Politics & Law
Police officers can help prevent domestic violence killings by asking the right questions
This week, Andreae Lloyd’s family marked the second anniversary of her death. Just after midnight on Dec. 7, 2021, police say, Xavier Johnson, Lloyd’s boyfriend, knocked on the door of the Miami-area group home she managed, where she was working an overnight shift alone. A surveillance camera captured what police say happened next: Johnson beat […]
Growing threat of political violence looms over 2024, former members of Congress warn
Former members of Congress are deeply concerned about political violence ahead of the 2024 presidential election, former Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama and former Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia said at a Thursday joint appearance sponsored by the liberal Center for American Progress and the nonpartisan McCain Institute. Jones, a moderate Democrat who lost reelection […]
Decision to put only Biden’s name on the FL ballot in March 2024 spawned a federal lawsuit
A Tampa attorney has filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) for placing only President Joe Biden’s name on the ballot for the March 2024 presidential primary election in Florida. Other Democrats challenging Biden for the party’s nomination were excluded. Democratic Party officials now say that because Biden was the only candidate […]
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 […]
Seminole Tribe asks FL Supreme Court to toss challenge to mobile sports betting
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has joined the DeSantis administration in asking the Florida Supreme Court to reject a challenge by rival gambling interests to the online sport betting operation that the tribe recently stood up following a green light from the federal courts. West Flagler Associates Ltd. and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., respectively a casino […]
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 […]
New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman censured by U.S. House after he pulled fire alarm
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Thursday to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York. The House voted 214-191 along party lines on a resolution to censure Bowman for pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on Sept. 30 while the House considered legislation to prevent a government shutdown. Censure amounts to deep disapproval of […]
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 […]
Biden meets with leaders of tribal nations, signs order easing access to federal funds
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday that would make it easier for tribal nations to access and invest federal funding on their own terms. “It’s hard work to heal the wrongs of the past and change the course and move forward,” Biden said. “But the actions we are taking today are key steps […]
Haley draws fire from rivals in GOP presidential debate, as Christie calls Trump ‘unfit’
Half of the four Republican presidential candidates on a debate stage in Alabama on Wednesday night focused their attacks on former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who’s vying for the prized second place in the nominating contest. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy teamed up early in the debate to repeatedly hit […]
DeSantis earmarks at least $20 million for HBCUs and Jewish Day School security upgrades
With Tallahassee abuzz over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ unveiling of his proposed 2024-2025 budget, and minority party legislators already pouncing on some of the governor’s goals, part of his proposal suggests additional security funding for HBCUs — a priority for Democrats during the special session. In his proposed budget, marketed as the “Focus on Florida’s Future,” […]