After the Surfside building collapse, engineers say inspections are required for all buildings

Area of Surfside Building Collapse, Surfside, FL – Courtesy: Shutterstock — Kristi Blokhin According to recommendations by the state’s engineering associations made in the wake of the tragic Surfside building collapse, Florida should require nearly all large buildings to be inspected for any damages or structural problems within their first 30 years, with follow-ups every

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

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

DraftKings and FanDuel put $20 million into sports-betting initiatives for the 2022 ballot

DraftKings App Icon – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Tada Images Back in June, sports-betting giants DraftKings and FanDuel pumped $20 million into a campaign to legalize sports betting by modifying the Florida Constitution in 2022, according to campaign finance records reported on Monday by a political action committee. Florida Education Champions, a sports-betting PAC

Florida sued by Norwegian Cruise Line over vaccine passport ban

Cruise Line Ships Occupy Berths at Port Miami Due to Cancelled Cruises from Covid-19 Coronavirus Precautions – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by TetKabrit MIAMI, Fla. – Norwegian Cruise Line is fighting a new Florida law that prohibits cruise lines from requiring passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Filed on Tuesday in Miami federal

Florida Seminole tribe sports betting plan slapped with legal challenge

Aerial View on New Hard Rock Casino – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by YES Market Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Declaring a “legal fiction,” two pari-mutuel facilities have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a newly approved plan that allows the Seminole Tribe to operate sports betting in Florida.  The lawsuit was filed on Friday by owners

President Biden set to visit Surfside building collapse scene later this week

Joe Biden – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Crush Rush Earlier today, the White House announced President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be visiting the rubble site of the fallen Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Fla., on Thursday. Almost a week has passed since the unfortunate tragedy in Surfside, where search-and-rescue

Florida Cabinet lifts legal ruling that prohibited Miami-Dade from constructing a major highway through the Everglades

American Alligator swimming in the Everglades – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Mark_Kostich A highway may soon be erected across Florida’s most recognizable national park after Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Florida Cabinet lifted a rule protecting the Everglades’ wetlands from being touched. On Tuesday, Florida legislators lifted a legal ruling that previously blocked Miami-Dade