WUFT · The Rewind: Week of Feb. 7, 2022
Every week, journalists at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications report important stories for people in the North Central Florida area and beyond. This is The Rewind from WUFT News, a look into some of the strongest reporting from our newsroom and a discussion with the journalists who write these stories.
This week, we tackle stories about activities happening in the Florida Legislature, including the failure of a bill to overturn Florida's "free kill" law, a 15-week abortion ban pushing forward and a bill limiting speech about the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.
Part 1: Senate halts efforts to overturn Florida’s law protecting doctors in malpractice lawsuits
The Florida Senate shut down multiple efforts to overturn the "free kill" law that prevents families from filing medical malpractice lawsuits when victims are adults. The law protects doctors and hospitals in Florida and has seen attempts in previous years to overturn it as well.
Fresh Take Florida's Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz has been reporting this story since October and breaks down what happened to the bills in this interview.
WUFT · The Rewind: Move to overturn Florida’s law protecting doctors in malpractice lawsuits fails
Part 2: 15-week abortion ban advances in Florida House
A bill to ban abortions in Florida after 15-weeks of pregnancy is making its way through the Florida House of Representatives. According to the bill's sponsor, it is a mirror image of a Mississippi ban currently being decided upon in the U.S. Supreme Court. Critics of the bill worry that it will limit abortion access specifically to women of color and that it is too extreme to be implemented.
WUFT Reporter Katie Delk explains the ban and what it could mean for reproductive rights in Florida during this interview.
WUFT · The Rewind: 15-week abortion ban advances in Florida House
Part 3: Florida bills may limit discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools
The Florida legislature is advancing bills banning discussions about LGBTQ+ and transgender identities in classrooms. The bills target primary grade levels and, according to its sponsors, aim to restore a parent's autonomy in the upbringing of their children.
Carissa Allen, a reporter at The Independent Florida Alligator, explains the bills and the pushback they have received so far in this interview.
WUFT · The Review: ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills moving through Legislature