusing on vote-by-mail rules; A Florida elections supervisor, who used to be a lawmaker, has some tough words for his former colleagues who are determined to push through new voting restrictions; And after many complaints from those living in boats offshore of the Florida Keys, state lawmakers are looking at lengthening their “length of stay” before they have to haul anchor and move elsewhere.
On tonight’s program: An education budget proposal includes a higher minimum wage for school workers; Florida lawmakers may move to break what they say is an “accreditation monopoly”; Lawmakers say giving the state control over vacation rentals has left some residents with little say over their neighbors; And one of the advocates honored during Children’s Week at the Florida Capitol founded her youthful literacy non-profit when she was a child herself. She’s now in high school.
On tonight’s program: Grandparents may get a better chance at visitation rights under legislation getting bipartisan support; Renters would be able to pay security deposits on the installment plan under a legislative proposal. Not everyone agrees it’s a good idea; The Democratic Whip in the Florida House of Representatives has some not-so-flattering words for the priorities of his Republican colleagues during this year’s session; And Florida’s surprisingly large timber industry has been having more than its share of troubles in recent years. We’ll hear what lawmakers may do to improve the situation.
On tonight’s program: The Florida Legislature may move to unshackle school kids who get out of control; A new case involving Marsy’s Law has media groups seeking answers from the Florida Supreme Court; Lawmakers are looking into a plan to ensure pregnant people get better care in the criminal justice system; Remember the guy years ago who kept insisting, “The rents are too damn high?” It seems that’s really the case in Florida now and tenants are asking lawmakers to do something about it; An Orlando Democratic lawmaker is taking on the big investor-owned power companies over the issue of home-based solar power; And the question of more benefits for Florida’s law enforcement officers is up for debate. And some committee testimony isn’t exactly supportive.
On tonight’s program: Culture war issues are dominating the education talk at the Florida Capitol; Florida continues to be one of the top states for human trafficking reports. Lawmakers are looking into legislation they hope will help curb the crime; The massive overhaul of Florida’s election laws last year winds up in front of a federal judge after complainants called “foul”; Florida housing prices keep on climbing. We’ll look at the skyrocketing rents in South Florida; And Florida may soon cut ties with companies that transport undocumented immigrants into the state.
On tonight’s program: Members of the public were removed from a committee meeting this week as lawmakers discussed on a bill relating to abortion access—leaving some with questions; Florida's redistricting process has moved quickly, but the proposed maps weren't guided by widespread public input. That has voting rights advocates concerned; Local government advocates watch with dismay as more measured reducing those bodies’ policy-making powers zip through the legislative committee process; After years under management by a charter school firm, a struggling Florida school district returns to public sector control. But there are some challenges; A bill targeting union membership is getting pushback; And the push is now on to make sure fewer Florida kids who depend on school meals don’t go hungry this coming summer when school is out.
On tonight’s program: Voting rights advocates are gearing up for trial in a lawsuit against the state over its new election laws...; Florida is facing a nursing shortage and experts say it’s likely to get worse before it gets better; We’ll have a conversation with a well-known advocate of school choice in Florida; A seasoned Capital Reporter says, despite the numerical dominance of Republicans in the Florida Legislature, not all of the leadership’s priorities have a clear guide path towards passage; And a Florida legislative committee entertained a light-hearted proposal involving the Space Force this week.
On tonight’s program: Florida Democrats say they weren’t getting direct answers during a confirmation hearing for Florida’s surgeon general, so they walked out; Is proposed legislation against so-called “wokeness” intended to open up school and workplace discussions on race and gender? Or will it tamp those discussions down?; It would seem the efforts of some Florida lawmakers to involve more parents in the nuts and bolts of public school education has a companion effort in neighboring Georgia; A move is filed to help shrink the number policies covered by Florida’s insurer of last resort; And a prominent Florida medical educator suggests it’s not only future doctors and nurses who need medical education. He says many patients do, too.
On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers advance greater parental involvement in the state’s public school curricula decisions. The reviews are mixed; Florida lawmakers are continuing their efforts to expand access to high-speed internet...; Florida doctors may soon have more leeway in prescribing controlled substances remotely; Lawmakers want to ensure babies born with hearing loss are screened for a virus known as CMV; The sunshine state is no longer a prime destination for film and TV productions. At least some state and local officials would like to change that; And while Florida may have a lot more assisted living facilities than North Dakota, it seems that state is doing a lot better job of making sure the residents of such facilities receive COVID vaccine booster shots.
