The laws passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis have consequences. Are they unintended or intended?
Why this matters: The words in the bills are one thing but how people act on them can have a much larger impact.
Yesterday, the Pensacola Chamber toasted state lawmakers for the 2023 session but has remained silent on the turmoil in the Escambia County School District.
What’s Happening:
The News Service of Florida: Walt Disney Company on Thursday scrapped plans to build a nearly $1 billion office complex and relocate 2,000 California-based cast members to Florida.
During the company’s second-quarter earnings call last week, Disney CEO Bob Iger asked, “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes or not?”
Tampa Bay Times: Due to the current political climate in Florida, Tampa Pride is canceling its annual Pride on the River event. Carrie West, president of Tampa Pride, said, “In the end, we didn’t want to take any chances.”
The decision came Wednesday after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1438, which holds businesses accountable ”if the establishment admits a child to an adult live performance.”
Locally, Perfect Plain receive threats that it would lose its business license if hosted a drag show.
Tallahassee Democrat: A Hernando County School fifth-grade teacher is being investigated by DOE for showing her students Disney’s 2022 movie “Strange World. She says that she was turned in by a school board member.
Meanwhile, a middle school teacher in Collier County is allowed to create and show a pro-Confederate video during the morning announcements. He asserts the Civil War should be titled the “War To Prevent Southern Independence.” He has since filed a complaint against the school district for investigating his actions.
Miami Herald: One of the oldest Hispanic civil-rights groups in the United States issued a warning Wednesday advising immigrants not to travel to Florida.
The travel warning alerts immigrants and their families that traveling to the Sunshine State is dangerous and could pose a threat to their freedom, Domingo Garcia, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said in a virtual press conference.
Argos win NCAA Region Opener
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The team plays Barry University today at 5:30 p.m. Barry beat Montevallo 10-3 in its opener.
Florida Southern and Montevallo play a 2 p.m. The loser is eliminated.
Pine Forest High grad picked up by LSU
Amaury Wiggins, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive lineman, graduated in the class of 2021 at Pine Forest High. He is projected as an interior offensive lineman, either center or guard.