Florida school districts that mandated masks could lose $200M in state funding under GOP plan
Florida lawmakers in the House want to shift $200 million in funding away from the 12 school districts — including Hillsborough and Sarasota — that required students to wear masks last year, defying Gov. DeSantis' executive order banning mask mandates.
Florida lawmakers in the House want to shift $200 million in funding away from the 12 school districts — including Hillsborough and Sarasota — that required students to wear masks last year, defying Gov. DeSantis' executive order banning mask mandates.
Florida failed to pay health claims for sick, needy children for months
Florida failed for nearly three months to pay tens of thousands of health care claims for the state’s sickest and neediest children due to software glitches blamed on the corporate merger of its two largest payment vendors -- leaving families with critically ill children stranded when those payments stopped.
Florida failed for nearly three months to pay tens of thousands of health care claims for the state’s sickest and neediest children due to software glitches blamed on the corporate merger of its two largest payment vendors -- leaving families with critically ill children stranded when those payments stopped.
Democratic lawmakers want to suspend federal gas tax to combat rising prices
Several Democratic senators are calling for suspending the federal gas tax for the rest of the year to help consumers struggling with rising fuel prices. If passed, the bill would save drivers 18 cents a gallon. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to do the same with the state's gas tax.
Several Democratic senators are calling for suspending the federal gas tax for the rest of the year to help consumers struggling with rising fuel prices. If passed, the bill would save drivers 18 cents a gallon. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to do the same with the state's gas tax.
Florida's surgeon general refuses to say if he's vaccinated
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo refused to say whether he has received a COVID vaccine during a tense second confirmation hearing after one senator asked, "Is there a reason why you just can't come out and say that you believe vaccines are a very important step for prevention?"
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo refused to say whether he has received a COVID vaccine during a tense second confirmation hearing after one senator asked, "Is there a reason why you just can't come out and say that you believe vaccines are a very important step for prevention?"
Proposed laws stir up controversy as they move through Florida's Legislature
The proposed laws range from restricting curriculum related to critical race theory, election laws, and security and abortion rights. Many of the laws have been positioned as protections for the rights of parents, the unborn, and democratic processes, but the bills' opponents say the so-called protections may do more harm than good.
The proposed laws range from restricting curriculum related to critical race theory, election laws, and security and abortion rights. Many of the laws have been positioned as protections for the rights of parents, the unborn, and democratic processes, but the bills' opponents say the so-called protections may do more harm than good.
Gov. DeSantis, AG Moody hold roundtable discussion on immigration
Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez held a roundtable discussion on immigration in Miami at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez held a roundtable discussion on immigration in Miami at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora.
Ex-supervisor wouldn't endorse Ladapo as Florida's top doctor
A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state's health department during a background check, records show.
A former supervisor of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo declined to recommend Ladapo to lead the state's health department during a background check, records show.
DeSantis proposes 'Patients' Bill of Rights' after pandemic shut loved ones out of hospitals
As COVID-19 spread rapidly at the start of the pandemic, medical facilities across the country went into lockdown mode, leaving those battling the virus to fight alone. Florida's governor wants to prevent that from happening in the future.
As COVID-19 spread rapidly at the start of the pandemic, medical facilities across the country went into lockdown mode, leaving those battling the virus to fight alone. Florida's governor wants to prevent that from happening in the future.
Trump's heir? Some supporters eye DeSantis as 2024 alternative
As former President Donald Trump aims for a political comeback, there appears to be an emerging shift among the MAGA faithful, with some beginning to concede that there might be better options -- with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis topping the list.
As former President Donald Trump aims for a political comeback, there appears to be an emerging shift among the MAGA faithful, with some beginning to concede that there might be better options -- with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis topping the list.
Separate 'Nazi' protests held in central Florida over the weekend
More than a dozen self-proclaimed Nazis yelled antisemitic slogans outside an Orlando-area shopping plaza and waved a swastika flag from an I-4 overpass before authorities broke them up over the weekend.
