‘Jimmy Buffett Day’ celebrated for the first time in Florida on Friday
Parrotheads unite! The Florida Legislature has designated Aug. 30 as “Jimmy Buffett Day” and it will be celebrated for the first time on Friday.
Voter outreach groups targeted by new laws in several GOP-led states are struggling to do their work
Laws passed in several Republican-controlled states after the 2020 presidential election have criminalized much of the work done by voter outreach groups.
Groups claim South Florida districts are racially gerrymandered for Hispanics in lawsuit
Progressive civic groups have challenged how four congressional districts and seven state House districts in South Florida were drawn by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature.
Florida Senate president’s husband dies after falling at Utah’s Bryce Canyon park
The husband of Florida’s Senate president died after falling while the couple was hiking in Utah, according to a memo sent to senators Wednesday.
Florida Legislature passes revamped social media bill; it heads back to desk of Gov. DeSantis
The social media ban for minors under the age of 16 has passed the Florida House and is headed to Governor DeSantis’ desk.
Bill that lowers age to buy firearms from 21 to 18 moves forward in Florida legislature
HB 1223, filed by Rep. Bobby Payne, would allow firearms to be bought or transferred to adults as young as 18-years-old.
Florida lawmakers to begin special session by expressing support of Israel
The Florida Legislature will return to the Capitol for a special session Monday that will allow lawmakers to express their support for Israel, while giving Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis some talking points as he campaigns for president.
Florida lawmakers begin special session to express support for Israel, further sanction Iran
The Florida Legislature has returned to the Capitol for a special session where lawmakers will express their support for Israel and give Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis more talking points as he campaigns for president.
DeSantis' redistricting map in Florida is unconstitutional and must be redrawn, judge says
A judge says that a Florida redistricting plan pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis violates the state constitution.
Disney countersues in Florida court after oversight board pushes for judgment
The Walt Disney Company on Thursday filed a countersuit against the DeSantis-appointed board overseeing Disney property in Florida court, alleging breach of contract, and asked the court to declare the company the winner in this part of the ongoing feud between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Largest US gay rights group issues Florida travel advisory for anti-LGBTQ+ laws
The largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. has joined other civil rights organizations in issuing a travel advisory for Florida.
Disney scraps plans for new Florida campus as fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis continues
The Walt Disney Co. says it's scrapping plans to build a new campus in central Florida and relocate 2,000 employees from Southern California to work in digital technology, finance and product development.
Lawmakers push to let FL police, fire use Chinese drones again; cops say approved ones are junk
There’s a bipartisan push in the Florida Legislature to return Chinese-made drones back into service for the state’s first responders after a ban took effect earlier this month.
Florida bill banning abortions after 6 weeks clears final Senate committee
A controversial bill that would ban abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy has cleared another hurdle in the Florida legislature.
New bill would make it illegal in Florida to approach police officer after receiving warning
A new bill filed in the Florida Legislature would make it illegal to approach a police officer or firefighter at a scene after being warned to stay away.
Permitless gun carry bill gaining traction in Tallahassee amid Republican supermajority
This week, Republicans in the Florida state legislature are closing in on their goal of getting a permit-less gun carry bill on Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk.
DeSantis: Florida Legislature will ‘reevaluate’ state’s relationship with College Board following course controversy
Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his opposition to a proposed AP Black history course Monday, telling reporters during an appearance in Naples that the Florida Legislature would be reevaluating its relationship with the College Board.
3rd case brought by DeSantis’ election police dismissed
A third case of a defendant who was arrested by an elections police unit created by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Republican-controlled Florida Legislature has been thrown out.
Florida grand jury calls for new laws on illegal immigration
A statewide grand jury empaneled at the request of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for lawmakers to create new criminal penalties for harboring undocumented immigrants.
Florida lawmakers to hold Hurricane Ian-relief special session
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the Florida Legislature plans to hold a special session to give tax relief to Hurricane Ian victims before the year ends.
