The longest-serving member and co-chair of the Florida Congressional Delegation, Alcee Hastings, has succumbed to pancreatic cancer a the age of 84.
Alcee Hastings’ death will require a special election to replace him in Washington, and Governor Ron DeSantis must set the dates for that election. All the affected voters live in two of the state’s largest counties: Broward and Palm Beach. Steve Bousquet gives us a preview of what’s likely to happen next.
A bill to determine the sports eligibility for transgender women is now headed to the Florida House floor. Kevin Del Orbe reports on the controversial measure stirring debate in the realms of biology, discrimination and personal rights.
Proposed legislation aimed at curbing the influence of America’s international adversaries in the realm of higher education is on the Florida Legislature’s “to-do” list. Governor Ron DeSantis has touted the measure as a necessary barrier against intellectual property theft. Valerie Crowder reports the House version of the bill passed its committee hearing this (Tuesday) morning.
For years, Florida has had a backlog of thousands of sexual assault kits waiting to be tested. The collection of DNA samples and evidence can be used to catch offenders or link one rape to another as law enforcement builds a case. Failing to test them in a timely manner keeps that process from moving forward and leaves victims to wonder and worry. A bill moving through the legislature aims to keep backlogs from forming again and also to keep victims informed by creating a tracking system.
Florida lawmakers are once again considering a proposal to change how alimony and child sharing is handled in divorce cases. Robbie Gaffney reports a group of family law attorneys are against the proposal.
Officials in Manatee County say a drone discovered a possible second breach at the Piney Point gypsum stacks late yesterday. From Tampa’s WMNF, Daniel Figueroa IV reports a full, catastrophic collapse remains a possibility, even as crews double efforts to drain contaminated water into Tampa Bay.