Briefs
President Biden nominates Charlie Crist to serve as U.S. ambassador for global aviation post
Charlie Crist, who left his job in Congress last summer to focus exclusively on the 2022 Florida gubernatorial race — he was unsuccessful — has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as ambassador to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations […]
Florida prisons detain the highest number of HIV-positive people in the nation
Florida’s state and federal correctional institutions hold the most prisoners in the country living with HIV, and also the highest percentage with HIV, of any prison system in the country. That’s according to a report compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice as documented in a new study from the Prison Policy Initiative. The report shows […]
On public education: ‘We are in the middle of culture war vs. aspiration. Hope vs. fear.’
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a staunch public education advocate, said at a national conference Thursday evening: “We are in the middle of culture war vs. aspiration. Hope vs. fear.” That’s a reference in part to the clash between Republicans and Democrats over the nation’s public schools, where books are […]
Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and lifelong mental health advocate, diagnosed with dementia
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, the Carter family announced through the Carter Center Tuesday. In a written statement, the family did not share details, such as exactly when Rosalynn Carter was diagnosed or what type of dementia she was diagnosed with. But the letter did point out that one in 10 […]
Billboard outside Orlando airport warns travelers of DeSantis’ anti-abortion policy
Following travel advisories warning visitors that Florida might not be a welcoming place for Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ people, now comes a warning that anyone capable of getting pregnant might also be better off in another state. Michigan, to be precise, according to a billboard just erected outside Orlando International Airport. It features Dr. Tim […]
DeSantis OKs FL State Guard expansion — controlled by the governor; benefits for military veterans
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation expanding his Florida State Guard from its existing strength of 400 members to 1,500 members, one of a raft of military-related bills he approved on Friday as the Memorial Day holiday looms. DeSantis persuaded the Legislature last year to revive the State Guard, moribund since the end of World […]
Ron DeSantis files paperwork announcing his candidacy for president
Ron DeSantis has filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for president of the United States. “Ron DeSantis for President” is now listed on the FEC’s website as a principal campaign committee. Caitlyn Tortorici is listed as treasurer. DeSantis is scheduled to speak about his candidacy at 6 p.m. on Twitter spaces […]
LGBTQ+ groups raise alarm at political situation in GOP’s Florida; adds updated travel advisory
Florida’s LGBTQ+ community is echoing African American and Hispanic organizations in issuing an updated travel advisory for Florida, citing legislation targeting the trans community, reproductive health care, and bans on books that discuss tricky racial and gender ideas. In a joint statement issued Tuesday, Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign referenced earlier warnings issued […]
Ron DeSantis not ready to say that he’ll announce his presidential candidacy
Gov. Ron DeSantis would not confirm a report Monday that he is expected to announce his candidacy for president of the United States within the next two weeks. NBC News reported over the weekend that the Florida governor was set to move his political operations into a new building in Tallahassee on Monday, and that the […]
Federalists dominate list of candidates for the Florida Supreme Court
A judicial selection panel has sent Gov. Ron DeSantis the names of six candidates it deems qualified for the Florida Supreme Court vacancy left by the resignation of Justice Ricky Polston. They are: Michael Thomas McHugh, chief judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Fort Myers. Joshua Aaron Mize, a judge on the Florida Sixth […]
Florida Legislature unanimously passes legislation decriminalizing fentanyl test strips
Legislation that would legalize test strips that can detect fentanyl — the synthetic opioid that has led to a massive number of drug overdoses in the U.S. in recent years — has passed the Florida Legislature. Fentanyl test strips are small pieces of paper capable of detecting whether drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines […]
Expansion: GOP to ban instruction in ‘sexual orientation or gender identity’ in PreK to 8th grade
GOP lawmakers are pushing to expand a ban on “sexual orientation or gender identity” in Florida’s public schools — this time in grades PreK through 8th grade. It’s essentially Part 2 of a ban that occurred last year, with kindergarten through 3rd grade, and was dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. That 2022 legislation was […]