Judge hears arguments over mask mandates
A Leon County circuit judge began hearing arguments Monday in a high-profile lawsuit about whether Florida school districts should be able to set student mask requirements as COVID-19 continues to surge across the state..
Gasoline prices dip, could drop more
Average gasoline prices in Florida have dipped below $3 a gallon and are expected to go down further amid concerns about the delta variant of the coronavirus, the AAA auto club said Monday.
Florida unemployment rate at 5.1 percent
Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up to 5.1 percent in July, as state officials pointed to people continuing to re-enter the labor force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NRA targets ban on gun sales to people under 21
Pointing to what it described as the “irrationality” of the ban, the National Rifle Association has urged a federal appeals court to reject a 2018 Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from buying guns.
Weekly roundup: Mask wars heat up
Whether Florida students will be required to “mask up” in schools this year has become an issue of national interest, and one that appears far from being resolved.
The fight over school districts’ attempts to set their own student mask mandates has headed to the courts, marking a new development in the power struggle between Gov. Ron DeSantis, local school officials and the federal government.
State targets school officials’ pay in mask battle
The State Board of Education on Friday followed up on its threat to financially penalize local school officials who impose student mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing how it is targeting salaries of school board members in Alachua and Broward counties.
Affordable housing initiative tops 41,000 petitions
Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ensuring money for affordable housing have topped 41,000 petition signatures submitted to the state as they try to get on the November 2022 ballot.
Judge clears way for lawsuit over mask order
A legal battle over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempts to prevent school mask mandates will go ahead next week after a circuit judge refused to dismiss the case Thursday.
New jobless claims stay at pre-pandemic level
Florida continues to see pre-pandemic levels of unemployment claims, with an estimated 4,092 first-time applications for benefits submitted last week.
Sports betting deal faces second court challenge
Upping the ante in the courts, two pari-mutuel facilities have filed a second federal lawsuit challenging a 30-year gambling agreement reached by Gov. Ron DeSantis that gives the Seminole Tribe control over sports betting throughout Florida.