News Service of Florida
Posted inNews & Views
DeSantis’ ‘AI Bill of Rights’ stalls in House
The bill’s House version has been assigned to four committees—a historic sign of leadership opposition.
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Recreational pot advocates lose court battle a week ahead of petition deadline
Smart & Safe Florida must submit at least 880,062 valid signatures statewide and meet congressional district signature thresholds by Feb. 1 to put the issue on the ballot.
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Bills filed to get horse racing out of Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park
Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, filed the proposal for the legislative session starting Tuesday..
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Canadians are still staying away from Florida, but tourism saw a slight increase overall
Visit Florida estimated the state had 507,000 Canadian visitors during the third quarter of 2025, down from 597,000 in the third quarter of 2024.
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10 Florida legal issues to watch in 2026
Your energy bill could be going up.
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Proposed law would ban paper straws statewide
The proposed law mimics Trump’s executive order to alleviate the forced use of paper straws nationwide.”
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Activists fight Mosaic’s ‘moot’ argument over radioactive byproduct in Polk County roads
In its challenge, the Center for Biological Diversity cited concerns about radon emissions and potential air and groundwater pollution.
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Florida lifts investment ban on Ben & Jerry’s former parent company
Its new parent company has been added to Florida’s list of “Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel.”
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Florida AG sues Starbucks over what he says is race-based hiring
The suit alleges Starbucks has violated a state civil-rights law.
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Trump says ‘One Rulebook,’ but DeSantis has objected to the possibility of the feds preempting state AI laws
DeSantis was among opponents of a proposal in the federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ that, for a decade, would have prevented states from regulating artificial intelligence.
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Mosaic: Lawsuit is moot because the company has already put radioactive byproduct into other Polk County roads
Mosaic attorneys added, ‘This action (lawsuit) is now moot because construction of the phosphogypsum portions of the pilot road project is complete. The court should accordingly dismiss the (Center for Biological Diversity) petition for review.’
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Federal court will hear appeal over 2023 Florida drag show law
Two rulings blocked the law on First Amendment grounds.
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Union representing Florida college professors challenges syllabi requirements
The Department of Education proposed a rule that included the changes to the State Board of Education, which approved it Nov. 13.
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Kratom byproduct battle heats up in court
A clash has erupted over the privacy of the users who are part of the legal challenge.
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Divided federal court says Florida can now enforce 2024 social media law
The law prevents children under age 14 from opening accounts on certain platforms.
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Florida judge rejects request to stop the 2025 bear hunt
The hunt could lead to as many as 172 bears being killed in four regions of the state.
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Judicial panel gives go-ahead to part of lawsuit over allegedly gerrymandered Florida districts
Friday’s ruling came three months after a separate three-judge panel upheld a 2022 Senate redistricting plan, rejecting arguments that a Tampa Bay-area district was racially gerrymandered.
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Federal judge denies initial claim to reinstate Florida biologist fired over Charlie Kirk post
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker indicated that a decision about reinstating the fired employee could change if more information is provided.
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US Supreme Court declines to take up Tampa Christian school’s appeal over pregame prayer
The decision effectively was a victory for the Florida High School Athletic Association.