Civil Rights & Immigration
New FL Black History Museum taking public input on content and programs; will the state’s past be accurate?
The recently formed Florida Museum of Black History Task Force is now calling on the public to weigh in on what type of programming content should be part of the institution when it’s ultimately created in the coming years. Black historians have been watching whether the state’s past will be reflected accurately and faithfully and […]
As abortion rights amendment takes place in Ohio Constitution, advocates look to future
Thursday marked the official date that the reproductive rights amendment, approved overwhelmingly by voters in November as Issue 1, took its place in the Ohio Constitution. The amendment marks a “beacon of hope” and a representation of what Ohio voters can do, according to Dr. Marcela Azevedo, a leader from Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights […]
GOP seeking to head off ballot initiatives on abortion access, Florida’s included
Gov. Ron DeSantis was blunt following a GOP presidential primary debate on Nov. 8: Abortion-rights referenda are becoming a problem for leaders like himself who want to come as close as possible to outlawing the procedure. “Pro-lifers in particular have a big problem on these referenda,” DeSantis said during an interview with NBC News, referring […]
FL health and human services agencies head to court over transgender care, Medicaid
Florida state agencies will face legal challenges to health care policies on the same day next week — a trial on the state’s transgender care ban and a hearing in a lawsuit seeking Medicaid eligibility for thousands of Floridians. In Tallahassee, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle will preside over a trial set to start next […]
Florida Supreme Court hears arguments in case of suspended state attorney Monique Worrell
A lawyer for suspended Orange and Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell told the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday that Gov. Ron DeSantis exceeded his authority when he removed her from her position earlier this year, and the high court should make it right by reinstating her. DeSantis issued an executive order on August 9 […]
DeSantis wants the state to spend less next year; plus spend $1 million for FSU’s bowl game snub
Florida’s government will shrink by nearly $3 billion during the fiscal year that begins on July 1, but the $114.4 billion state budget that Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed Tuesday will find room for $1 million to cover any litigation arising from Florida State University’s College Football Playoff snub. “I don’t know what all goes into […]
State appeals court upholds diminishment of Black voting strength in North Florida
A state appeals court has rejected a legal attempt to save a Black-opportunity congressional district in North Florida, relying on legal reasoning never raised by the parties to the case: That the district originally was devised to benefit Democrats, not Blacks specifically. The ruling — released at 4:41 p.m. Friday — sidesteps provisions of the […]
Abortion opponents push state lawmakers to promote unproven ‘abortion reversal’
Anti-abortion organizations are pushing state lawmakers to promote a controversial and unproven “abortion reversal” treatment — flouting the objections of medical professionals who point out it is not supported by science. In the past several years, Republican lawmakers in at least 14 states have passed laws requiring health care providers to give patients information about abortion reversal. […]
U.S. House votes to bar use of public lands for housing migrants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Thursday passed a bill to bar the use of public lands for temporary housing for migrants applying for asylum. The bill, H.R. 5283, passed with a majority of Republicans in support, 224-203. Six Democrats voted with Republicans: Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Vicente […]
FL Supreme Court: Law protecting victims’ rights doesn’t assure confidentiality
The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Marsy’s Law — intended to protect crime victims — does not confer an untrammeled right for victims to have their identities shielded from public disclosure. Ruling in a case in which two Tallahassee Police Department officers argued their involvement in self-defense shootings rendered them crime victims entitled to […]
Abortion-rights advocates narrow focus of petition drive for FL constitutional amendment
The organization behind the proposed amendment to enshrine the right to abortion within the Florida Constitution is narrowing its petition drive to 10 specific congressional districts to make sure it demonstrates broad support across the state. Floridians Protecting Freedom, sponsor of the proposed Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, plans a conference call on […]
Iowa man sues after being fired for refusing to ‘sin’ by getting vaccinated
An Iowa medical-supply worker is suing his former employer for refusing to accommodate his religious beliefs by requiring him to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Brandon S. Hoefer of Butler County says he was fired for refusing to comply with a directive from his employer, the medical supply company NuCara, to be vaccinated, despite his belief […]