Stories by News Service of Florida
Stories by News Service of Florida
Social media lawsuit tossed; fight to continue
March 21, 2025
Tallahassee – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a 2024 Florida law aimed at restricting children’s access to major social-media sites, ruling that industry groups did not show they had legal standing to fight the measure.
Lawmakers seek ‘transparency’ in higher ed searches
March 19, 2025
Tallahassee – With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure.
Lawmakers eye changes after 2024 hurricanes
March 18, 2025
Tallahassee – From holding down property taxes on homes rebuilt after hurricanes to new post-storm rules for elections supervisors, the Florida House on Mar. 18 started moving forward with a proposal to address issues whipped up during the damaging 2024 hurricane season.
Lawmakers back restrictions on ballot initiatives
March 6, 2025
Tallahassee – After fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process.
State pension officials step up corporate scrutiny
March 5, 2025
Tallahassee – Florida will expand a look at companies whose shareholders include the state pension fund, after targeting corporate initiatives that Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies deem part of “woke” ideology.
DeSantis targets ballot initiatives, taxes
March 4, 2025
Tallahassee – While saying Florida has been a leader on issues such as cracking down on illegal immigration, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Mar. 4 helped launch the 2025 legislative session by calling for revamping the ballot-initiative process, curbing property taxes and revisiting gun laws.
Senators ok repealing later school start times
March 4, 2025
Tallahassee – With school districts across the state expressing support, Florida senators Mar. 3 started moving forward with a bill that would repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools.
School book fight gets green light
March 3, 2025
Tallahassee – With major publishing companies and authors arguing a 2023 state law violates First Amendment rights, a federal judge Feb. 28 refused to dismiss a lawsuit against members of the State Board of Education over the removal of school library books.
FPL proposes rate increases
February 28, 2025
Tallahassee – Florida Power & Light on Feb. 28 filed a proposal that would lead to higher electric bills for customers over the next four years, with the utility pointing to issues such as growth and a need to build more solar-energy facilities.
State could allow Apalachicola oyster harvesting
February 27, 2025
Tallahassee – State wildlife officials are devising plans to allow some commercial oyster harvesting next year in Northwest Florida’s Apalachicola Bay, despite no major improvements in the bay after a halt during the past four years.