Regardless of recent budget surplus, Florida teachers are among the worst paid in the U.S.

Education School Teachers Teaching — Courtesy: Shutterstock — rawpixel.com TAMPA. Fl. — In a Florida political season dominated by educational arguments over everything from sexual orientation to policy and curriculum, Florida’s teacher’s union, the Florida Education Association, says teachers in the Sunshine State are still close to the bottom of the barrel for salaries. The

Florida judge rules CDC mask mandate for planes, trains as ‘unlawful’

Mask Mandate Protest — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steve Sanchez Photos On Monday, a federal judge from Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mandate that masks be worn aboard buses, trains, planes, and other public transportation, leading to an immediate change in policy for air travelers and rail customers. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle for

DeSantis says Florida should allow businesses to pay tax in crypto

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Hunter Crenian Governor Ron DeSantis said the state of Florida is working on a plan to let businesses pay tax in cryptocurrency. “I’ve told the state agencies to figure out ways, where if a business wants to pay tax in cryptocurrency to Florida, we should be willing

Strawberry shortcake is officially Florida’s state dessert

Strawberry Shortcake — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Kean G Florida loves its Key lime pie, but now the state has a new dessert.  Strawberry shortcake with natural Florida dairy topping will officially become the Sunshine State’s dessert after Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday at the festival that celebrates the fruit.  Current Attorney

Florida will be the first state to recommend against COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children

Child Receives COVID-19 Vaccine — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Ira Lichi Florida will become the first state in the country to formally recommend against the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children, a local official announced on Monday. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced the move, which would defy guidance issued by the federal Centers for Disease

How South Florida may be impacted by Russian sanctions

Vladimir Putin at Russian Conference — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Sasa Dzambic Photography After several weeks of growing tensions, nearly 200,000 Russian troops assembled at Ukraine’s border and began a broad military offensive, with world leaders warning that this series of attacks could lead to one of the biggest conflicts Europe has seen since World War

Lawmakers pushing Florida high school diplomas to require financial literacy

Financial Literacy — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Monthira Florida lawmakers are considering making a financial literacy course a requirement for high school graduation as more states look to improve the younger generation’s understanding of how to manage their personal finances. A bipartisan bill making its way through the Florida House of Representatives would require high school

Florida lawmakers cracking down on ‘pop-up’ events

Car Meet Pop-Up Events — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Chawapon Wongchuen Authorities may be able to double fines and impound vehicles for days on noncriminal traffic infractions to crackdown on sizable unsanctioned events put together on social media, under a measure heading to the Senate floor. Bill sponsor Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, said the proposal

Controversial abortion bill heads to Florida Senate

Abortion Rights Protest — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Bob Korn A bill that would subsequently ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy is set to take another step forward on Monday, February 21. The agenda for Florida’s Senate Appropriations Committee includes the “Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality” bill. The legislation being proposed revises the requirements and

Florida legislature plans to pass first law protecting outdoor workers from heat exposure

Farm Workers Face Heat Exposure in Agriculture Field — Courtesy: Shutterstock — AFZAL KHAN MAHEEN We rarely take time to think about those who built the roof over our heads and picked the fresh produce we enjoy at the table. Field workers work hard in Florida’s unbearable heat to provide us with our most basic