Public News Service

In November, Florida voters will get to decide on ballot initiatives that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution, and authorize recreational marijuana use for people ages 21 and older. (cottonbro studio/Pexels)

Florida Supreme Court clears abortion amendment for ballot

Reproductive-rights advocates see a silver lining in the Florida Supreme Court's recent decision. The court upheld a 15-week ban, and a six-week …

If approved, Florida's Senate Bill 190 would direct all ballot boxes, including ballot transfer containers, to be supervised by law enforcement personnel at all times. (cocoparisienne/Pixabay)

Should law enforcement transport ballot boxes in FL?

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story implied the new regulations were in effect. Implementation is in the planning stages. (11:14AM MST…

The ongoing Israel and Hamas conflict is affecting student organizations in Florida and across the country. (hosnysalah/Pixabay)

FL student groups defend Palestinian rights with lawsuits against state officials

The Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida are filing lawsuits against the deacti…

ALT NEW COLLEGE ofrece cursos en asociaci�n con la comunidad de New College y con el apoyo de Bard College y Open Society University Network, OSUN. (Pixabay)

Educadores preservan y dan forma al futuro con 'ALT NEW COLLEGE'

La llamada "adquisición hostil" conservadora de una pequeña y progresista universidad de artes liberales en Florida está experimentando…

Florida's newest elections law requires that third-party voter registration groups provide mandatory formal signature-matching training to specified persons by the Florida Secretary of State. (Pixabay)

Florida Faces Lawsuits Over Sweeping New Elections Law

The moment Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping elections bill into law last week, several voter-advocacy groups filed lawsuits against it…

As the number of full-time statehouse reporters decline so do the number of newspapers. Since 2005, the U.S. has lost more than a fourth of its newspapers (2,500) and is on track to lose a third by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

University-Led Reporting Lets Students Cover the Statehouse

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

Padres, maestros y estudiantes est�n expresando su preocupaci�n por las pol�ticas educativas propuestas en el Estado del Sol. (Pixabay)

Padres luchan contra políticas educativas de FL con el mitin #NotFoolingUs

El grupo de sindicatos, padres y líderes comunitarios están planeando una manifestación en Miami usando el hashtag #NotFoolingUs…

In 2021, Congress unanimously approved - and President Joe Biden signed into law - legislation authorizing the creation of the National Medal of Honor Monument. (National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Staff)

Survivors Call for Monument in Honor of Fallen Heroes

Robert Patterson received his Medal of Honor in 1969 for risking his life above and beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War. He's among the 65 …

To be a poll worker, you have to be a citizen of the United States and a registered voter of the county in which you plan to work. (Trimmel Gomes)

Experience Florida's Elections Process From Within as a Poll Worker

Voting is one way to play a pivotal role in Florida's electoral process, and another way is by being a poll worker to help ensure elections are …

Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a new congressional map ahead of Florida's special session seeking to redraw the state's district lines. (Florida Legislature)

FL GOP's Congressional Redistricting Plan Likely Blocked for Discrimination

The new congressional map - crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature last month, scatters more than …

The American Federation of Teachers launched its

Book Bans, Censorship Met with 1M Free Books for Students, Families

As the state of Florida combs through textbooks to ban content with diverse views, a national campaign pledges to deliver a million free books with …

A protest led by Democrats including Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville temporarily halted the Florida House's consideration of Gov. Ron DeSantis' congressional map. (Rep. Angie Nixon/Facebook)

DeSantis Wages War Against Anti-Racism, Corporate 'Wokeness'

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been confronting a lot of issues dealing with race and inclusion. The latest is his signing into law his version of Florida's …

Floridians can follow the state's redistricting process via floridaredistricting.gov. (State of Florida)

DeSantis Would Cut Florida's Black Representation in Half

Florida's redistricting saga continues Tuesday when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session to essentially give Gov. Ron DeSantis what …

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project rated Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2022 congressional map proposal an

Governor Vetoes Florida's Court-Approved Redistricting Map

Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed a new congressional map approved by fellow Republicans, Democrats and the Florida Supreme Court. It is a move …

As a case about Florida election-law changes that went into effect in 2021 is heard in federal court, state lawmakers are advancing even more voting restrictions. (Trimmel Gomes)

FL Lawmakers Double Down on Voting Restrictions

Florida Republicans are proposing yet another sweeping change to state election laws. The new bill would establish an Office of Election Crimes and …

Republicans in charge of Florida's redistricting process say conversations still are ongoing on how to include public participation in the redistricting process despite proposals from Democrats and advocates. (terimakasih0/Pixabay)

Will Florida Lawmakers Hold Public Hearings on Redistricting?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - When it comes to Florida's once-a-decade process of redrawing political boundaries, known as redistricting, both House and Senate …

Every 10 years, Florida legislators redraw political divisions or boundaries for state legislative and congressional districts. (DXR/Wikimedia Commons)

Advocates: Florida's Redistricting Process Needs More "Sunshine"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After census delays, Florida lawmakers kick off the complex, once-a-decade process of redrawing state legislative and …

Groups such as Veterans for Responsible Leadership and We the Veterans are urging current and former military officials to continue to stand up for democracy. (eurobanks/Adobe Stock)

Veterans Raise Concerns About Far-Right Group Membership

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Veterans across the aisle are concerned about what they call recent attacks on democracy by far-right organizations. On July 4th…

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

Only six states will gain seats in the House of Representatives in 2022: Texas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon. The U.S. Census Bureau announced new apportionment data Monday based on the 2020 U.S. Census. (Bill Oxford/The Brennan Center)

