Apr 12, 2021
Court says Northwest Florida prisoner can seek punitive damages
In a case that has drawn interest from a wide range of civil-liberties groups, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that a state inmate can seek punitive damages in a lawsuit that alleged threats by guards at a Northwest Florida prison violated his First Amendment rights.
Apr 9, 2021
Court upholds law on local gun regulations
In a win for Republican lawmakers and the National Rifle Association, an appeals court Friday upheld a 2011 state law that threatens tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun-related regulations.
Apr 9, 2021
Waiver aids students amid pandemic
Answering the question of how the state would handle standardized testing this year, the Florida Department of Education issued an emergency order Friday waiving accountability measures tied to state exams.
Concerns about consequences of testing had loomed as exams kicked off this week for some students. Education officials and lawmakers grappled with the issue because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, including many students learning remotely.
Apr 9, 2021
House to take up transgender athlete ban
The Florida House on Tuesday is slated to take up a controversial bill that would ban transgender females from taking part in girls’ or women’s high-school and college sports.
Apr 9, 2021
House vote-by-mail proposal gets overhaul
A controversial elections bill focused largely on the state’s vote-by-mail process underwent an overhaul Thursday in the Florida House, but critics say it still poses unnecessary barriers to voters.
Apr 8, 2021
Florida sues Biden administration over idled cruises
Arguing that the state is at risk of losing billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody on Thursday filed a lawsuit against federal health officials for sidelining the cruise industry.
Apr 8, 2021
House passes changes in financial aid program
The Florida House on Thursday approved a measure that would lead to some private colleges and universities becoming ineligible for a program that provides financial assistance to students.
Apr 7, 2021
Senate scales back prison closure plan
The Florida Senate is easing back on a plan to shutter and demolish four state prisons, agreeing Wednesday to a proposal that would close a single, 1,500-bed correctional institution by Dec. 31.
Apr 7, 2021
Florida tops nation in Obamacare enrollment
Florida continues to lead the nation in the number of people taking advantage of a special enrollment period for coverage under the Affordable Care Act, with 146,250 people obtaining health insurance between Feb. 15 and March 31.
Apr 6, 2021
Alimony revamps going to full house
A proposal that would revamp Florida’s alimony laws, including eliminating what is known as permanent alimony, is ready to go to the House floor. The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted 12-6 along party lines to approve the bill (HB 1559).