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Equal Ground mobilizes to get out the Black vote for primaries, mid-term elections
Faced with dangerous laws approved by the GOP and attacks on democracy in Florida, the Equal Ground organization is mobilizing to turn out the Black vote for the critical primaries and mid-term elections. Equal Ground, a Black-led, non-partisan and non-profit group, launched its new “2022 Vote for Black Lives Campaign” this week to increase turnout. […]
Florida’s primary is around the corner: What you should know for voter registration
With the Florida primary election soon underway, it’s time for readers to get serious and know some key things to ensure Floridians are registered and can vote. First and foremost: Make sure your registration is up to date. The deadline to register and update party affiliation for the August 23, 2022 primary election is July […]
Gov. DeSantis signs into law Alzheimer’s education programs as more Floridians battle the disease
With more than 580,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s disease — and thousands more diagnosed by 2025 — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law efforts to educate health care practitioners on disease and dementia-related disorders. The bill, which becomes effective July 1, is called “Ramping up Education of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia […]
Juneteenth federal holiday: ‘Slavery and racism are a part of the history of the United States’
A year ago, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth law declaring a legal public holiday annually on June 19, saying signing the bill was “one of the greatest honors I’ve had as president.” This year, the Juneteenth law fell on a Sunday, and therefore the federal holiday was celebrated on Monday with several closures such […]
FL Congressional delegation isn’t saying much about the second U.S. hearing on Jan. 6 insurrection
Monday was the second hearing of the House select committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S Capitol, but so far, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Florida Democrat who serves on the panel, hasn’t spoken during the hearing. Later, in an interview with MSNBC, Murphy said, “It’s up to the American people to […]
It’s been six years since the Pulse Nightclub shooting massacre in Orlando
It’s been six years since the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, a venue for the LGBTQ+ and Hispanic community. The tragedy left 49 innocent victims dead in one of the deadliest attacks in our nation’s history. Since then, not much has changed when it comes to gun violence in America: Just last month, […]
GOP-controlled FL Senate approves HB 7; Dems say the bill falls on the wrong side of history
The Florida Senate on Thursday approved a culture-war bill that would limit certain conversations about racism and sexism in schools and workplaces. The legislation, which has resonated across the country, now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his consideration. It was one of the governor’s signature bills pushed through in the two-month legislative session […]
Heated exchanges over HB 7: ‘Are you trying to whitewash the history of African Americans?’
Tensions rose in the Florida Senate Wednesday, as the GOP scuttled all amendments of HB 7, another culture war bill that would limit certain conversations about racism and sexism in schools and workplaces. HB 7, described as “Individual Freedom,” posits a handful of principles that students may not be subjected to in public school classrooms. […]
FL Senate approves 15-week abortion ban; next step, Gov. DeSantis’ desk
Late in the evening Thursday, amid tears, personal stories, and fears about women’s freedom, the Florida Senate approved a 15-week abortion ban for Florida, allowing the legislation to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his consideration. The bill passed on a party-line vote of 23 to 15, with Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia, of Miami-Dade, […]
15-week abortion ban getting closer to passage in the FL Senate
Democrats’ attempts to make changes to a 15-week abortion ban failed Wednesday in the Florida Senate, and the legislation, HB 5, is expected to be up for debate and potentially a vote on Thursday. Senators filed up to 15 amendments on the bill, mostly about health care for women who need abortions, among other concerns. […]
Abortion advocates speak out against 15-week abortion ban before FL Senate votes
Abortion advocates, patients, and providers stood in front of the Florida Senate chambers Wednesday morning before the vote on HB 5 — the ban that would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The state House has already passed the legislation similar to the Mississippi ban that is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. […]
A 15-week abortion ban in FL is close to reality; Dems will try to push back on the legislation
After weeks of speeches and raucous protests, numerous votes in legislative committees and a full vote in the state House, Florida is at the endpoint for a decision on a 15-week abortion ban that doesn’t include rape, incest and human trafficking. The Florida Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on HB 5, which was the […]