The News Service of Florida

Amid a national worker shortage, state agencies are struggling to fill vacant positions and retain employees, including those who care for some of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

Florida lawmakers moved forward Tuesday with a plan that would connect playing the national anthem at sports events to state and local dollars.

Senators have revived a proposal to create a $1 billion fund that Gov. Ron DeSantis could use at his discretion during emergencies he declares.

The Florida Legislature is making a return trip to vacation rental legislation. For years, lawmakers have tried to determine how much say municipalities should have in regulating such properties.

Tax credits of up to $2 million for film, television, and digital media productions drew support from senators on Monday as part of an effort to make Florida more attractive to the entertainment industry.

Attorney General Ashley Moody has asked the Florida Supreme Court to scrutinize a proposed constitutional amendment that would open the door to casinos in North Florida. A political committee backing the measure has surpassed the required number of signatures to start the review process.

Legislative leaders are monitoring the spike in COVID-19 infections across Florida but haven’t made plans to reimpose restrictions on public access that were used during the last legislative session. With the 2022 session starting January 11, people will be allowed to roam most of the Capitol complex and address lawmakers in person.

First-time unemployment claims in Florida rolled in last month at a pace similar to the period before the coronavirus pandemic pounded the economy.

The Florida Supreme Court will take up a legal battle about whether a 2018 constitutional amendment known as “Marsy’s Law” can shield the identities of police officers.

Unemployment continues to slowly improve in Florida as the state gets closer to regaining the number of jobs lost when the COVID-19 pandemic caused business closures and layoffs last year.