The newest Guardians of our galaxy will not come from outer space. Rather, they will come from closer to home — Florida. And the location at Patrick Space Force Base near Cape Canaveral for the U.S. Space for Training Readiness Command is expected to bring significant uplift to the central …
Read More »LGBTQ advocates decry Florida legislation at pride month town hall
June marks the celebration of National Pride Month, and on Thursday more than 200 people filled Gainesville’s only LGBTQ bar, The University Club, for a panel discussion. The panel spoke about legislation affecting LGBTQ people in Florida, including those related to the expansion of what critics called the “Don’t Say …
Read More »Trump and DeSantis jab at each other on campaign trail in 1st dueling appearances as 2024 candidates
LACONIA, N.H. — Former President Donald Trump kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of his chief rival Ron DeSantis on Thursday, jumping immediately on remarks by the Florida governor on the campaign trail to try to highlight his own strength as the leading GOP presidential candidate. Trump, appearing in …
Read More »Elections bill draws First Amendment challenges
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 »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 »DeSantis signs bills targeting drag shows, transgender kids and the use of bathrooms and pronouns
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bills Wednesday that ban gender-affirming care for minors, target drag shows, restrict discussion of personal pronouns in schools and force people to use certain bathrooms. DeSantis has made anti-LGBTQ+ legislation a large part of his agenda as he prepares to seek the …
Read More »Small details fill Florida’s big state budget
The budget includes $1.75 million for a meat-processing and training facility in Newberry.
Read More »