News
What should schoolchildren know about human trafficking?
Florida has been in the spotlight over human trafficking, in part because of the recent trafficking and prostitution scandal that led to charges against prominent, wealthy men – and lawmakers want to make sure young people are aware of the dangers. That means students in public schools should be educated about the warning signs of […]
A new surgeon general for Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday appointed a new surgeon general and revived the state Office of Drug Control. DeSantis tapped Dr. Scott Rivkees, a professor and chair of the pediatrics department at the University of Florida College of Medicine, as the new surgeon general. Rivkees will also serve as the secretary of the state Department […]
Here’s an idea to reduce Florida prison overcrowding
Florida prisoners are able to get time off their sentence due to good behavior, but our state has much tougher sentencing requirements than many others. Changing that, a new study says, could reduce prison overcrowding. Florida law says that offenders who committed an offense after 1995 have to serve a minimum of 85 percent of […]
When it comes to school safety, the question is: Where are all the school counselors?
In the old days, a guidance counselor would work mostly in high schools, helping students set up their class schedules and decide what they’ll do after graduation. But today’s school counselors have broader responsibilities, including being trained to recognize mental health issues in students before a crisis occurs. The counselors play an integral role, but […]
Will Trump official pay a price for the lenient plea deal in horrific Palm Beach millionaire sex crimes case?
WASHINGTON — Florida Republicans are lying low on the contentious subject of U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, who is under federal investigation for allegedly mishandling a sexual abuse and trafficking case while serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in 2008. None of the sixteen Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation — […]
Community colleges are a vanishing breed in Florida
Like the Florida panther, community colleges in the state are a dwindling species. The Florida House has sent the Senate a bill (HB 525) that would erase the label “community” from two more state colleges. Florida Keys Community College would become The College of the Florida Keys. And North Florida Community College would become North […]
Keeping schools safe should protect privacy and rights of students and families
Amid the debate about arming teachers with guns and numerous other school safety measures, 40 national and state organizations, including some in Florida, are signing on to a list of 10 principles related to school safety. The principles are designed to protect students’ privacy, dignity and right to an equal education, to make sure school […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis: Don’t turn Florida universities into a “Berkeley”
Don’t turn Florida universities into a “Berkeley,” Gov. Ron DeSantis warned state university leaders Thursday. Making his first appearance before the panel that oversees the 12 state universities – the Florida Board of Governors – DeSantis said he is pleased by the growing academic reputation of the Florida system. But the Republican governor also said […]
Democrats to hold their first presidential debates in Miami in June
Though Miami lost out to Milwaukee in hosting the Democratic National Convention next summer, the city did receive a nice consolation prize on Thursday – it will serve as the host for the first two presidential debates leading into the 2020 race for president. The debates will take place on the nights of June 26 […]
Miami Dade College adjunct professors go union
Adjunct professors at Miami Dade College this week became the latest group to vote to form a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). With approximately 2,800 professors eligible to vote, the school is now the largest adjunct union in Florida, and the largest single-school adjunct collective bargaining unit in the country. It was […]
Lawmakers cite “foreign entities” as reason they are pushing to restrict citizen-led FL Constitutional amendments
Invoking concerns about “foreign entities” interfering in Florida elections, a GOP-controlled committee in the House of Representatives has voted along party lines for a far-reaching proposal that would make it much more difficult for citizens to get constitutional amendments on the ballot next year. The measure, introduced less than 48 hours ago in the middle […]
Gov. DeSantis “not sure” why Trump is visiting Lake Okeechobee Friday
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he talks to President Donald Trump about a lot of things, but is “not sure, to be honest” why Trump is scheduled to visit Lake Okeechobee Friday. “I think it is to show recognition that we’ve had problems with the lake,” DeSantis said, adding that Trump may be announcing […]