Despite having to chop a billion dollars from the new state budget, Governor Ron DeSantis did sign a bill that gives the state’s teachers - especially those new to the profession - a salary boost. More from Gina Jordan.
After years of voter disenfranchisement, Floridians finally had enough in 2018. That year, voters approved a state constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to most felons. The Legislature attempted to stymie that effort by passing a state law requiring convicted felons to repay fines, fees and outstanding restitution. A lawsuit ensued with organizations like the ACLU claiming the law amounted to a poll tax. Republican lawmakers defended it. Blaise Gainey takes a look at what’s happened with the amendment since it passed and the growing urgency to sign up the voters it empowers in advance of the August primary election.
In the weeks since a Tallahassee Police Department officer shot and killed Tony McDade, his name has been mentioned in the same breath as Breonna Taylor’s and George Floyd’s - those who have become symbols of police brutality and racial inequity. McDade has become a symbol of violence against transgender people as well. McDade was a transgender man. Much of the media attention on McDade has lost focus on one main thing: moments before being shot by police, McDade killed 21-year old Malik Jackson. Now, as Lynn Hatter reports, Jackson’s family is fighting to tell their story. And a note for our listeners: this story contains language some may find disturbing or offensive. And while Tony McDade identified as a transgender man and we are referring to him using masculine pronouns, the people who speak of him knew him as a woman often used female pronouns, as well as calling him “Natosha”, his dead name.
As decreasing revenue caused by the coronavirus made it clear the governor would have to make cuts to the new fiscal year budget, many worried the state’s affordable housing funds would be on the chopping block. Regan McCarthy reports while those cuts did come, officials are hoping funding from the federal government will help fill the gap.
With Fourth of July fireworks shows being canceled to stop large gatherings and prevent COVID-19 from spreading, the American Pyrotechnics Association is expecting more people than ever to buy their own fireworks and light them off at home. Retailers are already seeing more people come in earlier to buy fireworks. And as Robbie Gaffney reports, local officials are urging families to take safety precautions so no one gets hurt.