Judge backs EPA in water quality dispute
Tallahassee – In a case that started after a dramatic increase in manatee deaths, a federal judge has rejected a lawsuit aimed at requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take another look at water-quality standards in the Indian River Lagoon.
School board members shielded in book fight
Tallahassee – A federal judge this week shielded Escambia County School Board members from having to testify in a legal battle about the removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” from school libraries.
Florida readies for ‘dangerous storm’
Tallahassee – Hurricane and storm-surge watches were in effect Tuesday for much of Florida’s Gulf Coast as a weather system is expected to rapidly grow into “a potentially very dangerous storm” and hit the state as a hurricane this week.
Homeless, ‘Margaritaville’ laws to take effect
Tallahassee – Nearly three dozen new state laws will take effect Oct. 1, including a contentious measure that will limit where homeless people can sleep.
Judge refuses to dismiss manatees case
Tallahassee – A federal judge this week refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Florida has violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that have helped lead to manatee deaths.
FPL gets extension for nuclear plant
Tallahassee – As the state looks at expanding the use of nuclear energy, Florida Power & Light has received federal approval to continue operating its Turkey Point nuclear plant in Miami-Dade County into the 2050s.
Florida cites ‘consequences’ of wetlands ruling
Tallahassee – Florida this week argued a federal appeals court should overturn a ruling about permitting for projects that affect wetlands, contending that “disastrous consequences flow” from the ruling.
ACC launches new appeal in FSU fight
Tallahassee – In the latest move in a fierce legal battle, the Atlantic Coast Conference has appealed a Leon County circuit judge’s refusal to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Florida State University against the ACC over issues such as sports media rights.
Court to weigh Florida gun age law
Tallahassee – A federal appeals court next month will hear arguments in the National Rifle Association’s constitutional challenge to a Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from purchasing rifles and other long guns.
Lawsuit targets state abortion information
Tallahassee – A political committee leading efforts to pass a constitutional amendment on abortion rights filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that the state Agency for Health Care Administration is using a website and ads to spread “misinformation” about the November ballot measure.















