Florida wants federal court to speed up final ruling in case that affects wetlands

In February a judge found that actions by the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 14, 2024February 12, 2025

News & Views

Florida lawmakers reject changes to law requiring officials to disclose detailed information about personal finances

An amendment was tacked on to HB 735 that would have pushed back the effective date of the requirement to 2025.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 12, 2024July 10, 2025

News & Views

Federal appeals court rejects DeSantis’ ‘Stop WOKE’ training rules for businesses

“The First Amendment keeps the government from putting its thumb on the scale.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida March 5, 2024May 15, 2025

News & Views

Voting groups urge Florida Supreme Court to reject Gov. DeSantis’ redistricting map

The Supreme Court said in January that it will take up the case, with the voting-rights groups filing an initial brief Wednesday shortly before midnight.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 29, 2024March 28, 2024

News & Views

Federal judge says he won’t remove himself from Florida elections law case

The request for recusal stemmed from a ruling Walker issued Feb. 8 in a separate court battle about a 2021 elections law.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 27, 2024September 19, 2024

News & Views

Florida Senate approves social media ban for kids, despite critics calling it ‘government overreach’

The bill also includes requiring age verification to try to prevent minors under age 18 from having access to online pornographic sites.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 22, 2024December 1, 2024

News & Views

Tampa Republican Jay Collins wants to overhaul Florida’s energy laws to scrub any mention of greenhouse gas emissions

The bills would also ban offshore wind turbines in Florida-controlled waters and on property within one mile of coastlines.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 20, 2024March 7, 2025

News & Views

Elected officials across Florida are challenging a new law requiring them to disclose finances

Supporters of detailed disclosure requirements say, in part, that such information can help show officials’ potential conflicts of interest.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 16, 2024August 27, 2024

News & Views

Florida’s controversial bills to ban Pride flags and protect Confederate monuments appear to be dead

The Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will not meet again before the scheduled March 8 end of the legislative session.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 15, 2024July 17, 2025

News & Views

Federal appeals court orders another look at pro-DeSantis immigration ruling

The jurisdiction issue involves whether Florida had legal standing to challenge the immigration policies.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 14, 2024June 5, 2024

News & Views

Following Tampa Bay’s Piney Point disaster, environmental groups target EPA over phosphate regulations

The issue drew heavy attention in 2021 when massive amounts of wastewater were discharged into Tampa Bay.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 14, 2024February 2, 2025

News & Views

Jared Smith wants to shield himself from testifying in case against Hillsborough County circuit judge

The commission is pursuing a disciplinary case against Jacobs, who in a 2022 election defeated Smith.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 13, 2024April 12, 2025

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court urged to decide on abortion consent case

The Jan. 3 ruling appeared to be a first of its kind because the panel said it did not have legal jurisdiction to decide the case.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 9, 2024August 13, 2024

News & Views

TECO cites growing Florida population and inflation in request to raise prices

Tampa Electric is currently operating under a 2021 settlement in a base-rate case.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 2, 2024September 20, 2024

News & Views

Judge tosses Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Gov. DeSantis, alleging political retaliation

The judge said the disputed laws do not mention Disney and that their effects would go beyond Disney.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 1, 2024September 21, 2024

News & Views

DeSantis’ lawyers take aim at ruling in case of suspended Hillsborough prosecutor Warren

The petition filed Thursday by DeSantis’ lawyers contended that the panel decision was “deeply flawed.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 26, 2024February 1, 2024

News & Views

Former Hillsborough judge Jared Smith wants to be shielded from testifying in disciplinary case against rival

Smith’s attorneys wrote that his “conduct and/or testimony is irrelevant to the issues in this proceeding.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 23, 2024May 23, 2025

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