State News – Page 2 – Capital Outlook

Florida permitting fight flares in Congress

April 24, 2024

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., proposed an amendment to allow Florida to keep wetlands-permitting power. NSF photo/Colin Hackley By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida As court battles continue, supporters of Florida keeping permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands are trying a different tack: Put it in federal law. U.S. Rep.

Montgomery calls for social justice activism during Woke speech at EWU

April 24, 2024

A $1,000 check was presented to establish a scholarship fund for student-athlete Kyana Johnson.Photos by J. West Former WNBA star guard Renee Montgomery delivered an inspiring speech to students at Edward Waters College.Photo by J. West By Cilicia Anderson Special to the Outlook At 5-foot-7, Renee Montgomery could have easily

Court to take up voter fraud fight

April 23, 2024

Terry Hubbard By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida An appeals took up a high-profile case about the state’s attempt to prosecute a convicted felon who was among 20 people accused of voter fraud in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top Florida officials. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office went

Haiti response questioned

April 23, 2024

Rep. Dotie Joseph NSF Staff Report State Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, and two advocacy groups questioned Florida’s response to unrest in Haiti. Joseph, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Family Action Network Movement issued a news release after Gov. Ron DeSantis last Wednesday announced the state would increase deployments

Settlement reached in education law fight

April 23, 2024

Judge Allen Winsor By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The state and attorneys for students, parents and teachers have settled a battle about a 2022 Florida law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. The settlement, which comes after months of talks, seeks to draw a

DeSantis signs bill targeting ‘community’ IDs

April 23, 2024

Rep. Anna Eskamani By Ryan Dailey and Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida After speaking behind a placard that said “stop illegal immigration,” Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills that proponents argue will be deterrents to undocumented immigrants coming to the state. The measures, approved during the legislative session that ended

Supreme Court refuses to reinstate lawyer

April 23, 2024

Norwood Wilner By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The Florida Supreme Court rejected a request by a Jacksonville attorney to be reinstated to practice law after a suspension related to his handling of lawsuits against the tobacco industry. Justices unanimously sided with The Florida Bar, which argued that Norwood Wilner

Lawmakers pass Citizens Insurance changes

April 23, 2024

Rep. Hillary Cassel By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Continuing efforts to shrink the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the Florida House gave final approval to a bill that could lead to at least some second homes moving from Citizens into the private insurance market. The House unanimously passed the

China land law changes scrapped

April 23, 2024

Brewster Bevis By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida The Florida Senate backed away from proposed changes that supporters said were needed to clarify a controversial 2023 law that restricted people from China from owning property in the state. The proposed changes, which were opposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could have

Judge rejects part of elections law

April 23, 2024

Groups that challenged a 2023 election law in court included the League of Women Voters of Florida.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By Dara KamNews Service of Florida A federal judge struck down part of a 2023 state elections law that placed restrictions on what are known as “third party” voter-registration