Florida says no to $320 million in federal emissions funding
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue has turned down $320 million in federal money aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions, arguing federal transportation officials are overstepping their authority in the program.
2018 gaming amendment never included sports betting, Florida attorneys tell supreme court
A constitutional amendment requiring any expansion of gambling to be approved by Florida voters in 2018 included many forms of gaming, but not sports betting, according to attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis urging the Florida Supreme Court to reject a lawsuit to stop online sports betting in the state.
Florida police union vows to push for new laws after Marsy’s law ruling
The largest union representing Florida’s law enforcement officers is vowing to get the state’s laws changed after the Florida Supreme Court ruled this week that a 2018 constitutional amendment expanding crime victims’ rights does not guarantee protection of the victim’s name.
FDLE fires official who sought whistleblower protection over DeSantis records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement fired a deputy chief of staff days after she sought whistleblower protection and complained about alleged retaliation against an attorney who tangled with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ aides over releasing public records.
Appeals court back Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting map
A state appeals court Friday upheld a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature, rejecting arguments that it unconstitutionally diminished the rights of Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.
Reedy Creek no more: DeSantis-appointed Disney district unveils new website, logo
Some 10 months after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to rename Disney’s special taxing district the “Central Florida Tourism Oversight District” and appointed a new board to oversee it, the district has unveiled a new website URL.
Judge Jeff Ashton will not face charges in child abuse investigation
Jeff Ashton, the prosecutor who handled the Casey Anthony case and who is now a judge in Orange and Osceola counties, will not be charged in an investigation into child abuse allegations, according to the state attorney handling the case.
Marsy’s Law doesn’t protect anyone’s name, including law enforcement, Florida Supreme Court rules
A Florida constitutional amendment may protect a victim of crime’s information, but that does not include their name and that goes for law enforcement too, the Florida Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday.
Want to add your business to the Florida Foodie Directory? Here’s how
The Florida Foodie Directory is a database of restaurants, bars, diners, breweries and other eateries across Central Florida where people can find addresses, websites, operating hours and more for their favorite dining establishments.
Florida rapper apologizes to fan who was attacked by members of his entourage
A 20-year-old man who was looking to take a photo with Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick was left in critical condition after he was knocked unconscious by apparent members of the rapper’s entourage, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Students at Florida high school walk out after staff shakeup over transgender athlete
Students at a Broward County high school walked out of the classroom Tuesday, one day after the district announced it was reassigning the school’s principal and several other staff members amid a probe into a transgender athlete.
Florida seeks go-ahead to enforce law aimed at drag shows
After suffering a setback at the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration on Friday told a federal appeals court that a law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows is tailored to the state's "unquestioned interest in protecting children from exposure to obscenity."