More than a dozen self-proclaimed Nazis yelled antisemitic slogans outside an Orlando-area shopping plaza and waved a swastika flag from an I-4 overpass before authorities broke them up over the weekend.
Doctors offer differing opinions on DeSantis and monoclonal antibody treatments
Governor Ron DeSantis called out the FDA’s decision to stop the two most common monoclonal antibody treatments, inviting southwest Florida doctors and patients Wednesday to share how monoclonal antibodies recently helped them fight COVID-19.
Governor Ron DeSantis called out the FDA’s decision to stop the two most common monoclonal antibody treatments, inviting southwest Florida doctors and patients Wednesday to share how monoclonal antibodies recently helped them fight COVID-19.
Ladapo moves on to next step in surgeon general confirmation process after Democrats walk out of hearing
Florida Democrats walked out of a contentious Senate committee hearing, refusing to vote on the confirmation of state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, because they said he wasn't answering their questions. After the walkout, Republicans voted unanimously to back his confirmation, which ultimately needs approval from the full Senate.
Florida Democrats walked out of a contentious Senate committee hearing, refusing to vote on the confirmation of state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, because they said he wasn't answering their questions. After the walkout, Republicans voted unanimously to back his confirmation, which ultimately needs approval from the full Senate.
DeSantis blasts FDA for halting monoclonal antibody deemed ineffective against omicron
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for COVID patients to continue receiving monoclonal antibody treatments deemed ineffective against the omicron variant, vowing to fight White House health regulators in his latest feud with President Biden.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for COVID patients to continue receiving monoclonal antibody treatments deemed ineffective against the omicron variant, vowing to fight White House health regulators in his latest feud with President Biden.
Florida first lady Casey DeSantis completes final chemotherapy treatment, governor says
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, has just finished her final chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, has just finished her final chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
DeSantis pushes bill to shield white Floridians from 'discomfort' when learning about discrimination, racism
A bill pushed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prohibit public schools and private businesses from making white people feel “discomfort” when they teach students or train employees about discrimination in the nation's past received its first approval Tuesday.
A bill pushed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prohibit public schools and private businesses from making white people feel “discomfort” when they teach students or train employees about discrimination in the nation's past received its first approval Tuesday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis submits redistricting map proposal
Gov. DeSantis has submitted a proposal to reshape the state’s congressional map. His general counsel issued a statement saying there are “legal concerns” with the current maps under consideration..
Gov. DeSantis has submitted a proposal to reshape the state’s congressional map. His general counsel issued a statement saying there are “legal concerns” with the current maps under consideration..
DeSantis would have been 'much louder' if he knew early on feds would shut down the country
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis says he regrets not speaking out even more forcefully against a federal COVID-19 lockdown early on during the pandemic in 2020, saying he didn't understand how extensive the measures would become.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis says he regrets not speaking out even more forcefully against a federal COVID-19 lockdown early on during the pandemic in 2020, saying he didn't understand how extensive the measures would become.
DeSantis signals support for ban on abortions after 15 weeks in Florida
New legislative proposals that seek to prevent doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy were met with swift opposition Wednesday from Democrats and abortion-rights groups.
New legislative proposals that seek to prevent doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy were met with swift opposition Wednesday from Democrats and abortion-rights groups.
DeSantis touts Florida's 'freedom' from COVID mandates, lockdowns during State of the State speech
In his "State of the State" address, Gov. DeSantis referred to Florida being a free state 10 times during the 33-minute speech. "Freedom works. Our economy is the envy of the nation," he said. “Florida has become the escape hatch for those chafing under authoritarian, arbitrary and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions."
In his "State of the State" address, Gov. DeSantis referred to Florida being a free state 10 times during the 33-minute speech. "Freedom works. Our economy is the envy of the nation," he said. “Florida has become the escape hatch for those chafing under authoritarian, arbitrary and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions."
Update: State sending COVID-19 tests to senior facilities
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday the state is shipping about 1 million at-home coronavirus tests to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, with the kits set to arrive over the weekend.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday the state is shipping about 1 million at-home coronavirus tests to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, with the kits set to arrive over the weekend.