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American Bar Association calls Barrett “well-qualified” but witness testimonies highlight what’s at stake
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is “well-qualified” to serve as justice in the highest court in the land, according to members of the American Bar Association — but witnesses at her hearing weren’t always convinced. After three days of often grueling testimony by senators on the U.S. Committee on the Judiciary, Thursday’s confirmation […]
More than 8,000 COVID-19 cases related to FL schools since early September
The state reported 1,557 new COVID-19 cases related to Florida schools last week, totaling 8,080 cases in a little over a month’s time as students, instructors and staff began the 2020-21 academic year. The data came from the Florida Department of Health, which began releasing weekly updates beginning Sept. 6 on the progress of COVID-19 […]
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Barrett avoids specific questions on abortion and other contentious issues
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett dodged detailed questions on landmark abortion cases that ensure women can have access to abortions. In what was an expected line of questioning on the second day of her confirmation hearing before the U.S. Committee on the Judiciary, Barrett said she has not made any commitment on how […]
“Gay or not — we are Americans and we should be protected;” members of FL’s LGBTQ community talk elections
In their early 50s, Lori Geist and Janette Wagner have been married for five years and together for 14 years. The two women live in St. Augustine. Geist works as a licensed message therapist while her wife is president of Capital City Bank for Putnam and St. Johns County. With the November election just a […]
Nearly 1,500 new COVID-19 cases related to schools last week; Miami-Dade kids returning to classrooms
The state reported nearly 1,500 more COVID-19 cases in a week’s time related to Florida’s public and private schools. That additional data creates a total of more than 6,000 school-related infections since early September. In an update of data from the Florida Department of Health, Floridians now have a better picture of how COVID-19 is […]
State health data: 189 teachers infected by the coronavirus
With headlines about thousands of students testing positive for COVID-19, new health data reveals that 189 teachers also have been infected — as well as 145 staff. Those figures include teachers at public schools, universities and community colleges and private schools, according to the Florida Department Health. The numbers covers Sept. 6 through Sept. 26. […]
As FL reports thousands of COVID cases in schools, Miami-Dade preps to open classrooms on Monday
Thousands of COVID-19 cases have emerged from Florida schools during the past three weeks, according to a report the Florida Department of Health released Tuesday. This news arrived on the heels of a decision by the Miami-Dade School District to begin reopening brick-and-mortar schools on Oct. 5, weeks ahead of the district’s previous plans. The […]
FL education commissioner intervenes again on school reopening — this time in Miami-Dade
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has conveyed “grave concerns” about the Miami-Dade school district’s plan to gradually reopen brick-and-mortar schools in a letter sent to the district. He “expects” the district to open brick-and-mortar schools by Oct. 5, he wrote, or submit a school-by-school analysis to justify keeping those schools closed. Writing on Friday, he […]
GENDER POLITICS: Women more likely to vote — and have more to lose — on Nov. 3
Shyanne Taylor works as an office manager for a physical therapy clinic in Wimauma, a little more than 30 minutes out from Tampa. She is 24 and lives with her two cats, Beans and Lily. A few years ago, she says, she couldn’t tell you the difference between a Democrat or Republican. Now she’s getting […]
FL’s Education Commissioner encourages “everyone” never to read The Washington Post and The New York Times
At a public board meeting, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said he would encourage everyone “never to read” The Washington Post or The New York Times. Those two storied newspapers — both launched in the 1800s — have won numerous Pulitzer Prizes over the years. But in a new era of “fake news” during the […]
FL’s rural school districts get money to expand student mental health services during COVID-19
The new academic school year continues to be a stressful time for students, with kids trying to adjust to a social distance learning environment at brick-and-mortar schools or deal with the challenges of online learning. At a roundtable discussion on mental health this week, First Lady Casey DeSantis said that “mental wellness was something we […]
Gov. DeSantis moves to crack down on protesters considered unruly
Following protests around the country over racial unrest and police brutality, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he will push legislation this coming spring to curb actions of protesters who are considered disorderly. The bottom line: If someone is judged unruly they could face more criminal penalties than in the past. The announcement follows months […]