State News – Capital Outlook

Pandemic put hurt on sports programs

June 11, 2024

When fans stayed away during the pandemic, many sports teams filled their arenas with cardboard cutouts.Photo special to the Outlook By Jim Turner News Service of Florida Fewer fans during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a drop in economic returns on state programs that provide sports-related grants and incentives, according to

Suspended prosecutor launches campaign

June 11, 2024

Andrew Warren By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Amid a high-profile legal battle about his suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Democrat Andrew Warren announced he will run again this year for Hillsborough County state attorney. Warren was elected state attorney twice before being suspended in August 2022 by DeSantis, who

Clean water group shifts ballot pitch

June 11, 2024

In part, a constitutional amendment proposal would establish “an enforceable, fundamental right to clean and healthy waters.”Photo courtesy city of Palm Springs By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida A group seeking to make clean water a constitutional right in Florida has restarted efforts to get the measure on the ballot.

Corcoran to get $200K in incentive pay

June 11, 2024

Former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran became New College of Florida president last year.Photo courtesy New College of Florida By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran will receive $200,000 in incentive pay after the school’s Board of Trustees signed off on a performance evaluation

Tampa Bay senate districts challenged

June 11, 2024

Sen. Daryl Rouson By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida More than two years after lawmakers redrew the state’s legislative maps, a group of Tampa Bay-area residents challenged the constitutionality of two Senate districts that they say “dilute” the power of Black voters. Attorneys for five residents of Tampa and St.

Analysis shows state could rebound after taking pandemic hit

June 11, 2024

Many of Florida’s theme parks and other attractions took a financial hit during the pandemic.iStock photo By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Visit Florida saw its return on investment fall to 58 cents for every $1 spent on marketing as COVID-19 slammed the doors on the state’s tourism industry, according

State can expect a ‘very, very busy’ hurricane season

June 11, 2024

Hurricane Michael caused massive damage in Northwest Florida in 2018.NSF photo by Tom Urban By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Floridians received a second reminder to brace for a busy 2024 hurricane season, as Colorado State University researchers issued a forecast pointing to warm Atlantic Ocean water that fuels storms.

CEO says Citizens always able to pay claims

April 24, 2024

Tim Cerio By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The chief executive of Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. pushed back against financial questions raised by the chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, saying the insurer “will always be able” to pay claims. Citizens President and CEO Tim Cerio released a

DeSantis signs major health care package

April 24, 2024

Joseph Ladapo By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of bills that supporters say will help improve access to health care, boost the number of doctors in Florida and address issues such as mental-health treatment. “What they (state leaders) are tackling right now are some

Justices urged to consider ‘unborn children’ issue

April 24, 2024

Justice Carlos Muniz By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida With the Florida Supreme Court deciding whether an abortion-rights constitutional amendment should go on the November ballot, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office and abortion opponents are urging justices to consider another part of the state Constitution that they say could apply