Lauren Book, a former state senator from South Florida, is one of the 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse living in the U.S. She started the non-profit Lauren’s Kids to educate adults and children about sexual abuse prevention.

Republican state Rep. Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne lashed out Wednesday against Gov. Ron DeSantis after his administration blocked her from qualifying to run in a special election to replace outgoing Sen. Randy Fine.

Women make up 41.3% of the seats in the Florida Legislature, the highest among the southeastern states.

Iconic Florida singer Jimmy Buffet named one of his albums “A1A” in honor of the coastal highway that winds through about 340 miles along the state’s Atlantic Coast, and now Florida is about to return the honor.

U.S. support for Israel's offensive against Hamas is being closely watched in South Florida's Jewish community.

About 50 years ago, a 17-year-old girl was raped and left alongside the road, later learning she was pregnant. After giving birth, that teen abandoned her baby.

In a move that likely would spur a constitutional fight, Florida lawmakers appear ready to pass a proposal that would allow the death penalty for people who commit sexual batteries on children under age 12.

A new bill filed in the Florida Senate was inspired by a recent incident in Daytona Beach where a 76-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her terminally-ill husband in a hospital.

Florida will require statewide recertification of condominiums over three stories tall under new legislation Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law.

The Florida Senate has approved a sweeping legislative package meant to combat rising property insurance rates and other problems in the state’s turbulent insurance market, creating a $2 billion reinsurance fund and writing new rules around coverage denials and attorney fees.

A Florida senator’s personal story about nude images stolen from her and traded online led to the passage of a bill aiming to prevent future victims.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will sign a 15-week abortion ban into law after Florida’s legislature joined the trend of Republican-led states anticipating a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could sharply limit abortion rights in America.

Abortions after 15 weeks would be banned in Florida under a proposal Republican senators have given final passage and sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his expected signature.

Republicans in the Florida Senate have advanced a proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks, rejecting Democratic attempts to soften its restrictions and add exceptions for rape, incest or trafficking.

Florida Republicans have rejected a move to create exemptions for rape, incest and human trafficking in their proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks.

Florida State Sen. Lauren Book was sexually abused as a child for years by her nanny.

Florida State Sen. Lauren Book was sexually abused as a child for years by her nanny.

Authorities say a South Florida teen tried to get $5,000 from a state senator after threatening to release sexually explicit photos of her.

A new Florida bill seeks harsher penalties against illegal street racing, spectators and anyone filming or recording a race.

Michael Mizrachy, 49, was charged in federal court on Friday and could face up to 20 years in prison. He was originally arrested Jan. 12 on identical state charges and had been free on a $30,000 bond. Investigators using search warrants also found photographs of young children and teens in their underwear, taken without their knowledge, on the doctor's iPhone and computer. AdBook noted that despite being charged with child porn in state court, Mizrachy has been able to hold himself out as a doctor. Investigators began looking at Mizrachy in June after the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Driving home with sealed mixed drinks or other alcoholic libations as part of “to go” meals, an option allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help restaurants, moved closer Tuesday to becoming permanent in Florida. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee became the first legislative panel to support a proposal (SB 148) to put into law an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis that allows restaurants to include alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals. The hospitality industry has been devastated by the pandemic,” said Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association General Counsel Samantha Padgett. A similar proposal (HB 329) by Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City, is scheduled to go before the House Regulatory Reform Subcommittee on Thursday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Girls under the age of 18 would need to get a parent's permission before having an abortion in Florida under a bill that received its final Senate committee approval Wednesday. Florida already has a law requiring the parents of a minor be notified before an abortion is performed, but bill sponsor Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel said it doesn’t go far enough. “I believe that parental notification is basically a child just saying, `This is what I’m doing,'” Stargel said. “The bill continues a chipping away of women’s rights and that is something we shouldn’t trample on,” said Democratic Sen. Audrey Gibson. I think our young girls deserve better.”Republican Senate President Bill Galvano said the bill will be heard on the Senate floor next week and voted on the following week.