State

Agency for Health Care Administration published two rules that apply to hospitals and abortion clinics. The rules came a day after the six-week law took effect, significantly restricting abortion access in the state. Submitted

Agency for Health Care Administration published two rules that apply to hospitals and abortion clinics. The rules came a day after the six-week law took effect, significantly restricting abortion access in the state. Submitted

State of Florida issues abortion rules

With a law now in effect preventing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, Florida health-care regulators Thursday released emergency rules related to treating medical conditions that pose dangers to the lives of pregnant women or unborn children.
Gov. Ron DeSantis. File photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis. File photo

Home-hardening funding sent to DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis has received a proposal that would pump another $200 million into a home-hardening grant program designed to help reduce property-insurance costs. The measure (SB 7028), was passed during the 2024 legislative session that ended last month.
Florida State University’s football team plays at Doak Campbell Stadium. File photo

Florida State University’s football team plays at Doak Campbell Stadium. File photo

Judge refuses to halt FSU-ACC case

A Leon County circuit judge Tuesday refused to put on hold a lawsuit filed by Florida State University against the Atlantic Coast Conference, as a big-money battle between the university and its longtime conference continues to play out in two states.
Gov. Ron DeSantis. File photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis. File photo

Revised abortion ’statement’ sought, theft law OK’d

Lawsuit seeks revised abortion ‘statement’ After two Florida Supreme Court rulings last week, backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure abortion rights have filed a lawsuit over a “financial impact statement” that would be presented to voters.
Hurricane Michael caused massive damage in Northwest Florida in 2018. File photo

Hurricane Michael caused massive damage in Northwest Florida in 2018. File photo

‘Very, very busy’ hurricane season eyed

Floridians received a second reminder Thursday to brace for a busy 2024 hurricane season, as Colorado State University researchers issued a forecast pointing to warm Atlantic Ocean water that fuels storms.
Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed plan through the Legislature in 2022, saying opponents did not prove lawmakers acted with “racially discriminatory purpose.” File photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed plan through the Legislature in 2022, saying opponents did not prove lawmakers acted with “racially discriminatory purpose.” File photo

Federal judges uphold redistricting plan

A three-judge federal panel Wednesday rejected a constitutional challenge to a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature in 2022, saying opponents did not prove lawmakers acted with “racially discriminatory purpose.
House Speaker Paul Renner expressed confidence that a new social-media law will withstand a First Amendment challenge. Colin Hackley/File

House Speaker Paul Renner expressed confidence that a new social-media law will withstand a First Amendment challenge. Colin Hackley/File

Social media bill signed as legal fight looms

With the state preparing for a legal challenge from the tech industry, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a high-profile bill aimed at keeping children off social-media platforms.
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is the ranking Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee.  Submitted

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is the ranking Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee. Submitted

Backroom briefing: Passing grade

Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani, the ranking Democratic member of the House House Ways & Means Committee, gave a “B” to a tax package that passed this month. That was mostly because she said the package (HB 7073), which will trim state and local revenue by $439.
Florida State’s football team plays at Doak Campbell Stadium. News Service of Florida/Tom Urban

Florida State’s football team plays at Doak Campbell Stadium. News Service of Florida/Tom Urban

Florida State fires back in ACC fight

With a hearing scheduled April 9, Florida State University this week fired back at a request by the Atlantic Coast Conference to put on hold — or dismiss — a lawsuit that could lead to FSU leaving the athletic conference. FSU filed the lawsuit Dec.