Months of criticism against the state’s standardized testing systems has culminated in the Florida Department of Education’s call for a review. Lynn Hatter reports throughout the year parents and school districts have raised concerns that the state is not prepared for massive changes going into effect this school year.
Florida is one of eleven states requiring that both parties know when their conversation is being recorded and also consent to that recording. At least one lawmaker has followed through on an abuse survivor’s vow to make sure legislation was filed to allow young victims to use private recordings in sex abuse cases. Sascha Cordner reports it follows a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling that will now allow a man convicted of abusing his stepdaughter to get a new trial, after she taped an incriminating conversation without his consent.
The Legislature’s top priority – in fact, their only “must do” priority each year – is the state budget. But along the way, Governor Rick Scott and Legislative leaders will try to bend the House and Senate to their will and their own top priorities as we hear from Jim Ash.
‘Twas the Day after Christmas and all through the Florida State House, not a lawmaker was stirring not even (we assume) Clearwater Republican Representative Chris Sprowls. But as Regan McCarthy reports the lobbyists were busy readying their priority lists with the hope legislative leaders would fulfill their every wish.
Craft-brewing in Florida is big business getting bigger, but many within the community are unhappy about a certain size restriction. In Florida it is legal to fill large bottles known as ‘growlers’—just not in the industry-standard size of 64 ounces. Nick Evans reports the craft brewing community is mobilizing again this year to get rid of the size regulation.
Florida is a seething hotbed of college football bowl games this year. A total of eight such games, which began in Miami back on Monday of this week and will wind up in Jacksonville on January second. Most of the bowls are fairly well known to fans. But Lottie Watts with member station WUSF in Tampa tells us one game – which is being played tonight, by the way – has a new name, which officials and fans hope will be more or less permanent.