Gay student says school stopping run for student leadership
A 17-year-old gay student who was suspended for leading protests at his high school against Florida’s so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation says school administrators are now stopping him from running for senior class president.
EXPLAINER: Why are Disney and DeSantis feuding in Florida?
The Florida Legislature has passed a bill to dissolve a private government controlled by Disney that provides municipal-like services for its 27,000 acres in the Sunshine State.
EXPLAINER: Why some states still lack new voting districts
Campaigns for Congress are underway for this year’s elections, but lingering disagreements over the final shape of new voting districts have left some candidates — and would-be candidates — in limbo.
DeSantis vows to protect employees facing termination for not receiving COVID-19 vaccine
Gov. Ron DeSantis says the Florida Legislature will be brought together sometime in November as he asks them to take action to protect Floridians who are facing termination from their employers for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
DeSantis travels to Surfside to deliver $1,000 bonuses to first responders
Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled to Surfside Tuesday morning to deliver some of the $1,000 bonuses that the Florida Legislature approved earlier this year for first responders.
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends all local COVID-19 orders
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday morning at a restaurant in St. Petersburg, at which time he announced that he is using his executive powers to terminate all local COVID-19 orders, effective immediately.
Pay attention to oppressive Florida legislative proposals, advocates say
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Advocacy groups recently met in Miami-Dade County to denounce what they say are several oppressive Florida legislative proposals that are in the works. CRIMINAL LAW: PROTESTA Florida legislative proposal would make it easier to criminalize protesters and prevent civil litigation if a protester is a victim of police brutality. Florida Senate Bill 48 creates publicly funded educational savings accounts to help families pay for tuition at private schools. Florida Senate Bill 84 voids the state’s pension plan for a privatized 401(k) retirement plan. Florida Senate Bill 90 limits vote-by-mail applications to one election cycle and eliminates drop-off boxes.
This Week in South Florida: Perry Thurston and Ana Maria Rodriguez
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Florida Legislature officially begins its annual session this week, though lawmakers have been working for months in committee meetings on new bills. They are faced with a budget shortfall and an economy reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as several controversial bills championed by Gov. Two South Florida lawmakers joined This Week in South Florida to discuss. State Senator Perry Thurston, a Democrat from Fort Lauderdale, and state Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, a Republican from Miami-Dade County, joined TWISF hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney. Their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.
The Latest: Fla. lawyer in tobacco cases dies from COVID-19
Brad Little says people 65 and over will be able to get the coronavirus vaccine starting Feb. 1. Overall, Illinois has reported more than 1 million cases and 17,743 deaths. Ontario reported 2,903 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, including eight new cases of a variant from the United Kingdom. ___MADRID — Spain is reporting 25,438 coronavirus cases and more than 400 deaths for the second day in a row. Italy added 14,242 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, increasing the tally to 2.3 million cases.
This Week in South Florida: Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Burnadette Norris-Weeks
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – In pre-pandemic days, the weekly roundtable discussion on This Week in South Florida was a regular part of the show. It reviewed the week’s top stories and allowed for different voices and viewpoints on each to be heard. Carlos Lopez-Cantera was Florida’s Lieutenant Governor under Rick Scott and a former member of the Florida Legislature. Burnadette Norris-Weeks is an attorney and civic activist from Fort Lauderdale. They joined Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg for this week’s roundtable discussion, and it can be seen at the top of this page.
Put your phone down while driving: New texting law in effect
Getty ImagesMIAMI - Put your phone down while you are driving to avoid getting a ticket in Florida. Starting Monday, law enforcement officers can pull motorists over solely for texting while driving, thanks to a new law passed by the Florida Legislature. Before, texting while driving was not a primary offense, meaning officers had to have another reason to stop a motorist to cite them for texting and driving. There will be a grace period as everyone adjusts to the new law. Once actual fines are handed out, it will cost $30 plus court costs for a first violation and $60 for a second violation.