A bill that would make it harder for members of the public to put proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot passed its first committee yesterday (Thursday.) Supporters say the measure helps fix a “broken system.” But as Tristan Wood reports, opponents worry it will have a “chilling effect” – keeping Floridians from engaging with the process.
Some Florida condo owners say they’re at risk of losing their homes. They’re struggling to pay rising fees and blame a recently passed law that was intended to make condos safer. Now lawmakers are filing bills to try to make condominium properties more affordable. Adrian Andrews Reports the plan is backed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
While Florida-based insurance companies were losing hundreds of millions of dollars between 2017 and 2019, their affiliate companies were making billions. That's around the time Hurricanes Irma and Michael hit. It also marks the beginning of the industry's latest financial crisis. A report commissioned by the state in 2022 shed light on this, and journalist Lawrence Mower [mao-err] recently uncovered it. He's the Tallahassee correspondent for The Tampa Bay Times and The Miami Herald. Mower told WUSF's Jessica Meszaros where all this revenue came from.
That was reporter Lawrence Mower speaking with WUSF's Jessica Meszaros. Since Florida's legislative session kicked off this week, the state House speaker has ordered hearings into this report's findings.
A bill is moving in the Florida Senate that would add a new way to serve bad actors who scam vulnerable adults -- via the online means by which they contacted their victims. Margie Menzel reports.
Members of the Florida National Guard have been assisting state prisons with chronic staff shortages for more than two years. It was supposed to be a temporary measure. But as WLRN’s Danny Rivero reports, the soldiers could be there for the long haul.
Governor Ron DeSantis has rejected a sweeping new management plan for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, claiming it weakens Florida rights in state waters. WLRN’s Jenny Staletovich reports the plan underwent repeated revisions and dozens of meetings that generated thousands of comments from the public.
Corporations are pumping billions into Florida's space industry, leading to unprecedented growth. Last year, Cape Canaveral hosted a record-setting 90 launches, with more than 1300 payloads. WGCU-TV's "Southwest Florida In Focus" host Sandra Viktorova ("vick-tor-OH-vah") was joined by Brendan Byrne, space reporter for Central Florida Public Media, to look at how the space program is changing and growing and what that means to Floridians.
Brendan Byrne, space reporter for Central Florida Public Media with WGCU-TV's "Southwest Florida In Focus" hosted by Sandra Viktorova ("vick-tor-OH-vah").