On tonight’s program: A redistricting plan advances in the Florida House…; A severe personnel shortage hits Florida’s schools so what will – or can – the state legislature do about it?; Lawmakers and advocates say a measure on access to abortion is personal; A proposal would change the way state agency heads are appointed; And Florida’s manatees are starving for lack of seagrass. And opponents fear a pro-development bill advancing in the legislature could make things even worse
On tonight’s program: When a young person threatens on social media to shoot someone, maybe they should be taken seriously and stopped before they shoot someone; Governor Ron DeSantis' proposed congressional map is drawing backlash because it would eliminate two of the state's majority African American voting districts...; Florida law could impose new restrictions on what can and can’t be talked about in public school classrooms; Why are so many Florida lawmakers eager to get involved in local school board matters? A seasoned Capital reporter will provide some context; And after years of management by a charter school firm, a North Florida county’s school system will once again be run by the public sector.
On tonight’s program: A Florida redistricting expert offers a birds-eye view of what the congressional district maps under consideration could mean for voters and state politics....; State agencies are grappling with Florida's worker shortage; Lawmakers are looking into ways to get more peer specialists certified in the state. Experts say they’re an essential part of the substance abuse recovery process; Loss of seagrass is affecting Florida's manatee population, and lawmakers are considering legislation to resolve that problem; And a veteran Capital Reporter shares his insights as the end of the session’s second week approaches.
On tonight’s program: A bill restricting abortion sparks passionate debate in the Florida Legislature; Republican lawmakers are working to restrict the kinds of issues voters may petition for a referendum changing the state constitution…;The move to shield the identities of prospective college and university presidential candidates in Florida appears to be on a legislative fast track. Opponents insist it’s overkill, but advocates say it’s definitely needed; And a proposal getting bipartisan support seeks to reduce heat-related sickness in Florida’s outdoor workers.
On tonight’s program: A bill to ban Critical Race Theory in public schools and workplaces moves ahead in the Florida Legislature; The Florida Senate is ready to consider a billion-dollar emergency fund for Gov. Ron DeSantis; Florida lawmakers are seriously looking at permanently boosting correctional officer pay amid a massive staffing shortage...;Florida’s health care facilities have some critical personnel problems of their own; Lawmakers say children and parents need better protection from abusers—especially during custody fights; An arrest may come soon in the case of a Florida LGBTQ activist whose body was found in a Jackson County landfill; And it seems a significant number of Floridians have no problem saying goodbye permanently to single-use plastics.
On tonight’s program: A bill titled “Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality” would ban most Florida abortions after 15 weeks, but some say it’s focused on the wrong priorities; A bipartisan Senate committee has cleared the way for two electoral maps to get a floor vote -- but some voting rights advocates warn the maps might not fully reflect the state's demographic changes...;A veteran Capital Reporter gives his take on the Session’s initial week; And a leader in the Florida LGBTQ community was found dead last week in a Jackson County landfill and the Tallahassee Police Department is now investigating his death as a homicide.
On tonight’s program: As Florida housing becomes ever less affordable, will developers respond to the growing need for less-than-premium dwellings?; Political insiders spoke about government spending in front of a room of fellow political insiders at Florida Tax Watch's annual State of the Taxpayer Dinner last night [Wednesday]...; While some lawmakers say they’d like to see more money for coronavirus testing in the coming fiscal year, the state’ surgeon general says he doesn’t see the need for so much focus on testing; And controversy erupts at the Florida Capitol over the urgent issue of….the state’s “Official Dessert.”
On tonight’s program: A bipartisan Senate committee in charge of redrawing the state's electoral districts could move its draft of the U-S House map to a floor vote tomorrow....; Once again, Florida lawmakers consider measures that would allow businesses to sue local governments over ordinances that could impose a fiscal impact; Lawmakers consider changes to the regulation of vacation rental properties; Florida’s small business community says things would be going really well for them, if only they could hire enough people to do the work; And hearing aids can be costly for families but essential for kids, lawmakers are looking into a plan to ensure insurance companies foot the bill.
On tonight’s program: Florida's legislative leaders laid out their vision for the 60-day legislative session as part of their opening day remarks...; Governor Ron DeSantis shares his goals for the legislative session and pounds away at the overarching theme of “freedom”; Should the names of prospective presidents for Florida colleges and universities be kept secret? The legislature takes up that issue again this year; Florida lawmakers want to help ensure during dependency hearings kids voices are heard; And Florida lawmakers try again to lure show biz productions to the Sunshine State