By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The state is asking a federal judge to shield former Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran from testifying in a battle about a 2021…
Category: State & National News
Rash of overdoses ramps up fentanyl fight
By Ryan Dailey, The News Service of Florida QUINCY — State and local authorities are working “feverishly” to fight the distribution of fentanyl in Florida after a string of overdose deaths over…
Ukrainian refugees seek shelter in Poland [podcast]
ABC News correspondent Ines De La Cuetara is with refugees in Rzezsnow, Poland. She shares what she has learned over the weekend.
Single member districts prevail in Sarasota
Four years ago, Sarasota County voters approved switching to single-member districts, which allow citizens to cast ballots for a single county commissioner from the district in which the voter resides. This is…
Israelis support Ukraine
ABC News correspondent Jordana Miller discusses the latest in Israel’s effort to mediate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. She also shares how the Israeli people support the Ukrainians’ fight for…
THOR deployed to battle wildfires [podcast]
On WCOA this morning, Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore discussed the county sending its mobile command unit (THOR) to Bay County to help battle the wildfires plaguing Bay, Calhoun and…
Cox keeps customers connected to family members in Ukraine
ATLANTA, GA – Cox Communications announced today the company will provide Cox Voice customers with free long-distance calling to Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria and Moldova to help keep them connected with…
Jayer in middle of budget negotiations
By Jim Turner and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate negotiators Tuesday began narrowing budget differences, with agreement on issues such as a minimum-wage proposal, spending…
Learning more about Ukraine
From the Gulf Coast Citizens Diplomacy Council: As the news swiftly changes in Ukraine, we thought you would appreciate the following webinars & resources: March 1, 1-1:45 PM CT; Assessing the Russian…
What’s happening in EU regarding Russian invastion into Ukraine
On WCOA this morning, ABC News’ Tom Rivers discussed the weekend developments in the Ukrainian crisis. He talks about several surprise announcements made by EU members in defense of Ukraine and what’s…
Broadband expansion proposal modified
By Jim Turner, News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers awaiting federal money scaled back a proposal Tuesday that would help broadband providers expand service to mostly rural, underserved areas. Sen. Jim…
Wildlife reserve created around NAS Pensacola, other NWFL bases
Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Interior (DOI), announced the designation of the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape (NWFSL),…
DeSantis orders flags flown at half-staff, remembering Parkland victims
From the Governor’s Office: On February 14, 2018, the 17 innocent lives of Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran,…
LPR wins appeal, case against those who fund terrorism moves forward (podcast added)
The Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm won a huge victory this week when a U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a trial court’s dismissal of Atchley v. AstraZeneca, stating that the defendants’ dealings…
Ladapo says he can’t communicate ‘clearly’ with mask
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Tuesday defended his decision not to wear a mask when attempting to meet with a state…
No Florida election audit
Florida does not plan to review the 2020 election, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday during an appearance in St. Pete Beach. “What we do in Florida is, there’s a pre- and post-election…
Milton cuts taxes for 2022
Press release: With the adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget at a special meeting of the Milton City Council on September 28, 2021, Council approved a reduction in the millage…
DeSantis appoints Keefe Public Safety Czar
The former U.S. Attorney for our district, Larry Keefe, has been appointed the state’s Public Safety Czar. Today, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-223 to prohibit all Florida agencies under the purview…
Minimum wage hike, vaping changes take effect
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Minimum wage workers in Florida will get a voter-approved pay boost this week, while about two-dozen new laws kick in, including a…
Real News podcast: Salzman on House committees
I interviewed State Rep. Michelle Salzman today on NewsTalk 1370. We discussed Gov. DeSantis’ proposal to get rid of the year-end assessments in our public schools. “We all know that that testing…
