A Leon County circuit judge heard arguments Friday in a challenge by the city of Gainesville to a new state law overhauling control of the Gainesville municipal utility. Judge Angela Dempsey held a hearing on competing motions by the city and the state for summary judgment in the case filed …
Read More »The state university system Board of Governors moves forward with carrying out a new restroom rule
The state university system Board of Governors on Wednesday took a step in carrying out a controversial new law that includes requiring designation of restrooms for “exclusive use by females” and “exclusive use by males.” Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law in May, amid a series of measures in Florida …
Read More »Redistricting fight teed up in federal court
TALLAHASSEE — As the state appeals a Leon County circuit judge’s ruling that a congressional redistricting plan violated the Florida Constitution, another battle about the plan is poised to play out in federal court. A three-judge panel of federal judges is scheduled next week to start hearing arguments in a …
Read More »State seeks to toss out resident lawsuit against GRU law
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top state officials are urging a federal judge to toss out a constitutional challenge to a new law aimed at overhauling the municipal utility in the Gainesville area. Lawyers for DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Monday …
Read More »Federal appeal of Florida education law put on hold
TALLAHASSEE — A federal appeals court has put on hold a battle about a 2022 Florida law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, after attorneys said they were in settlement talks. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week issued a stay of an …
Read More »Both sides in redistricting case seek fast track to state Supreme Court
TALLAHASSEE — Seeking a final ruling before the legislative session starts in January, both sides in a battle over a congressional redistricting plan asked an appeals court Friday to fast-track the case to the Florida Supreme Court. The joint request by attorneys for the state and voting-rights groups was expected: …
Read More »Redistricting appeal could go on fast track to Florida Supreme Court
TALLAHASSEE — A state appeal has put on hold a circuit judge’s ruling that a congressional redistricting plan violated the Florida Constitution, as the case could be on a fast track to the state Supreme Court. Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Florida House and Senate filed a notice …
Read More »Florida, other states want to move forward with flood insurance lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE — Florida and other states are trying to fend off an attempt by the Biden administration to end a lawsuit challenging changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners. Attorneys for 10 states and local government agencies in Louisiana filed …
Read More »Prosecutors urge prison sentence for former Rep. Joe Harding
With a sentencing hearing scheduled Sept. 11, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that former state Rep. Joe Harding, R-Ocala, should be sent to prison for fraudulently applying for business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Joseph Harding is a businessman and former member of the Florida House of …
Read More »State Board of Education approves a college bathroom rule
Florida public colleges will be required to update policies on restrooms and changing rooms to have separate facilities “based on biological sex at birth,” under a rule approved Wednesday by the State Board of Education. The rule, which applies to the 28 schools in the state college system, stems from …
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