State News – Page 34 – Capital Outlook

Court focuses on ‘Holy Spirit’ remark in Brown appeal

March 3, 2021

Corrine Brown By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida A federal appeals court appeared divided as it heard arguments about whether to overturn the conviction of former Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who contends that a juror was improperly removed from her 2017 trial because he said the “Holy Spirit” told him

DeSantis pushes for election changes

February 24, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Contending the state needs to strengthen election integrity, Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a series of changes in Florida’s voting process. DeSantis made the announcement last Friday, three months after proclaiming that Florida had vanquished the “ghost” of the 2000 presidential recount

Lawson returns more than $2.4 million to North Florida families

February 24, 2021

Congressman Al Lawson WASHINGTON DC — U.S. Rep. Al Lawson recently announced that this year, his office has helped to return more than $2.4 million owed to the citizens of Florida’s Fifth Congressional from the federal government. Since January 2020, his office worked to close more than 200 cases and

Questions raised on federal school money

February 19, 2021

Randy Fine, Subcommittee Chairman.Photo special to the Outlook By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida A Florida House panel looking at public-school funding is asking the state Department of Education for answers on how federal CARES Act money is being spent, and if those expenditures are tied to COVID-19 recovery. About

Jobless claims plummet as travel concerns remain

February 19, 2021

Leisure and hospitality, including traveling, have been among the hardest hit jobs.Photo special to the Outlook By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida Florida has posted its lowest weekly total of first-time unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, despite mounting issues confronting the travel industry. The U.S. Department

Vaccine task force wants White House participation in virtual town hall meeting

February 19, 2021

The Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Taskforce held its last meeting on Zoom last week.Photo by St. Clair Murraine By St. Clair MurraineOutlook staff writer Since its inception, a grassroots group has been moving along on an ambitious agenda in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Primarily it

Panel backs protest bill after fierce debate

February 3, 2021

House Speaker Chris Sprowls said HB 1 will not protect violence because violence is not speech.Photo special to the Outlook By Dara Kam News Service of Florida An effort to enhance penalties associated with violent protests, create new crimes when mobs attack property or police and make it difficult for

Leon County Administrator Long appointed to Florida Trust Board of Trustees

February 3, 2021

Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long Special to the Outlook Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Florida Local Government Investment Trust (Florida Trust) by the Florida Association of Counties. The Florida Trust allows Florida counties access to top national and

DeSantis plan would address climate impacts

February 3, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to put millions into Everglades restoration.Photo special to the Outlook By Jim Turner News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to spend $25 million next year and more in coming years to set up a program that would help address coastal flooding and other climate-change

Universities say supercomputer can bring big returns

February 3, 2021

UF Provost Joe Glover By Ryan Dailey News Service of Florida An initiative to bolster artificial intelligence capabilities at the University of Florida and benefit other state universities could modernize the workforce and help tackle pressing problems like sea-level rise, education officials say. At the center of the project is