Florida is short more than 5,000 teachers — A combination of the pandemic and low pay are to blame

School Teachers – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Drazen Zigic The Florida teacher shortage has worsened since the beginning of the new school year, with teacher vacancies surging to more than 5,000 according to data collected from the Florida Education Association. According to FEA President Adam Spar, there are also 4,000 openings for other school

Florida misses deadline to receive $2.3 billion in federal aid

U.S. Department of Education – Federal Aid – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Evgenia Parajanian Several Florida school districts are not happy and speaking up. According to a letter sent to the state Monday, Florida is the last state to submit its plans to the U.S. Department of Education that is required before more than

Florida sues Biden administration over “unlawful” immigration policies

Joe Biden – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by lev radin On Tuesday, the state of Florida sued the Biden administration over its border policies. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed the suit, alleging that the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy is illegal and violates either an abuse of authority or a federal immigration law. The lawsuit

South Florida will welcome hundreds of Afghan refugees

Refugees Afghanistan – Courtesy: Idaho News 6 – Image by Scripps National The Sunshine State is set to become a safe haven for a large group of refugees fleeing Afghanistan. Kristen Bloom is the Founder and Executive Director of Refugee Assistance Alliance, an organization that aids refugee families once they are settled in South Florida.

Florida will begin enforcing $5,000 fine for seeking COVID vaccine proof

Vaccine Card – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by vovidzha According to a Department of Health rule issued last Friday, Florida will begin to issue $5,000 fines to schools, businesses, and government agencies that require visitors or customers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill earlier this year that

Florida sports betting plan faces second legal challenge

Sports Betting Board – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Tino Bandito TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stepping it up in the courts, two pari-mutuel facilities have filed a second federal lawsuit challenging Governor Ron DeSantis’ 30-year gambling agreement that gives the Seminole Tribe control over sports betting in Florida. The latest legal challenge was filed Monday, in

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act has been signed at Disney Wilderness Preserve

Aerial View of Florida Everglades at Sunset Hour – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ocudrone POINCIANA, Fla. – Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law in Poinciana. The governor signed SB 976 at the Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve at 2700 Scrub Jay Trail.  The legislation guides the Florida

Judge grants Norwegian Cruise Line’s wish to require covid vaccination for passengers in Florida

Cruise Ship Entrance from Miami Port – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Mia2you A federal judge has ruled that Norwegian Cruise Line can now make it a requirement for passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination before boarding any of its ships. This is a blow to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ law that prohibited

As COVID concerns continue to grow in South Florida, two universities are requiring faculty and staff to get the vaccine

Donna E. Shalala Student Center University of Miami Campus – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by YES Market Media Nova Southeastern University has now joined the University of Miami in requiring both faculty and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine. NSU is requiring all faculty and staff, full and part-time, adjunct faculty, and temporary employees to

High COVID-19 cases call for universal masking in Florida schools

Ready to go to School – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Volurol Districts are sticking with their plans to return to in-person learning, but some school mask rules may be subject to change.  In the last week, the state of Florida has reported more than 73,000 COVID-19 infections. This is the highest number of cases