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Florida News Archive

Apr 27, 2021

By the numbers: COVID deaths by age

As of Monday, nearly 35,000 Florida residents had died of COVID-19. Here is a breakdown of the resident deaths by age group:

— Ages 0-4: 1 death

— Ages 5-14: 5 deaths

Apr 26, 2021

Senate passes controversial vote-by-mail changes

With Democrats likening the measure to Jim Crow-era practices aimed at keeping Black people from voting, the state Senate on Monday passed an elections package that would make it harder for Floridians to cast ballots by mail.
Apr 26, 2021

Voucher expansion going to DeSantis

Moving Florida a step closer to a major expansion of school vouchers, the Senate on Monday passed a measure that would widen eligibility for taxpayer-funded aid to send children to private schools.
Apr 26, 2021

Social media crackdown clears Senate

In one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top priorities of the legislative session, the Florida Senate on Monday passed a measure to crack down on social-media companies that remove users from their platforms.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 22-17, along almost straight party lines, to approve the proposal (SB 7072), which now will go to the House.

Apr 26, 2021

Vaping regulation bill backed in Senate

The Florida Senate on Monday passed a plan that would regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes and raise the state’s legal age to use tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.
Apr 26, 2021

Local governments want Supreme Court to decide gun case

Pointing to “far-reaching, statewide implications,” local governments want the Florida Supreme Court to rule in a case about a 2011 state law that threatens tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun-related regulations.
Apr 24, 2021

House backs ban on ‘disability’ abortions

After an often-emotional debate, the Florida House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would prevent doctors from performing abortions that women seek because of tests showing that fetuses will have disabilities.
Apr 23, 2021

Senate presses to increase jobless benefits

Despite opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida senators plowed ahead Thursday with a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits, which are among the lowest in the nation. 

The Senate voted 40-0 to approve a bill (SB 1906) that would increase maximum weekly payments from $275 to $375 and add more weeks in which benefits would be available. The vote came days after DeSantis voiced opposition and the House rejected efforts to boost benefits.

Apr 23, 2021

Parental rights measure heads to DeSantis

A proposal that would outline a series of rights for parents on issues related to education and health care is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis after clearing the Senate on Thursday. Senators voted 24-15, along almost straight party lines, to approve the measure (HB 241). Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, was the only Democrat who voted for the bill.
Apr 23, 2021

Senate ready to pass elections revamp

The Republican-controlled Florida Senate is poised to pass a controversial revamp of state elections laws, including putting new restrictions on voting by mail. The Senate took up the bill (SB 90) on Thursday and positioned it for a vote.
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