The Center Square (Page 35)

(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday the deployment of Florida National Guard troops, along with state troopers, to the southern border. DeSantis said at a news conference in Pensacola that 76 members of the Florida Highway Patrol are being sent, while 50 National Guardsmen will alsoContinue Reading

(The Center Square) — A Florida House committee advanced several measures this week that will stamp down on the unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages, increase penalties for street racing and remove barriers to firearm ownership. House Bill 1123 is sponsored by state Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka and Rep. Taylor Yarkosky,Continue Reading

(The Center Square) – Positive societal change comes from the faith-based community, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a recent event with pastors organized by Citizens Defending Freedom and All Pro Pastors International ministry. In the face of a range of societal problems plaguing the country, Judd said theContinue Reading

(The Center Square) — Florida students could be required to learn about communism and other socio-political and economic systems after a bill advanced in a House committee on Wednesday. A revised early learning bill also passed the House Education & Employment Committee. HB 1349 is co-sponsored by state Rep. RobertContinue Reading

(The Center Square) — Foreign-owned social media platforms such as TikTok could face a big change in the Sunshine State if a bill currently being advanced by the Florida Senate gets signed into law. Senate Bill 1448 is sponsored by state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and would add transparency forContinue Reading

(The Center Square) – Making it more difficult for Floridians to file ethics complaints against elected officials is getting backlash from a nonprofit group. Citizens would only be able to file an ethics complaint with the state or local ethics boards if they had personal knowledge of the alleged violation,Continue Reading

(The Center Square) – Another retail theft group has been charged by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, this time for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from Home Depot stores. Criminal charges and investigations continue as the OSP has been prioritizing retail theft in Florida. Last fall, criminalContinue Reading

(The Center Square) – A report on the financial statuses of U.S. cities gave Florida’s largest mixed grades. The 2024 Financial State of the Cities report by Truth in Accounting gave Jacksonville and Miami poor marks and Orlando and Tampa passing grades. The methodology is to examine the cities’ bills,Continue Reading

(The Center Square) — Florida lawmakers have advanced a bill this week that would allow young students and those who teach them the tools to be successful. State Rep. John Snyder, R-Palm City, sponsors House Bill 1353. It would revise Florida’s laws on the state’s pre-kindergarten programs known as earlyContinue Reading