Florida's Latest News

Ron DeSantis agrees to debate Gavin Newsom

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday that he would be willing to debate Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom live on air.

“Absolutely. I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where. We’ll do it," DeSantis told Hannity.

The idea came about in June, when Hannity interviewed Newsom and asked if he would be willing to debate DeSantis. "I’m all in. Count on it," Newsom said at the time.

On Wednesday, Hannity framed it as a "policy-based debate" between the leader of a red state and the leader of a blue state.

No date has yet been set for the debate, but a spokesman for Newsom said he's proposed Nov. 8 or Nov. 10 for the event.

Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump to keynote California GOP convention this fall

The two leading candidates in the Republican race for President will offer keynote speeches to California Republicans this fall.

Both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are slated to address the state’s GOP convention in Anaheim, an event that extends from Sept. 29 to August 1, reports KCRA.

“As Californians struggle under the weight of Democrats’ failed one-party rule, Gov. DeSantis has shown how a state can thrive under responsible, commonsense, conservative leadership,” said Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson in a press release.

“We look forward to welcoming him to the Golden State to speak with our convention attendees about his plans to take his Florida success all the way to the White House.”

Florida universities may soon administer Classic Learning Test, an alternative to ACT, SAT

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in May that authorized Florida school districts to administer the Classic Learning Test (CLT), a new and controversial standardized test, alongside the SAT and ACT. Now the Florida Department of Education will consider adding the CLT as an acceptable exam for university admissions.

The CLT is a new “classical and Christian” alternative to the SAT and ACT standardized tests that was created in 2015 by Maryland educator Jeremy Tate, who believes American education has become “utilitarian” and that “high-stakes” testing is partially to blame.

More than 200 colleges and universities accept CLT scores, but that list mostly consists of private universities.

‘Everglades literacy’ lacking in many Florida schools. This program aims to change that

The Everglades — a sprawling complex system under pressure from development, pollution and climate change and home to endangered species and giant invasive snakes — sits literally in the backyard of tens of thousands of school children across South Florida.

But it doesn’t get much, if any, mention in many classrooms.

“Personally I feel like in schools, they don’t tell you enough about the Everglades,” said Karen Rojas, a high school senior in Miami-Dade County.

Last month, 140 teachers attended a program put on by The Everglades Foundation, an influential environmental advocacy group based in Palmetto Bay, that aims to close that knowledge gap. The foundation has created what it calls “Everglades literacy” lesson plans. The free lessons, written by educators with guidance from scientists, check the boxes of curriculum requirements for kindergarten to 12 grade.