Florida's Latest News

Gov. DeSantis touts cancer funding accomplishments, hints at future changes

The Governor signed a trio of health care related bills related to cancer and rare diseases in Miami and hinted that he expects more changes to how the state funds cancer research in the future.

SB 7072, a health care bill that appeared late in the 2024 Session, was the center of a $127 million-plus health care industry tussle between the National Cancer Institute recognized programs in the state and other cancer providers.

The measure codified a “Cancer Connect Collaborative,” which was first announced by the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration in 2023. The Legislature did not, though, give the collaborative control over how the state allocates $127.5 million in recurring cancer research funds, named in honor of First Lady Casey DeSantis.

Those dollars only are distributed to Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Moffitt Cancer Center and UF Health Cancer Center, all of which are recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

New law gives at least 3 Black farmers a shot at marijuana licenses

Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to change the law to abate legal wrangling over medical marijuana licenses for Black farmers. It’s the second time in as many years the Governor approved changes to the state’s medical marijuana licensure laws for Black farmers.

At least three Black farmers tied to what is known as the “Pigford” litigation will benefit from the changes. That’s according to Sen. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat who helped champion the 2024 changes included in SB 1582, an omnibus bill related to the Department of Health (DOH).

The new law gives Black farmers who applied for licenses under a 2023 law another 90 days to cure any errors or omissions on medical marijuana applications they submitted to the state.

The new measure also makes clear that if a Black farmer applicant died after March 25, 2022, their death may not be used as a reason to deny the application or any resulting legal challenges.

Biden declares major disaster in Florida, orders federal aid for severe weather recovery

President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Florida and ordered federal aid for recovery efforts following severe weather in North Florida on May 10.

Biden’s declaration makes Federal funding available in Leon County, where 115 miles per hour winds caused an estimated 500 power poles broken, 91 damaged transformers, and one substation to go offline. The assistance also includes temporary housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs.

Aid is also available on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and repairs in the counties of Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwanee, Taylor and Wakulla. In addition, federal funding is available statewide on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures.

Severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, according to estimates.

A rematch for HD 35? It’s a seat both parties have their eyes on

Rep. Tom Keen could get a rematch with Erika Booth, the Republican whom he defeated in the Special Election in January to flip House District 35.

The Orlando Democrat beat Booth with 51% of the vote in the Special Election for the Central Florida district. Some predicted that the win shows the Democrats have a chance to gain ground in Tallahassee. Now, Republicans are investing resources to try and win it back.

“It is not surprising to me that Republicans want to try and take back a district they lost five months ago for the first time in over 30 years,” Keen said in a statement. “However, I am confident that our grassroots effort and focus on important issues will once again resonate with voters, pushing us over the finish line in November.”

Booth said she feels like a November General Election with higher voter turnout will play into her favor. The Special Election in January was also close to the holiday season to keep some voters away, Booth added.