TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – An effort in Florida’s Legislature to repair and preserve abandoned and historic cemeteries throughout the state – including lost Black burial grounds – is making strides among lawmakers this year after similar measures stalled in 2022. The legislation over abandoned and historic cemeteries would enact recommendations …
Read More »House bill proposes to drop gun-buying age to 18
Republican Florida House of Representatives Bobby Payne, Palatka, and Tyler Sirois, Merritt Island, are cosponsoring HB 1543, which proposes to reduce the minimum age at which a person may purchase, sell or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. The measure is headed to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee for discussion March 13.
Read More »Students organize protests against Florida governor’s proposed changes to education diversity programs
College students across Florida are organizing a protest campaign against a new proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would remove degree programs that teach critical race theory and gender studies. “Students are rallying to reject House Bill 999,” said Bryan Gonzalez, a fourth-year political science student at Florida State …
Read More »Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session begins with lawmakers emphasizing on education changes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State Address on the first day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session on Tuesday, multiple proposals will be brought forth within the next couple of months. From bills dealing with issues on immigration to abortion, the one thing lawmakers agree …
Read More »The Point, March 8, 2023: DeSantis gives State of the State speech
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Ryan Chamberlin secures bid to general election for Florida House District 24 seat in crowded primary election. “Republican candidate Ryan Chamberlin won the primary election for the Florida House District …
Read More »‘Ain’t seen nothing yet’: DeSantis touts making Florida attractive destination, largely tempers firebrand style
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In his first State of the State speech since his re-election, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday touted his policies as making Florida an attractive destination with a booming economy. Widely expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination, the governor appeared to temper his firebrand style for …
Read More »The Point, March 7, 2023: UF Health reports increase in gender-affirming care to state
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • The Alligator: UF Health complies with state audit, reports increase in gender-affirming care patients. “UF reported a steady increase of patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who received gender-affirming care at UF …
Read More »Sunrise Movement Gainesville stages march for climate action
Shouting at the top of her lungs, “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, climate change has got to go,” while marching through Downtown Gainesville in the late afternoon heat, Madeline Stewart waved around a sign that read “Make Florida Green. You owe us.” Stewart, a 21-year-old University of Florida political science and …
Read More »The Point, March 6, 2023: Gainesville removes K-9 unit again
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Mainstreet Daily News: Gainesville again pulls police K-9 unit. “Two weeks after returning to regular duty, the K-9 squad at the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) will again leave regular service as the …
Read More »The Point, March 3, 2023: Lessons from a traffic stop bystander in Lawtey
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Lawtey police threatened to arrest a traffic stop bystander. What we can learn from the incident. “Lawtey Police Capt. Nathan Blom backed the officers’ response. He said (Jessica) Kreitzer could …
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