TALLAHASSEE — After Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a major elections bill Wednesday, legal battles immediately began about new restrictions on voter-registration groups. Organizations such as the League of Women Voters of Florida, the NAACP and Hispanic Federation filed three federal lawsuits arguing that the restrictions violate First Amendment rights and …
Read More »Duke Energy Florida reaches milestone; One gigawatt of energy thanks to High Springs solar facility
HIGH SPRINGS — Thanks to a renewable energy center in High Springs, one Florida energy company reached a big clean energy milestone. Duke Energy Florida surpassed one gigawatt of renewable energy, or over 1,000 megawatts. To put that into perspective, that amount can power around 350,000 households according to Duke …
Read More »County commissioners approve list of roads for construction
Construction may be coming to a road near you. The Alachua County Commission approved the list of roads and sites throughout the county that are part of the Transportation Capital Improvement Program at a meeting on Tuesday. This program was first introduced to the county commission in 2021 and has …
Read More »State Pushes Back on Transgender Athletes Rule
The State Board of Education on Wednesday adopted a statement condemning a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Education that is geared toward allowing transgender athletes to participate on teams consistent with their gender identity. The proposed rule would apply to schools that receive federal education money. It deals …
Read More »NAACP issues travel advisory for Florida: “open hostility” toward African Americans
The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida Saturday, citing recent legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The civil rights organization describes recent legislation as a “relentless and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights” against African Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. “We will not allow our rights …
Read More »Signature Deadline Nears for Disaster, ‘Freedom’ Holidays
TALLAHASSEE — Retailers are awaiting action by Gov. Ron DeSantis as two of the six sales tax “holiday” periods included in a nearly $1 billion proposed tax-relief package are scheduled to begin this weekend. Key components of the tax package (HB 7063) include a 14-day period in which sales taxes …
Read More »Gainesville Human Rights Board perseveres amid cancellations
After months of canceled meetings and missing members, the Gainesville Human Rights Board has begun to find its footing this year. Of the 29 Gainesville city advisory boards, the Human Rights Board is one of the two sole quasi-judicial boards, meaning it can hear legal cases and enforce rulings. It …
Read More »Sen. Rick Scott laying the groundwork for re-election campaign
U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is rallying supporters as he organizes his first legislative re-election campaign. He announced in January his plans to seek a second term in 2024. Scott was in Gainesville Monday morning, speaking to Republican party officials and supporters. He updated them on issues in Washington, D.C., …
Read More »Former death row inmates slam new Florida law making it easier to impose capital punishment
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With Florida making it easier for juries to impose the death sentence, two formerly condemned inmates who are still behind bars are warning that the change gives too much power over life and death to elected prosecutors. Their concerns are at odds with some families of murder …
Read More »Florida lawmakers ban political ‘loyalty’ tests at state colleges and universities
Senate sponsor Keith Perry. R-Gainesville, and other bill supporters have cited an example of the University of Florida College of Medicine using what they characterize as political loyalty tests.
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