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State pushes forward on investigation of FAU’s presidential search; university denies wrongdoing
Despite Florida Atlantic University’s explanations and efforts to ensure that its presidential search has been on the up-and-up, Board of Governors Chancellor Ray Rodrigues continues to pursue a state investigation, garnering backlash from United Faculty of Florida members and politicians. This week, FAU, based in Boca Raton in South Florida, had to cancel public forums […]
Malaria cases in FL have been spreading. What happened in the 20 years since the last local spread?
Two more cases of locally acquired malaria in Florida’s Sarasota County would make the spread that started in May as extensive as the Palm Beach County cases 20 years ago. The eight cases that popped up in Palm Beach in 2003 marked the last time the country experienced the spread of locally acquired malaria, according […]
FAU presidential search: ‘No violation of any statute occurred’
In the latest back and forth between the state university system and Florida Atlantic University, the head of the FAU Board of Trustees, Brad Levine, has insisted that its presidential search over the last several months “did not run afoul” of state and federal laws. Levine also is seeking approval to resume public forums scheduled […]
FL faculty union calls out state meddling of FAU president search
The United Faculty of Florida on Monday called for Board of Governors Chancellor Ray Rodrigues to allow the presidential search at Florida Atlantic University to continue — or immediately resign. The union of higher education faculty and staff questioned the motives behind Rodrigues’ move to pause the search because of alleged transparency problems during the FAU […]
National study finds up to nine PFAS in FL’s tap water
Tap water in Gainesville, Tampa Bay, and Fort Myers contains chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or in human bodies, according to a study from the U.S. Geological Survey. Between 2016 and 2021, researchers tested private wells and public water sources all over the country, according to the study published on Wednesday. In […]
CDC study links gastrointestinal infections in FL to salad kits
Cases of a gastrointestinal infection partially linked to salad kits have more than doubled in Florida since 2021. The sharp increase in cases of Cyclosporiasis follows a nationwide trend caused by a parasite found in domestically grown produce, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Thursday. In 2022, officials identified 513 […]
Voting rights advocates celebrate preliminary victory against FL’s new election law
Members of groups challenging Florida’s new voter registration law say they are cautiously optimistic about their chances to win an overall legal victory following a federal judge’s order blocking parts of the law. Just days after the law went into effect, U.S. Chief District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee granted a preliminary injunction on Monday […]
U.S. Supreme Court denies student debt relief for 1.5 million eligible Floridians
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject the legal arguments behind President Joe Biden’s student loan debt forgiveness plan ruined the chances of relief for more than 1.5 million Floridians who applied for or were eligible under the plan. In a repeat of Thursday’s decision to end affirmative action in higher education admission policies, the […]
DeSantis, Trump cheer end of affirmative action; Suarez stays quiet
Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college decisions, but their latest competitor in the 2024 presidential race, Francis Suarez, so far remained mum on the topic. The court’s decision, which was split along ideological lines, stated that admissions processes at Harvard University […]
Excessive heat continues in Western Panhandle; Drier conditions spare rest of northern FL
Although excessive heat warnings remain in effect for the coastal areas of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the rest of northern Florida has been spared by lower humidity. A heat dome has been warming temperatures to triple-digits in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida by trapping air under high pressure, according to […]
FL nonprofits back federal health care proposal to expand health care to Dreamers
Five Florida organizations joined forces with over 400 nonprofits across the U.S. to help undocumented immigrants become eligible and enroll for Medicaid or private insurance provided under the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed rule would deem Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also called Dreamers, as people who are […]
Northern FL heat index will reach triple-digits; Texas and Arizona are scorched
A dangerous heat wave intensified this week, bringing triple-digit temperatures to counties expanding from northern Florida to southern Arizona. The temperature will feel like up to 112 degrees in the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle, according to the National Weather Service. A heat dome of high pressure is trapping and heating the air, causing the […]