State News – Page 14 – Capital Outlook

DeSantis signs death warrant in Flagler murder

March 20, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of murdering a Flagler County couple in 1989, setting the stage for Florida’s second execution in less than two months. DeSantis scheduled an April 12 execution of Louis

Lawmakers to consider 6-week abortion limit

March 20, 2023

Protestor at the Capitol expresses her stance.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida As the 2023 legislative session began, Senate and House Republicans proposed measures that seek to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The bills (SB 300 and HB 7), filed by Sen. Erin

Court upholds gun age law

March 20, 2023

A federal appeals court upheld a Florida law that prevents sales of rifles and other long guns to people under age 21.Photo special to the Outlook By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Citing gun restrictions dating to the Reconstruction era, a federal appeals court upheld a 2018 Florida law that

Panel tosses Fried ethics case

March 20, 2023

Former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried was cleared of ethics violation charges over income from periods before she was elected in 2018.NSF photo by Tom Urban By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed a long-running dispute about whether former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried violated state law

Lawmakers considering later school start times

March 20, 2023

Transportation could become an issue for some families if school start times should change.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida It’s a scenario that many families know all too well. Early each morning, parents struggle to rouse sleepy teenagers, get them in the car or to

Ban on higher ed ‘political loyalty’ tests gets nod

March 20, 2023

Rep. Spencer Roach By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida A proposal that seeks to prevent Florida colleges and universities from requiring people to complete “political loyalty” tests began moving in the state House, as the bill’s sponsor pointed to what he called a “monoculture” on campuses. The House Postsecondary Education

Senate passes affordable housing plan

March 20, 2023

A bill focusing on an affordable housing plan carries a $711 million price tag.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Moving quickly on priorities of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Florida senators passed measures aimed at spurring more affordable housing for workers and boosting a trail network

Parkland shooting ‘feels like five minutes ago’

February 17, 2023

Memorials were set up around Parkland after Nikolas Cruz’s shooting rampage five years ago.Photo submitted By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Five years after a mass shooting that shook Florida, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Parkland remain inextricably linked to the ghastly day when a troubled teenager in less

Education board approves librarian training

January 30, 2023

Required training will focus on content that would be considered harmful to minors under a separate state law.Photo special to the Outlook By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Florida’s top education officials approved a rule to carry out a new state law requiring school-library employees to complete training sessions as

Nursing homes for veterans grapple with staffing

January 30, 2023

Nursing homes for veterans across Florida have plenty of beds but not enough staff.FDVA photo By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Grappling with problems that began during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida veterans’ nursing homes have empty beds because of staffing shortages. Bob Asztalos, deputy executive director of