Appeals court backs teen on abortion notice waiver
A divided appeals court on Tuesday approved a waiver for a 16-year-old girl who is seeking to have an abortion without her parents being notified. The majority of a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal said a Polk County circuit judge had improperly denied the waiver of a state law that ordinarily requires parental notification before minors can have abortions.
State rescinds nursing home visitation orders
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has swept away four emergency orders dealing with visitors to nursing homes, just days before the Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would help shield the facilities from lawsuits associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Bed’ tax money pitched to combat flooding
Despite opposition from the tourism industry, a House committee Monday moved forward with a proposal that would allow counties to spend so-called “bed” tax money on efforts to combat flooding.
Plakon among nine seeking PSC post
Facing term limits next year, state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, is among nine candidates for an open seat on the Florida Public Service Commission.
Online tax plan moving forward amid stimulus
A windfall of federal stimulus money won’t slow a deal between state House and Senate leaders that includes requiring out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Floridians.
Tyndall drone washes up on Atlantic coast
A 20-foot-long (6-meter-long) U.S. Air Force drone that had been shot down in target practice was found washed ashore Friday on a Florida beach, authorities said.
DeSantis rips idea of ‘COVID-19’ passports
Gov. Ron DeSantis has emphatically resisted placing restrictions on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But DeSantis this week suggested he may go after companies if they require customers to show proof that they are vaccinated, saying “it’s more than just a private decision.”
Bright future or bitter horizon?
The outlook for the state’s Bright Futures program might not be so sunny for students, as Senate Republicans are putting a bullseye on the popular scholarships.
House rolls out election changes
A House committee Monday will take up a wide-ranging bill about the state’s election laws, including maintaining the use of drop boxes for mail-in ballots and requiring Floridians to more frequently request such ballots.
Florida lowering vaccination age to 50
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that Florida will start offering COVID-19 vaccines to all people age 50 and older starting Monday. This week, Florida lowered the age threshold from 65 to 60, but the governor said softening demand convinced him the state could go to 50.