State rep seeks hands-free cell use behind wheel
December 21, 2020
After helping craft a 2019 law that strengthened Florida’s ban on texting while driving, Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, is seeking to require motorists to go fully “hands free” while using wirele…
House Senate releases COVID protocols
December 18, 2020
State legislative leaders Friday released contrasting COVID-19 protocols for upcoming committee meetings, with the Senate setting up an off-site area where the public can view and participate in meet…
Lifetime pet ownership ban overturned
December 18, 2020
A divided appeals court Friday overturned a lifetime ban on pet ownership for a Volusia County man whose arrest for killing a dog helped lead to a new state law about animal abuse. A panel of the 5th…
Florida unemployment rate stays at 6.4%
December 18, 2020
Florida’s unemployment rate held steady in November, as businesses did not boost seasonal hiring as much as usual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawmakers to consider moment of silence measure
December 17, 2020
An effort to require public-school students to engage in a moment of silence at the start of each school day is back before the state Legislature. Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, refiled legislation (SB…
Access expands to COVID vaccine
December 16, 2020
About 180 hospitals across the state will have access to COVID-19 vaccines as of next week, Florida’s emergency management chief said Tuesday.
Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Mosko…
By the Numbers: Florida counties with fewest COVID deaths
December 16, 2020
Florida this week surpassed 20,000 resident deaths from COVID-19. The largest numbers of deaths have happened in heavily populated Southeast Florida. But here are the dozen counties with the fewest…
Land deals, including one in Panhandle, approved
December 15, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend more than $16.7 million to protect fields in Southwest Florida where federally endangered Florida panthers roam and land in Washington…
DeSantis says Trump loss could affect Florida
December 15, 2020
A day after President Donald Trump lost the Electoral College vote, Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested Tuesday that the exit of his close political ally from the White House could affect Florida on issues…
Medicaid cost, enrollment spiral in pandemic
December 15, 2020
A new forecast for Medicaid shows state economists and health officials continue to predict a jump in the number of people enrolling in the coming year — bringing a dramatic surge in the amount of…