News & Views
Grab the latest Tampa Bay news and politics from Creative Loafing’s unique community perspective
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To the DEP, protecting Florida springs is not as important as protecting politically powerful polluters
The big issue, once again, is what the DEP calls Basin Management Action Plans.
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‘This isn’t a field trip — it’s oversight’: After being denied entry, Florida lawmakers get access to Everglades detention facility
Lawmakers will be allowed entrance from 11 am to 12:30 pm. on Saturday.
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Accuracy of hurricane intensity models would ‘almost certainly’ drop off after Trump cuts to NOAA, experts say
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also includes $200 million in cuts to NOAA’s weather forecasting and public alert programs.
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Federal judge blocks part of Florida’s new ballot initiative law
In his latest ruling, Walker stopped the state from enforcing HB 1205’s ban against non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens collecting petitions.
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US Supreme Court won’t allow Florida to enforce its controversial immigration law
But litigation continues in the case that led to a federal judge finding the state’s top legal officer in contempt of court.
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A challenge to part of Florida’s porn age-verification law has been dropped
The dismissal does not affect a separate lawsuit challenging another part of last year’s law (HB 3) that seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on some platforms.
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A new Florida law could lead to less kids getting paddled at school
State data shows schools inflicted corporal punishment in 516 instances during the 2023-24 school year.
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Feds intervene in argument that Florida should be allowed to enforce controversial immigration law
The law passed during a special session earlier this year to align the state with Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
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Miami-Dade County Mayor wants monitoring authority over Florida’s new Everglades immigrant detention center
Levine Cava’s letters come as she faces mounting criticism over the county’s response to the detention center, which the state is calling ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’
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At forum, Hillsborough Republicans are spared questions about immigration and the rift between DeSantis and fellow GOP lawmakers
They also didn’t touch the topic of Hope Florida.
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Florida’s higher education makeover has been met with resistance from faculty, students, the ACLU, and even some Republicans
It’s not just a battle. It’s an all-out war against the traditional norms of academia.
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DeSantis signs bill that pulls $2.1 billion back from reinsurance that was to be used to pay hurricane claims
Money needed for the RAP program is now projected to be about $900 million, clearing the way for lawmakers to pull back $1.1 billion.
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Groups suing over so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ say feds and state of Florida are partners in the detention center
The facility is intended to house, process and deport migrants, with National Guard troops and private contractors providing security.
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DeSantis says Everglades detention center is temporary, but photos show new paving that concerns environmental groups
Groups have filed lawsuits against construction in the highly sensitive environment of the Big Cypress National Preserve.
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‘Cartoonish’ depictions of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ among criticisms of Florida immigrant detention center
Both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida have denounced the opening of the detention center.
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Florida takes another step toward making DeSantis’ own university accreditation organization a reality
The Commission for Public Higher Education would be an alternative to a longtime agency that has clashed with Florida education leaders in recent years.
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DeSantis vetoes healthcare education bill backed by Florida Nurses Association
HB 1427 would have made a series of changes related to the Florida Board of Nursing’s approval and oversight of nursing-education programs.
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Officials claim ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ can withstand hurricane season, but tents leaked after one rainstorm
DeSantis administration officials say the leaks were fixed overnight.