A Nazi was punched outside of Richard Spencer's speech at University of Florida

by Colin Wolf on October 19, 2017 at 4:38PM

Richard Spencer is getting boo'd into an oblivion right now

by Colin Wolf on October 19, 2017 at 2:51PM

While tickets were limited to white supremacist Richard Spencer's controversial speech at University of Florida, protesters are now in the auditorium and booing the hell out of the so-called "alt-right" founder. Luckily, some of his followers are streaming this horrible appearance from the front row so we can all witness what a giant mistake this was.

Chris King is protesting Richard Spencer's speech at UF

by Nicole Dudenhoefer on October 19, 2017 at 2:27PM

In a blog post from earlier today King explained why he feels it is necessary to protest Spencer's appearance.  "Many have argued that we defeat Richard Spencer’s hate speech by ignoring it.

SeaWorld cuts 350 jobs due to decrease in attendance

by Nicole Dudenhoefer on October 19, 2017 at 12:55PM

Recent controversies surrounding SeaWorld seem to be making an impact on the company's structure. The entertainment park announced Wednesday it would be cutting about 350 jobs in order to maximize costs, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

Orlando ranks as one of top Florida cities for LGBTQ equality

by Monivette Cordeiro on October 19, 2017 at 12:45PM

The City of Orlando scored a perfect 100 for the fourth year in a row on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index, which measured LGBTQ equality and inclusion in local policies in 506 cities across the nation. Orlando was one of four cities in the Sunshine State to receive a perfect score out of the 18 Florida cities ranked in 2017.

U.S. Senate panel launches inquiry into 14 resident deaths at Florida nursing home

by News Service of Florida on October 19, 2017 at 10:43AM

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday sent letters to Florida and federal health officials requesting information about the deaths of 14 residents of a Broward County nursing home after Hurricane Irma and steps the state has taken to protect seniors. The committee, in a letter to Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Justin Senior, seeks a wide range of information, including information about “statewide emergency preparedness and response requirements that applied at the time of Hurricane Irma to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida.”

Florida education board approves schools for 'hope' money

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida on October 19, 2017 at 10:33AM

With 13 school districts challenging the constitutionality of Florida's new “schools of hope” law, the State Board of Education on Wednesday used the law to select 11 low-performing public schools to receive additional funding. The schools will qualify for up to $2,000 in extra per-student funding over the next two years to carry out improvement plans that will include efforts such as tutoring, after-school programs, counseling and teacher development.

Mike Pence is headlining a major GOP fundraiser in Orlando next month

by Brian Leng on October 18, 2017 at 5:26PM

Vice President Mike Pence will once again take the stage for Florida's biggest Republican fundraiser. Pence will be this year's keynote speaker at the Nov. 2 Statesmen's Dinner, the largest annual fundraising event for the Republican Party of Florida, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. 

University Press of Florida offers free books in anticipation of white supremacist speech

by Monivette Cordeiro on October 18, 2017 at 5:23PM

In anticipation of white supremacist Richard Spencer's speech at the University of Florida Thursday, the Gainesville-based University Press of Florida is offering free PDF versions of books in "an effort to combat hate with facts." UPF has been the official publisher of Florida's state university system since 1945 and has released over 2,500 volumes.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office is asking people not to dress up like clowns for Halloween

by Brian Leng on October 18, 2017 at 3:00PM

John Morgan says he will spend $1 million on Florida campaign for $15 'living wage'

by Colin Wolf on October 18, 2017 at 2:35PM

According to Politico, Morgan has formed a political committee called Florida for a Fair Wage, which is working with University of Florida law professor Jon Mills to draft the living wage constitutional amendment. Basically the amendment would boost Florida's minimum wage to $10, and then increase by a dollar a year until it's $15, after which minimum wage would adjust with inflation. 

Disney union workers plan to rally Thursday for living wages

by Monivette Cordeiro on October 18, 2017 at 1:16PM

Every paycheck Diana Geary gets from her $11.50-an-hour job as a ride operator at Animal Kingdom, the 41-year-old asks herself several important questions: How will she buy groceries? Can she split up this invoice she can't afford into monthly payments?

While Univeristy of Florida prepares for Richard Spencer, his group says he's not a racist

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida on October 18, 2017 at 1:01PM

Supporters of Richard Spencer, the firebrand white nationalist whose upcoming appearance at the University of Florida sparked a state of emergency, say he's not a racist. And, they insist, he's not to blame for violent clashes like the one at a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., that left one woman dead and dozens more injured.

Trump, a liar, says Florida congresswoman 'totally fabricated' insulting phone call to war widow

by Colin Wolf on October 18, 2017 at 11:39AM

"I think it’s so insensitive. It’s crazy.

Florida's constitution commission advances six public proposals out of 2,000

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida on October 18, 2017 at 9:31AM

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission on Tuesday voted to advance four public proposals, including a measure dealing with homestead exemptions and another potentially impacting abortion rights. The commission, which meets every 20 years and has the power to place constitutional amendments directly on the 2018 ballot, has voted to formally consider a total of six measures proposed by the public, out of more than 2,000 proposals submitted after a series of public hearings earlier this year.

Florida targets pharmaceutical company in stock case

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, News Service of Florida on October 18, 2017 at 9:27AM

In a rare move, Florida is considering taking on a large pharmaceutical company, alleging the state's pension fund lost more than $62 million in stock value because of federal security violations by the company. The State Board of Administration, which includes Gov. Rick Scott and two Cabinet members, will decide next month whether to hire a New York-based law firm to pursue a “direct action” case against Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., rather than joining a class-action lawsuit against the company.

Florida officials say law enforcement is ready for white supremacist's speech at UF

by Jim Turner, the News Service of Florida on October 17, 2017 at 4:27PM

The commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Tuesday authorities are prepared to handle people who commit or encourage violence when a white-nationalist leader speaks Thursday at the University of Florida. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott got backing from Cabinet members for the state of emergency he declared in Alachua County.

Orange County transfers comfort quilt received after Pulse to Las Vegas

by Monivette Cordeiro on October 17, 2017 at 3:25PM

Following a bittersweet tradition, Orange County officials gathered Tuesday to honor the 58 victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting and transfer ownership of the "Comfort Quilt" received locally after the Pulse massacre. The quilt came to Orlando in 2016 after a gunman killed 49 people at the gay nightclub Pulse from San Bernardino, where 14 people were murdered in a 2015 shooting.

Op-Ed: Fact-based gun research can save lives. So why aren't we doing it?

by Stephanie Murphy on October 17, 2017 at 12:21PM

Two years ago, I received a call informing me that my son’s school had been placed on lockdown after an active shooter warning was issued in the area. My son and his pre-school classmates were rushed into a supply closet and told to remain silent for hours.

Gov. Scott calls for increased security funding at Jewish day schools

by Brian Leng on October 16, 2017 at 3:35PM

Following last year's spike in anti-Semitic crimes, Gov. Rick Scott has proposed putting $1 million toward protecting Jewish day schools. Scott announced the plan Monday while speaking at the Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton.