Joel Searby, the former leading advocate for converting Newberry public schools to charter schools, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for various child sex crimes.

He is the sixth person put to death in Florida this year, and another execution is scheduled for later this month.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected last-ditch appeals aimed at sparing convicted killer Anthony Wainwright, setting the stage for his execution Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison.

Construction on the building began in March of 2024 with the 11,500 square foot facility costing about $7 million, built to last over 50 years.

Plaintiffs have dropped a challenge to a Florida law that prevents strippers under age 21 from performing in adult-entertainment establishments.

Gainesville City Commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance on Thursday that moves the city forward to install red-light traffic cameras at two busy intersections.

Two people accused of lying in a case against convicted murderer Pedro Bravo were sentenced this week. Bravo was found dead in prison in March.

The law, dubbed by sponsors the “Protection of Children” bill, sought to prevent venues from admitting children to adult live performances.

“I’m not a perfect man,” said the newly elected vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, Jovanté Teague, “but I’m somebody who’s willing to do the job.”

Florida’s new Halo Law, the controversial statute intended to protect law enforcement from harassment, went into effect at the start of this year. Now the first people arrested and prosecuted under it say they were left in the dark.