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

More than 1,000 homes evacuated as wildfires rage through Florida’s Panhandle

Florida Wildfires — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Tom Fawls Rescue crews are working diligently to get several wildfires burning in the Sunshine State under control. Two of the biggest fires are still causing destruction within the Panhandle. There are a total of 168 wildfires burning across Florida right now. The biggest of them all is the

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

Supreme Court halts vaccine mandate for businesses, upholds mandate for health care workers

United States Supreme Court building — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Steven Frame On Thursday, the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration from enforcing its vaccine-or-test requirements for large private companies but allowed a vaccine mandate to remain for medical facilities that take Medicaid or Medicare payments. The rulings come three days after the Occupational Safety and

Disney halts vaccine mandate after Florida’s ban

Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Jerome Labouyrie The Walt Disney Company has put a halt to its coronavirus vaccine mandate for employees of its Florida theme park after the State Legislature and governor made it illegal for employers to require all workers to get vaccinated, a company spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.

Seminole Tribe launches Hard Rock Sportsbook gambling app

Hard Rock Sportsbook App — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Felix Mizioznikov TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Sports betting is officially live in Florida. The Seminole Tribe introduced a new era of gambling on Monday, discreetly launching a new sportsbook app that allows Floridians to place bets on sports. Sports betting officially became legal in October under a

Florida’s largest school districts ease up on masks

Running at School – Face Mask: Shutterstock — Monkey Business Images ORLANDO, Fla. — Two of Florida’s largest school districts are easing up on mask requirements this week. Beginning Monday, Orange County students will not be required to wear a face mask if their parents provide a note opting them out. High school students in

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