Florida's Latest News

Florida Senate passes ‘anti-riot’ bill, sends it to DeSantis to sign into law

The Florida Senate on Thursday approved an “anti-riot” bill championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to him for signature into law over the objections of Democrats and civil rights groups who say the measure infringes on the fundamental First Amendment right to protest.

The hotly debated measure passed 23-17, largely along partisan lines.

The parts of the bill (HB 1 ) that most upset Democrats grant civil legal immunity to people who drive through protesters blocking a road; prevent people arrested for rioting or offenses committed during a riot from bailing out of jail until their first court appearance; and impose a six-month mandatory sentence for battery on a police officer during a riot.

Wilton Simpson raises possibility of Special Session on gambling

Senate President Wilton Simpson said Thursday he remains hopeful about a possible gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe, but he acknowledged time is running out to finalize a deal before the scheduled April 30 end of the Legislative Session.

Speaking to reporters, the Trilby Republican raised the possibility that lawmakers could hold a special session to address a potential gambling deal, known as a compact.

“I believe we’re in a reasonable place that a compact could get finished sometime this year, maybe in the next week or two, maybe in a Special Session,” Simpson said. “I’m not pushing that off, I just think these things are very complex issues and it takes a while.”

 'A nicer version of Trump': GOP donors flock to DeSantis

One evening in February, Ron DeSantis quietly slipped into the luxurious Charleston Place Hotel in South Carolina.

Over dinner, the Florida governor addressed an audience of deep-pocketed donors convened by the influential Bradley Foundation, an organization that funnels cash to right-leaning nonprofit groups. DeSantis, whose attendance has not been previously reported, held forth for nearly an hour, detailing the anti-lockdown approach to the coronavirus pandemic that’s turned him into a conservative hero and propelled him to the upper echelon of potential 2024 GOP hopefuls.

Art Pope, a longtime conservative benefactor who chairs the foundation, said his early favorite was former Vice President Mike Pence, who also addressed the conference. But he added that DeSantis had done an “excellent job” as governor and had been well-received by attendees.

Leon Schools will not commit to 'heretical' state directive to make masks optional for fall

Following a directive Wednesday from the state level that Florida public school districts should not require face masks for the fall semester, schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna said Leon County Schools will "not commit to comply with the memo at this time." 

In the letter sent to Florida's school districts on Wednesday, Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran wrote that data show "that district's face covering policies do not impact the spread of the virus" and Florida's 67 traditional public school districts should alter their current policies to make face coverings optional for next school year. 

Corcoran did not include the data he referenced nor specify the exact sources he used that stand in complete opposition to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. In recently updated recommendations, the CDC continues to urge people to "wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people."