10 big legal issues to watch in 2022
From elections to vaccines, state and federal courts are weighing major Florida lawsuits. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch in 2022:
Holiday travel up as gas prices dip
Nearly six million Floridians are expected to travel over the next two weeks, an increase of 35 percent over holiday travel last year. That comes as gasoline prices have dropped 12 cents a gallon in the past month.
Proposal would allow guns at legislative meetings
A House Republican on Monday filed a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to be armed at state legislative meetings.
Conservation groups target EPA over manatee deaths
Three conservation groups moved Monday toward filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection over water-quality problems that have led to a record number of manatee deaths this year in Florida.
Jobless claims below 5,700 last week
With Florida officials preparing to release a November unemployment report Friday, first-time jobless claims last week remained at pre-pandemic levels in the state.
State ratchets up appeal over health worker shots
Pointing to the “remarkable significance” of the case, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Thursday asked a full federal appeals court to at least temporarily block a Biden administration rule that would require health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Feud ends over school mask mandates
A standoff between Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and federal education officials about student mask requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic has ended after school districts nixed mask mandates.
Legal twists continue in health worker vaccine fight
As Florida battles the Biden administration about a rule that would require health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a Louisiana-based appeals court Wednesday scaled back an injunction that had blocked the rule nationwide.
Long-term solutions sought for manatees
Wildlife officials said Wednesday an infusion of projects to improve water quality is a good start, as they seek to avoid a recurrence of large numbers of manatee deaths due to a lack of seagrass and degraded water in the Indian River Lagoon.
DeSantis adds fuel to critical race theory fight
Continuing his administration’s campaign against critical race theory, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday teased legislation that he said would, in part, allow parents to sue schools that teach the theory.