Florida's Latest News

DeSantis: ‘Freedom is Winning’

Recent reports have indicated that Republicans have picked up over 1 million in new voter registrations. There’s no telling if the recent Supreme Court ruling over Roe vs. Wade will affect Republican momentum ahead of the midterm election, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is calling the surge in voter registrations a victory. This week, DeSantis declared that “Freedom is winning” in Florida, and he expects that the country will elect a “red wave” in November.

Earlier this week, a report from the Associated Press indicated that 1 million voters had switched parties to the Republican party. This switch spans 43 states.

According to PBS, “nowhere is the shift more pronounced – and dangerous for Democrats – than in the suburbs where well-educated swing voters who turned against Trump’s Republican Party in recent years appear to be swinging back.”

Study finds Florida among most independent states in the nation

Florida is one of the most independent states, according to a study released by WalletHub.

With Independence Day just days away, WalletHub released a report on 2022’s Most Independent States. To determine the most self-sufficient states, the personal finance website compared the 50 states across 39 metrics, which measure how dependent Americans are on the government and other people for finances, their jobs and personal vices.

Florida landed at No. 6 on the list, setting the bar high in several key metrics. The analysis found that Florida boasts the fourth-highest share of federal, state and local government employees. The Sunshine State also netted the 8th best share of jobs supported by exported goods, and ranked 13th in median debt per income and government dependency.

“Florida is the sixth most independent state. Its financial independence is seen in the low age dependency ratio – which is the ratio of dependents younger than 15 and older than 64 on the working age population, as well as the low percentage of seriously underwater mortgages, just 1.35%,” said WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez.

Statewide assessment results show student performance still not recovered from the pandemic

Scores on the 2022 statewide student assessment show that student performance has not risen to pre-pandemic levels in either language arts or math, with less than a third of ninth-through 12th-grade students performing in algebra at a satisfactory level or better.

The “COVID-19 slide“ appears to be a lingering effect when comparing 2019 scores to 2022’s, even though the state’s schools reopened sooner than most states in August 2020.

The state DOE’s Wednesday release of the statewide assessment results from English language arts and mathematics highlighted the gains of Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students from the previous year.

“Every child deserves access to the best possible education available, regardless of income or background,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Today’s increases — spanning grade levels, subject areas, and demographics — would not have been possible without our hardworking teachers and staff and their dedication to student success.”

AARP awards ten grants to make Florida cities, towns more livable

AARP is awarding nearly $158,000 in community challenge grants to ten Florida organizations that focus their efforts on making cities, towns and neighborhoods livable spaces for people of all ages and abilities.

The Council on Aging of West Florida received a $50,000 Community Challenge Grant, the largest awarded in the state this year, and will use the funds to build two “tiny houses.” One house will be a new home for a low-income senior citizen and the other will be used as a model home.

Two organizations in Miami — Friends of The Underline and Transit Alliance Miami — were awarded $20,000 grants. The former will use the funds to expand Miami’s Walk4Life club into the city’s downtown. The My Transit My City project will offer lessons and technical support to older adults and people with disabilities about how to use the county’s redesigned bus system.