Florida House of Representatives eyes student-athlete pay proposal

The Florida House next week could start moving forward with a proposal (HB 99) that seeks to allow colleges, universities and their employees to steer endorsement opportunities toward student-athletes. The House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Subcommittee is scheduled Tuesday to take up the measure, which would make a major change in Florida’s athlete pay law, […]

15-foot Burmese python spotted crossing road in Florida

A Florida woman who set out to enjoy the beginning of the new year with her friends came across an unexpected roadblock last week – a massive Burmese python. The roughly 15-foot-long snake, a species known for being an environmental hazard in the state, was captured on video crossing a road in the Everglades. Kymberly […]

Florida teachers move to block DeSantis questions on critical race theory

A group of Florida college professors on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block Gov. Ron DeSantis from requesting spending data on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory programs in state universities. The filing comes as part of a lawsuit against the so-called “Stop WOKE” Act, which restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis […]

Florida-bound Amtrak train delayed for almost a day

A Florida-bound Amtrak passenger train that started in Virginia was delayed for almost a day by the derailment of a freight train and a crew change, stranding hundreds of passengers in rural South Carolina for hours with few options. The trip on the southbound Amtrak auto train which departed Monday evening from Lorton, Virginia, should […]

Killer whale dies after beaching itself on Florida coast

A 21-foot (6.4-meter) killer whale died after beaching itself on the Atlantic coast in Central Florida on Wednesday, authorities said. The orca landed on Flagler Beach, located more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of Jacksonville, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Crews from the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, the Florida Fish and […]

Speech groups criticize Florida school for scrapping play

Free speech groups have condemned the abrupt cancellation by Florida administrators of a high school student production of Paula Vogel’s play “Indecent,” which explores a flashpoint in Jewish and queer theatrical history. The National Coalition Against Censorship, PEN America, and the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund urged school officials to rescind their decision and work with […]

Florida officials: ‘Alarming increase’ in sextortion of minors

Officials are warning Floridians about an alarming increase in sextortion targeting minors. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Sextortion cases are on the rise nationwide, and thousands of minors are being targeted and victimized. Parents and guardians, please talk to your children about this disturbing crime and make sure they know not to take or […]

New Mega Millions jackpot of $1.35B is game’s 2nd highest

The Mega Millions prize has grown again to an estimated $1.35 billion after there was no winner of the lottery’s latest giant jackpot. The numbers drawn late Tuesday night were: 7, 13, 14, 15, 18 and gold Mega Ball 9. The new jackpot drawing on Friday night will be another milestone in the game, Mega […]

As Brazil reels from riots, Bolsonaro finds home in Florida

As Brazil reels from mobs of rioters swarming its seats of power, former leader Jair Bolsonaro has decamped to a Florida resort, where droves of supporters flocked to cheer on their ousted president. Devotees have traveled in recent days to Bolsonaro’s temporary home, a gated community with towering waterslides, for a chance to see him. […]

Judge reopens fight on Florida’s transgender athlete law

After an appeals court upheld a school-board policy that prevented a transgender male student from using boys’ bathrooms, a federal judge has reopened a legal battle about a 2021 Florida law that bars transgender female students from playing on women’s and girls’ sports teams. U.S. District Judge Roy Altman on Friday issued an order reopening […]