State News – Page 5 – Capital Outlook

GOP chief plans to remain in post

January 17, 2024

Christian Ziegler By Jim Turner Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler indicated he does not plan to step aside from his leadership post amid an investigation into an alleged sexual battery in October in Sarasota. Ziegler, in an email to party members last Saturday, called the allegations “false” but

Court backs DeSantis redistricting plan

January 17, 2024

Al Lawson By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida A state appeals court upheld a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature, rejecting arguments that it unconstitutionally diminished the rights of Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice. In a main opinion and three concurring

Personal pronouns targeted in workplaces

January 17, 2024

Rep. Ryan Chamberlin By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida In what could fuel a new round of legislative battles about gender identity, a House Republican filed a bill that would place restrictions on government agencies in the use of personal pronouns. The bill (HB 599), filed by Rep. Ryan Chamberlin,

Storm season ends, but recovery to take time

January 17, 2024

Hurricane Idalia caused damage to businesses in Taylor County, including a gas station.Mike Exline/NSF file By Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida For a second consecutive hurricane season, Florida took a direct hit from a major storm. But while the 2023 season will end this week, restoration efforts from Hurricane Idalia

Florida: Where the war on racism begins

January 16, 2024

Attorney Mutaqee AkbarAttorney Ben CrumpRev. RB HolmesRev. Al Sharpton By Dante MorrisonSpecial to the Outlook For the Rev. Al Sharpton, it was his third trip to Florida’s capitol city within eight months. This time he spoke from the pulpit of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The landmark church bears the civil

Lawmakers delve into school regulations

January 16, 2024

Sen. Corey Simon says proposed changes are designed to make sure time and money aren’t wasted.Photo submitted By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida Florida lawmakers are looking at ways to take some regulations off the books for public schools. The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee and the House Education Quality Subcommittee

Sociology class change spurs debate

January 16, 2024

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. suggested that a history course would replace Principles of Sociology from the social sciences category.Photo submitted By Ryan DaileyNews Service of Florida State higher-education officials moved toward making changes to “general education core courses” at state universities, including a change involving a sociology course that

Ex-U.S. attorneys general back Worrell ouster

January 16, 2024

Monique Worrell has denied allegations that she did not properly carry out her job.Photo special to the Outlook NSF Staff Report Four former U.S. attorneys general filed a brief at the Florida Supreme Court backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell. The friend-of-the-court brief, filed

Appeals court set to hear redistricting plan

January 16, 2024

Henry Whitaker By Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida An appeals court took up a battle about the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature last year, with some judges appearing skeptical of a challenge filed by voting-rights groups. The 1st District Court of

Court consolidation idea shot down

January 16, 2024

House Speaker Paul Renner (left) is advocating for consolidation of the number of judicial circuits in the state.Photo special to the Outlook By Dara KamNews Service of Florida Amid overwhelming opposition to consolidation, a committee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court unanimously recommended against shrinking the number of judicial circuits