Florida House bill amendment would allow schools to 'out' students to their parents

Florida’s so-called "Don’t Say Gay" bill includes a new proposed amendment that would force schools to out students about their sexual orientation to their parents, causing more concern from those in the LGBTQ community.

Sarasota neighborhoods 'Unite Against Hate' after anti-Semitic incident

Neighbors are rallying together after anti-Semitic fliers were littered in several Sarasota neighborhoods. They refused to stay silent. Instead, they passed out yard signs reading "United Against Hate." An action intended to cause hurt is being met with solidarity.

As more erased cemeteries are discovered, lawmakers move to preserve and honor history

Hillsborough County commissioners learned of 45 new unmarked graves and burial sites on county property Wednesday, just as the state legislature considered a bill that would find and save those sites across Florida. 

USF forensic researchers rediscover 45 lost cemeteries in Hillsborough County

USF forensic scientist Dr. Erin Kimmerle says she spent the last two years combing through historic records to track down the long-forgotten sites. The cemeteries became abandoned for a variety of reasons but once lost from official records and built over, they are extremely difficult to relocate.

Victims' advocates praise end to forced arbitration in workplace sexual harassment cases

Democrats and Republicans in Congress passed a bill Thursday that ends forced arbitration of sexual harassment and assault claims in the workplace, a major milestone for the Me Too movement.

Goodell: NFL won’t tolerate racism, vows changes amid Dolphins fallout

At his annual Super Bowl news conference, the NFL commissioner was grilled on two hot topics that have put the league under heavy scrutiny: racism and discrimination in hiring.

Controversial 'don't say gay' bill gets approval from Florida's Senate Education Committee

A controversial bill in the Florida Legislature, dubbed the "don't say gay" bill by critics, has passed its first hurdle in the Senate after the Republican-dominated education committee voted to approve the measure along party lines.

Challenge to Florida's controversial transgender athlete ban put on hold

A challenge to a controversial state law that bans transgender females from participating on girls’ and women’s sports teams has been put on hold while another Florida case plays out in a federal appeals court.

Formerly segregated housing, affordable senior living complex opens in Newtown

Decades ago, a site in one of Sarasota’s oldest African American communities was segregated housing. Now, it's a new affordable housing complex for seniors. Sarasota contributed more than $1.3 million in penny sales tax funds to make it happen. 

Tampa teen wins right to abortion without parental consent

A Tampa teen has won her appeal in district court for the right to talk to a doctor about, and ultimately have a medical abortion without parental consent. Her original request was denied by a judge, based partially on "either a lack of intelligence or credibility."

Home carrying legacy of Sarasota's first Black community to be relocated, transformed for cultural center

A home in Sarasota's Rosemary District will soon carry the legacy of the city’s first Black community. Plans are in the works to transform it into an African American cultural arts center and history museum, but first the home has to be relocated.

This MLK Day comes with calls for progress on voting rights

Dr. King's children fear new voting laws enacted since the 2020 election are stripping away the very rights their father fought to attain.

Tampa leaders seek to protect historical burial sites from being developed

The city of Tampa announced new protections that are likely coming for forgotten and vulnerable cemeteries, many of which of historic African American burial sites.