June 2021 – Capital Outlook

Court takes aim at concealed weapons licensing

June 30, 2021

Judge Robert Long By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida In a case that could have far-reaching implications, a state appeals court last week ruled that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services improperly denied a concealed-weapons license for a man who said his civil rights were restored after a

Tax credit to cover cost of paid leave for small businesses extended

June 30, 2021

Rep. Al Lawson WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Al Lawson recently announced that the IRS will continue to provide tax credits to help local small businesses cover the costs of paid sick and family leave for workers through September. Workers can also use leave to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and take

To this doctor, medical cannabis is an ‘exit drug’

June 30, 2021

Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. You have probably heard the criticism that marijuana is a “gateway drug,” meaning it’s the first step on a path leading to more potent and addictive narcotics

Former FAMU football player receives grant to advance recruiting career

June 30, 2021

Terry Jefferson (right) celebrates a stop at the goal line.FAMU photo submitted ‘This fund will also pave the way for me to create other opportunities for young African American coaches in this business who strive to make it to the highest levels of coaching football.’— Terry Jefferson By Brian HowardFAMU

TCC basketball standout James earns academic honors

June 30, 2021

Rita James, a native of Nigeria, managed her transition to perform well in women’s basketball and in the classroom.Photo courtesy of Greg Rowland By Luke FayTCC athleticsluke.fay@tcc.fl.edu Tallahassee Community College women’s basketball student-athlete Rita James has been named the recipient of the Dr. Bertha Flowers Murray Award for Academic Excellence.

Realtors back affordable housing ballot proposal

June 30, 2021

Backers of a proposed affordable housing plan would have to get 891,589 valid petition signatures to get in on the 2022 ballot.Courtesy photo NSF Staff Report After years of battles about lawmakers using affordable-housing money for other purposes, the organization Florida Realtors is backing a proposed constitutional amendment that would

Proposed health rules scrapped after hospital challenges

June 30, 2021

Shane Strum By Christine SextonNews Service of Florida After facing nearly a dozen challenges from hospitals across the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has withdrawn a series of proposed rules related to regulating highly specialized health-care services. The state Agency for Health Care Administration announced this week it planned to

DeSantis downplays coronavirus variant

June 30, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis By Christine SextonNews Service of Florida As the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labeled the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus a “variant of concern,” Gov. Ron DeSantis downplayed the potential impact it could have on the state. DeSantis avoided directly answering a reporter’s question

Judge blocks CDC restrictions on cruise ships

June 30, 2021

Judge Steven Merryday By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Saying the “injury to Florida’s economy grows by the day,” a U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction against federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restrictions that have idled cruise ships in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 124-page

FSU poised for change at the top

June 30, 2021

Richard McCullough By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida The Florida State University Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract for incoming President Richard McCullough, as retiring President John Thrasher reflected on his nearly seven years at the helm. McCullough, who was selected last month to lead the university, would earn