State News

Florida could soon be filing its own opioid abuse lawsuit against drug manufacturers. They’d be joining a long list of states, counties, and cities that have done the same.

More than 30 wildfires are burning across Florida, and at least three of them are still significant—burning thousands of acres.

Governor Rick Scott’s $89 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year has received its yearly report card from the nonprofit research institute TaxWatch. And, the group has recommendations.

Florida’s 1.3 million alligators inhabit all of the state’s 67 counties, and wildlife officials are urging the public to be careful around the reptiles. The warning comes as some gators are turning up in unlikely places.

Florida college students can take extra classes without having to worry about excess credit surcharges under a law signed by Gov. Rick Scott.

Are black students getting a voice in the gun violence debate, after the mass shooting that left 17 people dead in Parkland?

The Presidents of Florida’s 28 state colleges have unified in support of a Constitution Revision Commission proposal that recognizes the college system in the constitution. College system stakeholders feel the move is long overdue.

Judge Mark Walker’s decision on Florida’s felon voting rights process has breathed new life into the restoration debate. By declaring the process unconstitutional and giving Governor Rick Scott a deadline to create a new system, Walker has opened the door to many scenarios.

Florida health officials are warning about the dangers of sharing contact lenses.

In a YouTube video, the Florida Department of Health warns against sharing contact lenses, especially cosmetic ones. It starts off with one girl with brown eyes asking a friend to borrow her blue lenses, before they go out.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ends Saturday. And, Florida health officials want the public to be aware of the cancer that’s the second leading cause of death among men and women.

Florida prisoners will have new education opportunities under a law signed by Gov. Rick Scott. 

Federal District Court Judge Mark Walker has issued a deadline for Gov. Rick Scott to establish a new process for restoring ex-felons’ voting rights: April 26. 

Governor Rick Scott signed into law Tuesday a bill that expands workers’ compensation for first responders. 

The latest effort to reform Florida’s gun laws failed this week. It was in response to last month’s deadly mass school shooting in South Florida. As some clamored for an assault weapons ban and background checks, Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission refused to take up any measures that would do just that.

Will adding language that promotes civic literacy into the state constitution make Florida’s students more aware of their rights? A proposal to do just that is moving forward in the Constitution Revision Commission.

Four key Constitution Revision Commission proposals that could impact K-12 education are a step closer to being in front of voters in November.

The Florida Legislature has grown tired of the Department of Health’s lack of progress on medical marijuana rules. The frustration has led DOH to conduct a series of workshops to move forward on the issue. The most recent one focused on pesticide use. 

Governor Rick Scott and state lawmakers hope a new law will end fights between hospitals over establishing new trauma centers.  The law is a compromise between key players in Florida’s hospital industry.

Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio says the brother of the Parkland mass school shooter is a prime example of why other states should follow Florida and use gun violence protection orders. Rubio and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson are partnering on a “Red Flag” bill.

Governor Rick Scott says putting a likeness of Mary McLeod Bethune in National Statuary Hall is the right thing to do for Floridians. The activist could make history, if she replaces a Confederate General as one of two statues representing Florida in Washington D.C.

The Florida Legislature is out to protect its citizens’ phone lines from unwanted calls, texts and voicemails. Gov. Rick Scott has signed two bills that crack down on robocall solicitation. Both go into effect July 1.

Agriculture officials are warning Floridians to use caution due to significantly heightened wildfire risk. Dangerous conditions are present statewide.