Florida House battles pediatricians over gender-dysphoria records subpoena
A statewide pediatricians association is pushing back in federal court against the Florida House’s efforts to obtain internal communications showing how the group adopted standards of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria
Friend of ex-tax collector Joel Greenberg pleads guilty to crimes related to prostitution, loan fraud
A friend of former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg will plead guilty to federal charges related to prostitution and COVID-19 relief loan fraud, according to a plea agreement signed Monday.
‘Politically inconvenient:’ UCF professor files lawsuit against university officials over 2021 termination
A professor at the University of Central Florida is now suing university officials following his termination over claims of misconduct, attributing it to discrimination over his "political views."
Florida Supreme Court refuses to block execution of man convicted of killing Flagler couple in 1989
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected arguments aimed at sparing the life of death row inmate Louis Gaskin, setting the stage for his execution next week in the 1989 murders of a Flagler County couple.
‘Betrayed your trust:’ Joel Greenberg sentenced to 11 years in prison for child sex trafficking, fraud
Former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison after facing a judge for several federal charges, including child sex trafficking and aggravated identity theft.
Judge says Florida migrant flights lawsuit needs changes
A Leon County circuit judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a South Florida senator challenging the use of state funds to transport migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, but advised how to revamp the legal complaint so the case can move forward.
Federal judge refuses to block Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
A federal judge has refused to block school districts from carrying out a new state law that restricts instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms, rejecting arguments by parents, students and a non-profit organization.
Central Florida woman joins national lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia
A Polk County woman has joined a national class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America and Kia America Inc. alleging “blatant breach of public trust” led to a surge in thefts of certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold without an engine immobilizer.
Florida leaders react to jury recommending life in prison for Parkland school shooter
Florida leaders expressed a mixture of emotions Thursday after a jury rejected the death penalty and recommended instead a life sentence without parole for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz for killing 17 people in 2018.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ legal challengers push for clarity on how law implemented in schools
Plaintiffs challenging a Florida law restricting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools are asking a judge to reverse an order stalling their ability to gather information in the case, arguing that the law is being used throughout the state to “censor any positive or supportive reference to LGBT people.”
Judge criticizes Florida health officials for not granting additional medical marijuana licenses
An appeals-court judge this week chided Florida health officials for not following up on promises to grant additional medical-marijuana licenses as required by state law, saying potential applicants are “understandably frustrated” and offering a legal playbook for entrepreneurs who have been shut out of the cannabis market for years.
Man who told authorities where to find Florida woman he killed sentenced to life in prison
A man who told authorities where to find a Florida woman he fatally stabbed in July 2018 was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison nearly four years later, the 7th Circuit State Attorney’s Office said Thursday.
Officer demands probation in case regarding motorized suitcase chase at Orlando airport
An Orlando police officer is demanding an airline passenger accused of unruly behavior receive, at minimum, a sentence of supervised probation if she enters into a plea deal with prosecutors over an incident that’s become the subject of a viral video.
Florida man charged with human smuggling after 4 found dead at border
A Florida man was charged Thursday with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Canada near the U.S. border in what authorities believe was a failed crossing attempt during a freezing blizzard.
Federal appeals court clears social media companies in Pulse shooting lawsuit
A federal appeals court Monday rejected a lawsuit alleging that Twitter, Google and Facebook should be held liable in the 2016 massacre at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub after Islamic State social-media posts radicalized shooter Omar Mateen.
What to expect when Orange County courthouse reopens after coronavirus closures
Part one of that began on March 13 when in-person contact was closed to the public and proceedings in-person only happened in emergency or essential situations. Weve done everything within our abilities to ensure that this is a safe space for the public to return for the purpose of court proceedings, Myers said. Court proceedings will be limited initially, and we will define certain types of proceedings that can occur consistent with the Supreme Courts orders. Social distancing and staggered hearing times: Social distancing (six feet between individuals) will be strictly enforced in court, Myers said. Myers said, phases three and four, which lay ahead, have not been fully defined by the Supreme Court except to indicate more access to in-person, in-person court surfaces with relaxed protective measures.