Florida's Latest News

DeSantis Says He Will Use the DOJ to Go After Rogue Prosecutors

Governor Ron DeSantis said he will use the Department of Justice (DOJ) to go after rogue prosecutors who refuse to enforce the rule of law if elected President.

"Everyone has a right to live in a society in which the rule of law prevails," DeSantis told The Floridian Publisher Javier Manjarres on a campaign stop in Polk County, Iowa. "We are going to use the Department of Justice to go after some of these rogue prosecutors who are causing people to die by not enforcing the law."

DeSantis says the Republican Form of Government clause in the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the authority to do this.

In California, shoplifting and open drug use has become a serious problem, especially in counties with prosecutors who were funded by political action committees funded by billionaire George Soros.

Classical education gains stronger foothold in Florida schools

The concept of “classical education” has received significant attention in Florida over the past two years.

Championed by conservatives, the model heavily emphasizes Western civilization with a focus on religious writings and theories. Adopted primarily by charter and private schools, it soon could be headed into traditional public schools.

The Miami-Dade County school district is exploring whether to provide a classical curriculum at one or more elementary schools next fall, the Miami Herald reports.

Florida already has given the nod to the approach through its adopting of the Classic Learning Test as an option for meeting some high school graduation requirements, earning eligibility for a Bright Futures scholarship and gaining admission to a state university.

Biden administration announces $1.4 billion to improve rail safety and boost capacity in 35 states

The Biden administration announced Monday that it has awarded more than $1.4 billion to projects that improve railway safety and boost capacity, with roughly $1 billion of the money coming from the 2021 infrastructure law.

“These projects will make American rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient, delivering tangible benefits to dozens of communities where railroads are located, and strengthening supply chains for the entire country,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The money is funding 70 projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Railroad safety has become a key concern nationwide ever since a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed and caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. President Joe Biden has ordered federal agencies to hold the train’s operator Norfolk Southern accountable for the crash, but a package of proposed rail safety reforms has stalled in the Senate where the bill is still awaiting a vote. The White House is also saying that a possible government shutdown because of House Republicans would undermine railway safety.

Backers of Right to Clean Water amendment seeking to qualify for Florida’s 2024 ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment in Florida would give residents in the state a ‘fundamental right to clean and healthy waters.’ Joseph Bonasia is chair of the Florida Rights of Nature Network and is leading the petition campaign for Florida Right to Clean Water, which is sponsoring the amendment. He recently spoke to WUWF’s Sandra Averhart.

Sandra Averhart: Well, let's start at the beginning. Give us some background, if you would, as to how this ballot initiative came about.

Joseph Bonasia: So, back in 2020, folks in Orange County passed an Orange County charter amendment giving rights to their waters and also giving themselves a right to clean waters. And, our state legislature very quickly stepped in and they took those rights away. They preempted the authority of local governments to pass laws giving rights to nature, and also to pass any laws giving citizens any rights to any aspect of the natural world. So it was at that point where we felt, if they're not going to allow local governments to work on our water quality issues, then we have to go above, the state legislature to amend our state constitution to give us the legal tools to provide adequate protection for our waters.