Recreational marijuana proposal in Florida clears its first hurdle

Large marijuana grow operation – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Canna Obscura Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana for recreational use have cleared a first obstacle to appear on the ballot in 2024 by submitting a sufficient number of petition signatures to warrant a review of the proposal by the Florida

State attorney from Central Florida creates new task force focused on animal cruelty

Animal cruelty – Dog chained to pole — Courtesy: Shutterstock — DreamHack With the help of a brand-new task force covering three Central Florida counties, a state attorney is bringing justice to the victims of animal abuse. The zeal of Assistant State Attorney Jamie McManus, according to William “Bill” Gladson of Florida’s fifth judicial circuit,

Trump and DeSantis previewed a GOP presidential primary showdown

Courtesy: Evan El-Amin – Shutterstock – Former President Donald Trump with a serious look as he delivers a speech at a campaign rally held at the Mohegan Sun Arena Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump previewed a potential presidential primary showdown while holding dueling rallies on Sunday in the Sunshine State as the two men battle

Florida proceeds with sex reassignment surgery and puberty blocker ban for minors

Puberty Blockers and Sex Reassignment Surgery – Person with Transgender Flag Painted On It – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by nito Last week, a joint committee of the Sunshine State’s two medical boards voted last week to draft a rule that would ban gender dysphoria treatments and puberty blockers for minors across the state. The

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sued over migrant flight records

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Hunter Crenian A Florida nonprofit advocating for open government filed a lawsuit on Monday to compel the DeSantis administration to disclose information about migrant flights from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. The larger picture: In relation to the two charter flights that transported about 50 Venezuelan refugees to

Eleventh Circuit social media ruling appealed to SCOTUS

Young woman using social media apps – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by: 13_Phunkod Florida’s attorney general filed an appeal with the Supreme Court in an effort to overturn a federal court’s ruling from May that largely invalidated a state statute prohibiting social media corporations from de-platforming political candidates due to First Amendment violations.  The 11th

As Florida navigates new book law, Sarasota declines dictionary donations

Sarasota County Declining Book Donations – Image Shows Library Books in Bookshelves – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maxx-Studio A school district located in southwestern Florida has hit headlines for declining a donation of dictionaries because of a freeze on new books in its classrooms and libraries. That freeze is temporarily in place while officials

Numerous women seek abortions in Florida despite restrictions in nearby states

Protestors in favor of abortions – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Stephanie Kenner Following the Supreme Court decision that struck down Roe v. Wade, states are passing and reviving the legislation that restricts abortion, and many women are traveling to Florida to undergo the procedure. According to Dr. Samantha Deans, the assistant medical director of

Despite judge’s order, Florida’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks is still in place

Women Protesting in Support of Abortions – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Vic Hinterlang Florida’s law prohibiting abortions at 15 weeks will remain in effect after the state appealed a Florida judge’s decision to temporarily halt the ban on Tuesday. Judge John Cooper of the Second Judicial Circuit Court verbally ruled last week in a

The Sunshine State’s sales tax break begins this Friday

Sales Tax – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maha Heang 245789 Florida residents facing the effects of inflation will get a second opportunity to save on “freedom” beginning on Friday. Set near the Fourth of July for the second year in a row, a sales-tax holiday nicknamed “Freedom Week” will provide tax breaks on a