State

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.
Victims of abuse at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and supporters watched Monday as the Florida Senate approved a compensation program. Photo by Tom Urban/News Service of Florida

Victims of abuse at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and supporters watched Monday as the Florida Senate approved a compensation program. Photo by Tom Urban/News Service of Florida

'Other end of the tunnel' for Dozier victims

Wiping away tears, men in their 60s, 70s and 80s watched Monday as the Florida Senate unanimously gave final approval to a plan to steer $20 million to survivors of abuse at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna and another state reform school.
With a Friday deadline looming, House Speaker Paul Renner said Wednesday that he and Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to work out differences on a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social-media platforms. File photo

With a Friday deadline looming, House Speaker Paul Renner said Wednesday that he and Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to work out differences on a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social-media platforms. File photo

Renner, DeSantis look at social media ‘alternatives’

With a Friday deadline looming, House Speaker Paul Renner said Wednesday that he and Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to work out differences on a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social-media platforms. “We’re looking at alternatives and what we can do together,” Renner told reporters.