Author: News Service of Florida

By DARA KAM
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court this week issued explosive decisions that rolled back decades of legal precedents and set in motion a dramatic restriction on abortion while paving the way for an electoral clash over abortion rights in November.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on perhaps the highest-profile bill of the 2024 legislative session means many teens in Florida could be prohibited from opening social media accounts starting next year — but legal challenges are sure to follow.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE —Closing the book on a legal fight that drew national attention, the state and attorneys for a group of parents, educators and students reached a settlement in a battle over a 2022 law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE —The 2024 session came to a close on time, with lawmakers approving a $117.46 billion spending plan to finalize a session that the Senate president touted as targeting “kitchen-table issues” and the House speaker said “addressed the real needs of Floridians.”

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE —With just days left in the 2024 legislative session, House and Senate budget negotiators are trying to bring a spending plan in for a landing while bills are hurtling toward the finish line.

News Service of Florida

The state Judicial Qualifications Commission said last week that a North Florida judge has resigned, ending a case about alleged misconduct.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature this week passed a bill that is designed to keep minors under 16 from being on social-media platforms, this year’s top priority of the House speaker.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

Amid concerns about the constitutionality of a bill that would restrict the use of social media by minors in Florida, a key Senate panel this week backed changes to the measure that one supporter said are “about the features” of the platforms.

By RYAN DAILEY
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — An effort to restrict what flags can be flown at schools and other public buildings flailed in the Florida Senate this week, after a key committee adjourned before members voted on the proposal.