TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill eliminating a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences. The new law took effect immediately and represents a major change in Florida’s death-penalty system. Lawmakers moved forward with the issue after Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to …
Read More »Gainesville drag community wary of Florida drag ban bill
Performers and venues worry about the implications — but believe that drag will survive For Gainesville-based drag queen Star Shine, drag has always been connected with family. Star, who asked to use her stage name out of fear for losing her job, was first introduced to drag by her mother …
Read More »The Point, April 20, 2023: House committee approves GRU control bill
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: GRU control bill gets House committee approval. “The House State Affairs Committee approved Representative Chuck Clemons’ bill giving the state of Florida control of Gainesville Regional Utilities on Wednesday.” • …
Read More »Senate committee approves increased electricity bills for natural gas expansion
The Senate Rules Committee approved a bill Wednesday allowing utility companies to raise electricity bills so they can pass along the cost of building renewable natural gas facilities. SB 1162 would allow utility companies to purchase and use natural gas and hydrogen as fuel sources for electricity. This would help …
Read More »Hit snooze: Bills would delay middle, high school start times
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When McKenzie McAliley, a senior at Atlantic Community High in Delray Beach along Florida’s East Coast, took the bus to school, she would wake up at 5 a.m. and walk to the bus stop in the dark. McAliley, 18, now drives to school but must wake just …
Read More »Gainesville organizations react to proposed bills targeting illegal immigration
Danielle Chanzes, the Florida Immigrant Coalition organizer for north central Florida, said she worries about anyone qualifying as a criminal if proposed House Bill 1617 and Senate Bill 1718 get signed into law. These bills were proposed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia and Rep. Kiyan Michael and specifically target unlawful immigration. …
Read More »‘Radioactive roads’? Environmentalists want brakes on Florida plan to reuse toxic mining waste
MULBERRY, Fla. – With much less notice than the Florida abortion, guns and education culture wars, a battle between environmentalists and a Fortune 500 mining giant is playing out in Tallahassee that critics fear could have devastating long-term health consequences. On one side is Mosaic Inc., a Tampa-based mining and …
Read More »The future of abortion rights in Florida hinges on a state Supreme Court decision
TALLAHASSEE — A seismic shift in abortion rights could be coming in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday signed a measure to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. But whether the six-week limit goes forward will hinge on a case before the state Supreme Court. The Republican-dominated House …
Read More »The Point, April 14, 2023: DeSantis signs 6-week abortion ban
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Abortion rights activists lament six-week abortion ban approved by Florida Legislature. “Senate Bill 300, a bill sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach), provides exceptions to the six-week ban for …
Read More »Abortion rights activists lament six-week abortion ban approved by Florida Legislature
Senate Bill 300, sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach), includes a $25 million allocation to fund crisis pregnancy centers throughout the state.
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