News Service of Florida – Page 4

Weekly Roundup: A ‘Life dedicated to serving’ the state

Posted onJanuary 8, 2025January 8, 2025AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM SAUNDERS
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Former Florida Gov. Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, who was thrust into the state’s top executive office in 1998 because of the death of Lawton Chiles, died peacefully during an afternoon nap on New Year’s Eve surrounded by his wife and sons.

New year brings 10 new state laws

Posted onJanuary 1, 2025December 31, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

Social media restrictions for children is one change, but it be immediately enforced

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

A smattering of new state laws will arrive with the new year, but the highest-profile change — restricting access to social media for children — will not be immediately enforced.

Weekly Roundup: Sex, drugs and money

Posted onJanuary 1, 2025December 31, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM SAUNDERS
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – It was a holiday-week news bomb.
The U.S. House Committee on Ethics released a report Monday alleging that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz “regularly” paid women for sex, used illegal drugs and violated state laws.

Weekly Roundup: Sunset for Dreamers?

Posted onDecember 25, 2024December 24, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM SAUNDERS
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, one of the most closely watched issues will be his vow to crack down on undocumented immigrants.

Weekly Roundup: Filling up the bench?

Posted onDecember 18, 2024December 18, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Florida senators returned to the Capitol this week to receive overviews as they prepare for the 2025 legislative session.
A big part of their job during the session will be to craft a budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1. And the Florida Supreme Court added to the budget puzzle this week when it called for creating 50 new judgeships across the state.

Senators start filing bills for 2025 session

Posted onDecember 4, 2024December 10, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – State senators are off to a quick start filing bills as they gear up for the 2025 legislative session, which begins March 4.

Weekly Roundup: Musical Florida chairs

Posted onNovember 27, 2024November 27, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – PFloridians got a first glimpse early week at what the Republican-controlled Legislature will be like for the next two years.
But by week’s end, it was a swap of Floridians on the national stage that drew headlines.

Weekly Roundup: Administration gets Florida flavor

Posted onNovember 20, 2024November 20, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – President-elect Donald Trump looked to his adopted home state as he quickly started to fill in his administration, with Floridians drawing key appointments and some gasps.

5 takeaways from last week’s election

Posted onNovember 13, 2024November 12, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

Republicans had a great night. Democrats? Not so much. And 60 is a magic number in Florida. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s elections:

Rural, panhandle counties voted no on Amendment 4

Posted onNovember 13, 2024November 12, 2024AuthorNews Service of Florida

News Service of Florida

While it had widespread support in urban areas, a ballot proposal that would have enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution ran into opposition last week in rural and Northwest Florida counties, according to data posted on the state Division of Elections website.