Fresh Take Florida

Fresh Take Florida is a news service producing top-caliber investigative and political content. Hard-hitting coverage generally focuses on Florida’s state government, including the Legislature, or other issues of statewide, regional or national interest. Stories are also distributed to Florida’s largest news organizations and more broadly under distribution agreements with The Associated Press, CNN, the Florida Public Radio Network, Gatehouse/Gannett, Tribune Media Company, McClatchy Co. and TEGNA. Click here to donate to support Fresh Take Florida’s reporters.

Military mystery: Who stole tons of valuable ammunition brass from Army’s top helicopter gun range? Feds focus on Florida man

The thief, wearing camouflage gear and gloves, crept through the woods onto the Army base in southern Alabama where most of the U.S. military’s helicopter pilots train. His objective: Collecting sandbags he had filled with used 30 mm brass shell casings from the attack helicopters flying and firing over the …

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Florida fines largest Medicaid payment vendor nearly $9.1 million over billing glitches

Florida fined its largest Medicaid payment vendor nearly $9.1 million over software problems that delayed payments for nearly three months for tens of thousands of health-care claims for the state’s sickest and neediest children, the government’s health regulator said Wednesday. In a letter to the CEO of Sunshine State Health …

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‘Slaves built the Capitol’: Advocate for abandoned Black cemeteries criticizes Florida senators

A leading advocate for abandoned Black cemeteries sharply criticized Florida lawmakers for killing a bill that would have helped identify, protect and restore burial grounds across the state. “I want to know, many of these legislators, where are they from?” asked Gloria Jefferson Anderson, who is leading the cemetery restoration …

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After emotional debate, GOP-led Florida Senate passes ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill,’ awaits DeSantis’ signature

The Florida Senate on Tuesday gave final passage to a bill that would restrict classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and the measure now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it.  The Parental Rights in Education bill – what critics have labeled the “Don’t …

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‘Rape loophole’: Florida bill raising penalty for sexual assault against intoxicated victims dying in Legislature

A bill with bipartisan support aimed at protecting college students by increasing penalties against those who sexually assault intoxicated victims is dying as Florida’s legislative session comes to a close. The measure would have raised the penalty for raping a woman who had become drunk at a bar while celebrating …

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