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Florida Dept. of Education blames bank after teachers' bonus checks bounce

By News Service of Florida on September 24, 2021 at 5:39PM

About 50 educators were unable to cash $1,000 bonus checks they received from the state, Florida Department of Education officials acknowledged Friday. The state is working to correct the mistake, agency spokesman Brett Tubbs told the News Service of Florida in an email.

Years after lawmakers ordered Florida officials to grant a medical marijuana license to a Black farmer, it hasn’t happened

By Dara Kam, NSF on September 24, 2021 at 10:18AM

Black farmers have waited more than four years to vie for a license to participate in Florida’s lucrative medical-marijuana industry. But it’s still unknown exactly how much longer they’ll have to continue to bide their time, according to testimony from state Office of Medical Marijuana Use Director Chris Ferguson.

Federal government makes good on paying penalties for Florida school districts during mask mandate fight

By Ryan Dailey, NSF on September 23, 2021 at 7:23PM

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that it has provided nearly $150,000 to the Alachua County School Board to cover a state penalty targeting board members’ salaries. State Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced Aug. 30 that the Florida Department of Education had started to withhold funds from the Alachua and Broward County school districts in amounts equal to the monthly salaries of school board members who voted for student mask requirements.

Orange County teachers union accuses Florida of playing 'Russian roulette' with student health following change in COVID-19 quarantine rules

By Alex Galbraith on September 23, 2021 at 11:19AM

Orange County recently bucked rules set by the state of Florida around requiring masks. Though the administration of Ron DeSantis threatened to pull funding from districts that imposed mask mandates, the School Board voted to make masking mandatory through October 30 with the backing of the CTA.

Almost no one is taking advantage of Florida's 'COVID-19 bullying' private school grants

By News Service of Florida on September 23, 2021 at 10:11AM

The Hope Scholarship program was originally intended to help bullied students change schools. Step Up for Students has received 263 voucher applications that cited reasons related to COVID-19.

Florida craft store challenges vaccine passport ban in new lawsuit

By News Service of Florida on September 23, 2021 at 10:00AM

“Absent the relief being sought to enjoin defendant (the state) from enforcement of this clearly unconstitutional content-based restriction on protected speech, Bead Abode would be forced to choose between its commitment to the safety of its customers and crushing penalties from enforcement of this law,” the lawsuit said. A federal judge in South Florida last month ruled in favor of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which argued the vaccine-passport ban violated the First Amendment and what is known as the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Webster Barnaby of Deltona filed a bill that could bar abortions as early as six weeks.

Florida State Rep. files Texas-style anti-abortion bill

By Ryan Dailey, NSF on September 22, 2021 at 4:58PM

House Minority Co-leader Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, told The News Service of Florida that Democrats have been bracing for such an abortion bill to be filed. “None of us are shocked, surprised or anything like that.

Florida's new surgeon general signs off on rule allowing students exposed to COVID-19 to keep attending school

By Alex Galbraith on September 22, 2021 at 4:53PM

The new rule also effectively ends a lawsuit against the state from several school districts, including Orange County. As that rule around masking policies was overwritten by the new one, the lawsuit from schools is effectively moot.

Orange County Public Schools consider revising public comment rules following heated mask mandate hearings

By Alex Galbraith on September 22, 2021 at 1:47PM

The board also considered a priority system that would favor students, parents of students and employees of OCPS. Orange County residents would be next on the ranking, and visitors would come last.

Florida will bar future investment, contracts with Unilever if they don't walk back decision to not sell ice cream in occupied Palestine.

Florida preparing to boycott Ben & Jerry's, Unilever over decision not to sell in occupied Palestine

By Jim Turner, the News Service of Florida on September 22, 2021 at 10:39AM

Florida continues to move closer to ending financial ties with ice-cream giant Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company, Unilever PLC. Ash Williams, executive director and chief investment officer of the State Board of Administration, said Tuesday he anticipates Unilever will be added to what is known as Florida’s list of “Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel,” prohibiting state investments and contracts with the companies.

Florida objects to plan to fast-track school masks lawsuit to state Supreme Court

By News Service of Florida on September 22, 2021 at 10:21AM

“This (appeals) court regularly decides high-profile cases that are time sensitive,” the response said. “Significant cases with statewide interest are regularly disposed of at the district court.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Surgeon General who opposes mask mandates, praises vaccine alternatives

By Tom Urban and Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida on September 21, 2021 at 4:37PM

The Democratic National Committee quickly blasted his choice of Ladapo on Tuesday. "Instead of going with a trusted advocate for science, DeSantis is once again playing games with peoples’ lives by appointing someone who has trafficked anti-vaccine and anti-mask rhetoric," Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Adonna Biel said in a statement.

Belle Isle police officer resigns after being pulled over drunk and pantsless

By Alex Galbraith on September 21, 2021 at 2:31PM

A Belle Isle police officer has resigned after Volusia County deputies arrested him in DeBary on charges of driving under the influence, refusing to submit to sobriety tests, open container violations and speeding. Bodycam footage shared by the VCSO shows a shirtless Ivar Ruiz refusing to continue a sobriety test.

Major newspapers join Orlando legislator's lawsuit against state of Florida over COVID-19 data

By Alex Galbraith on September 21, 2021 at 11:48AM

Cooper is moving forward with the case before the month is out, denying a request to postpone arguments by Figlio. Like his recent ruling in the state's ongoing fight against mask mandates in schools, Cooper pointed to the laws on the books that claim the case must be heard as soon as possible.

Senate leader of Florida's redistricting process wants to be more open this time around

By Jim Turner, the News Service of Florida on September 21, 2021 at 10:20AM

“We are taking steps to safeguard against the kind of shadow process that occurred in the last cycle,” Rodrigues said during Monday's committee meeting. “We will protect our process against the 'astroturfing' that occurred in the past, where partisan political operatives from both parties wrote scripts and recruited speakers to advocate for certain plans or district configurations to create a false impression of a widespread grassroots movement.”

AdventHealth officials testify to hospital staffing shortage before Florida Legislature

By Ryan Dailey, NSF on September 21, 2021 at 10:01AM

“Our approach and strategy has been focused on, not this notion and idea of a new normal. It’s how do you co-exist with COVID-19?

Jerry Demings says Orange County COVID-19 positivity heading in 'right direction'

By Alex Galbraith on September 20, 2021 at 5:12PM

It feels like forever ago that Orange County had a coronavirus positivity rate below 5%. That number was set by the county and used as a benchmark to declare an end to social distancing and mask policies.

A protest by Confederate supporters outside Orlando City Hall in 2017.

Florida Legislature to consider bill ending Confederate holidays

By News Service of Florida on September 20, 2021 at 1:14PM

A proposal that would end legal holidays marking the birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with Confederate Memorial Day, has been revived in the Florida Senate. The measure (SB 250), filed Friday by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, would also do away with statutory protections for Confederate flags and emblems.

Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried joins Ron DeSantis' fight to keep antibody treatments

By News Service of Florida on September 20, 2021 at 10:12AM

A handful of states, including Florida, have obtained the bulk of the monoclonal antibody treatments available thus far, according to White House officials. But the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is allocating a weekly distribution “based on weekly reports of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in addition to data on inventories and use” submitted by states to the federal government, agency officials said this week.

Florida rep's bill to ban ‘race or sex scapegoating’ sparks a call to teach African American history year round

By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection on September 17, 2021 at 2:43PM

State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, is lashing out against the idea of critical race theory, filing a bill to ban its use in all government institutions, including universities. Critical race theory is an upper-level academic framework that examines whether and how systems and policies perpetuate racism.

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