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Capital Report: August 25, 2023

A state judge in Leon County will soon issue a ruling on whether to strike down Florida’s congressional district map after hearing final arguments in the case this week/ last week [THURS Aug. 24]. As Valerie Crowder reports, at issue is a former Black-held Democratic district in North Florida that the governor’s map eliminated in violation of the state constitution…

After a pandemic break, Florida is in a year-long process of removing some 900-thousand people from Medicaid who no longer qualify. About 400-thousand have been taken off so far - more than half of them because of hiccups in the process — not because they don't qualify. A lawsuit has been filed in an effort to halt the process.WLRN’s Veronica Zaragovia reports health advocates say Florida ranks among the worst in the nation for re-enrolling those who are eligible.

The State Board of Education has passed new rules that outline the conditions under which a contested school book or classroom materials can go before a magistrate. WFSU’s Lynn Hatter spoke with News Service of Florida’s Ryan Dailey about the latest moves in the state’s ongoing efforts to give parents greater say over what their children have access to in the state’s public schools.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed laws this year banning gender-affirming care for minors and making it harder for transgender adults to get medical care. WMNF’s Chris Young reports research shows such policies are driving LGBTQ people away.

Florida’s new immigration law has been in place for about a month and a half. WMFE’s Danielle Prieur (prior) takes a look at the law’s impact on undocumented students.

We’re in the statistical peak of hurricane season, and next month (9/28) is the first anniversary of Hurricane Ian's arrival in Southwest Florida. The storm briefly reached Category 5 status shortly before landfall, making it the most dangerous of storms. The state says nearly 150 people died in Ian's wake, but at least one death occurred about three months after the storm passed... due to mold exposure. In partnership with the science and news group Climate Central, WUSF's Jessica Meszaros tells us how wetter storms due to climate change mean more flooding, and therefore increased mold illness.

The deadly wildfire that raged in Hawaii earlier this month has put the idea of preventing wildfires in the national spotlight. WUSF's Steve Newborn takes us to Flatwoods Park, a recreation area and wellfield near New Tampa, to show how fire is being fought - with fire.