Briefs
Chris King focuses on racial and social justice in his last tour of the state before the Aug. 28 primary
In his final tour of the state leading up to Election Day, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King made campaign and media appearances throughout North Florida this weekend, where he talked about institutional racism and what he says is the state’s broken criminal justice system. “I’ve talked a lot about race and poverty and so this […]
LeBron or Betsy DeVos: Who would make the better U.S. Education Secretary?
By now, more than 30,000 people have signed an online petition to dump U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and put basketball king LeBron James in charge. This is not a hoax. LeBron fans and DeVos critics are taking it seriously, following wide news coverage of President Donald Trump essentially insulting James’ intelligence in a recent […]
Florida Supreme Court issues stay of planned execution
The Florida Supreme Court has indefinitely delayed the execution of a death row inmate who was scheduled to die next week. The court ruled unanimously Friday to stay the execution of Jose Antonio Jimenez, which was scheduled for Tuesday. Jimenez was convicted in 1994 for a 1992 burglary and murder of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas in Miami-Dade County. […]
Gubernatorial candidate Greene not likely to drop out
It isn’t likely that billionaire gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene will get out of the race for Florida governor, despite demands from the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women, which is expressing concern by allegations in a 2013 police report. The recently-surfaced report obtained by CBS Miami states that a former hotel cocktail waitress […]
Special Session for Stand Your Ground won’t happen
A push by Democratic state lawmakers to have the Florida Legislature convene for a special session to debate the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law will not be taking place. The proposal failed to receive the three-fifths support required in both the House and Senate for such a session to occur. In the end, the […]
Bill Nelson told reporters that Russians meddled in Florida’s elections systems this year. Gov. Rick Scott and others ask: Where’s your proof?
Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson’s comments earlier this week that Russia has “penetrated” into Florida’s election systems this year is now a hot issue in his race for reelection against Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Scott said in Tampa on Friday that “either Bill Nelson knows of crucial information the federal government is withholding from Florida […]
Scott visits slimy coast, Democrats call out the governor’s new election-year environmental conversion
Gov. Rick Scott traveled to southeast Florida today where nasty fluorescent green algae is blanketing waterways around Stuart, but he declined to speak to reporters “due to security issues,” according to TC Palm reporter Ali Schmitz, who videotaped Scott’s 30-second cruise across a slimed marina basin. The governor has been desperate to paint himself as […]
Trump’s newsprint tariffs hitting papers hard, including Tampa Bay Times, the New York Times reports
The New York Times reports that Trump’s tariffs on Canadian newsprint are “hastening the demise of local newspapers across the country, forcing already-struggling publications to cut staff, reduce the number of days they print and, in at least one case, shutter entirely.” The national paper cites financial troubles at many newspapers, including Florida’s award-winning Tampa […]
Former U.S. Education Secretary: Harsh words about education but hope from Parkland kids
Arne Duncan used to head Chicago’s Public School System and then went on to Washington D.C. to become the U.S. Secretary of Education during President Barack Obama’s administration. He’s now got a new book out (“How Schools Work”) and his frank assessment of the public education system and many of its players is harsh. Basically, […]
AG candidate Sean Shaw says he’ll convene a gun violence prevention task force if elected
Democratic attorney general candidate Sean Shaw says he’ll create a statewide gun violence task force if he’s elected in November, aiming to reduce gun violence in Florida. “Floridians are victims of gun-related violence at levels that are incomprehensible and unacceptable,” Shaw said at a press conference in the state Capitol on Thursday. “I won’t stand […]
We now know Gov. Scott and wife worth at least $428 million, Times says financial reporting needs reform
The Tampa Bay Times editorial board is calling on Florida lawmakers to enact stricter reporting requirements so that citizens can better know where politicians get their money and spot conflicts of interest. The Times writes about the financial reporting system that allows Gov. Rick Scott to hide some aspects of his financial holdings in Florida, […]
Attitudes on race could be a key factor in midterm elections, poll shows
The nation’s most competitive midterm races may hinge on President Donald Trump’s attitudes about race, according to a recent poll co-sponsored by the NAACP and other groups. Most of those polled said they feel this November’s midterm election is more important than the 2014 midterm, but respondents were split about their reasons to vote. Of […]