FL Group Works for Fair Process, Greater Awareness in Redistricting

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Reapportionment data announced Monday has sparked conversation about a census undercount, and lower-than-expected Florida …

Lawmakers and leaders opposed to HB1, Florida's

Civil-Rights Leaders Denounce Passage of Florida's "Anti-Riot" Bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Despite emotional testimony from Democrats and civil-rights groups, Florida's Republican lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to pass …

Current Florida law prohibits offering voters assistance within 100 feet of polling locations. HB 7041 would expand that zone to 150 feet and prohibits giving

Despite Smooth Elections, FL Bill Adds Restrictions to Vote-By-Mail

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - New restrictions to voting by mail in Florida could endanger the vote of anyone who chooses to use that option, according to …

'Anti-Riot' Bill May Be Dead on Arrival in FL Senate, Advances in House

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A controversial anti-rioting bill championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving quickly toward passage in the House, but is likely to …

Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, filed a proposal that would target local energy projects. (Pexels)

Conservationists Warn of Power Grab in FL's Energy Policy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - While Florida's electrical grid is more resilient than Texas' deregulated model, energy experts warn state lawmakers are still …

Abortion-rights advocates are expected to face roadblocks during the 2021 legislative session with several bills that would place more restrictions on abortions. (Pexel)

Reproductive-Rights Advocates Oppose 20-Week Abortion Ban

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- One of several controversial anti-abortion bills in the Florida Legislature this year would ban abortions at 20 weeks. As …

Lumina Foundation created its Racial Justice and Equity Fund in 2017 following the

Group Works to Research Internship Pay and Inequities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former unpaid interns in Congress are broadening their quest for paid internships, with a $200,000 grant to research racial …

Amendment 4, passed by Florida voters in 2018, restored voting rights to people who had been convicted of felonies but served their time. (Trimmel Gomes)

Despite Confusion, Thousands of Former FL Felons Voted Successfully

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Voting-rights advocates say they're working to keep the momentum going, registering Floridians with felony convictions so they …

Florida's climate is changing, as the peninsula has warmed more than one degree (Fahrenheit) during the last century. The sea is rising about one inch every decade, and heavy rainstorms are becoming more severe. (Pixabay)

FL Health-Care Workers Urge Action on Climate Change

Dr. Ankush Bansal is an internal medicine physician. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Dr. Bansal is an anethesiologist and pain …

Faith leaders from the New Moral Majority have voiced their support of former Vice President Joe Biden for president, citing a need for greater unity in the nation. (Russ Allison Loar/Flickr)

FL Faith Leaders Speak Out During Critical Election

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A diverse group of faith leaders from Florida and across the country is speaking out about this year's critical election…

Se invita a estudiantes con experiencia previa de College o entrenamiento t�cnico en el �rea de Tampa Bay a recibir asesor�a gratuita para ayudarles a titularse en

“LEAP Tampa Bay” mantiene vivo el Programa de Finalización de Estudios, a nivel local

TAMPA, Fla. -- Regresar a la escuela siendo adulto implica varios retos, pero el programa "Leap Tampa Bay" (Salto Tampa Bay) está ayudando a los …

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study examined every storm from 1980 to 2018 and found that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, along with changes in other human pollution, has changed how often they form in certain locations. (Pixabay)

Pressure Mounts for Climate Question During Presidential Debates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- As the nation grapples with massive wildfires, a hurricane season already on its second alphabet and intensifying drought…

Florida Labor Day Celebrations Transformed into Day of Service

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - This Labor Day, Florida labor groups are holding events across the state to celebrate working people while also calling for …

Grupos sindicales est�n organizando caravanas y d�as de actos en todo el estado, para llamar la atenci�n hacia las necesidades de las familias trabajadoras. (Karen Thomas, Space Coast AFL-CIO)

La celebración del “Labor Day” (Día del Trabajo”), convertida en “Day of Service”- “Día del Servicio”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Este Día del Trabajo (Labor Day), grupos laborales celebran eventos en todo el estado para festejar a la gente que trabaja …

Faith leaders are calling for welcoming and safe environments for immigrants, regardless of their legal status. (Daniel Di Palma/Wikimedia Commons)

Florida Faith Leaders Join Call to End Child Detention at Border

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Some Floridians have joined more than 450 faith leaders signing an open letter to President Donald Trump and the Republican …

In fiscal year 2016, Florida received more than $44 billion based on census results, for services like highway construction, nutrition assistance, healthcare and education. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Shorter Census Deadline Could Put Florida Funding at Risk

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- This year's U.S. Census count will determine how much funding Florida receives in the next decade for many crucial government-…

With the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville canceled, a dramatically scaled-down number of GOP delegates will attend a meeting in Charlotte, N.C., to nominate Donald Trump. (Pixabay)

Jacksonville Locals Praise Trump's Convention Cancellation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Some say President Donald Trump's decision to cancel the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville is a sign he's starting …

Activists are calling for greater accountability for elected officials during the pandemic as Florida records another 12,478 COVID-19 cases and 89 new deaths as of Sunday. (Pixabay/OrnaW)

Protester at DeSantis Briefing: 'We Need to Hold These Folks Accountable'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The protester at a news conference who shouted and called for the resignation of Gov. Ron DeSantis over his handling of the …

Pope Francis's environmental encyclical, Laudato Si, was published in June 2015. The document, aimed at spurring global citizens to adopt more sustainable practices, is still a subject of discussion today. (reenablack/Pixabay)

Florida Faith Leaders See Hope in Face of COVID-19

TAMPA, Fla. - Despite all the losses, challenges and restrictions brought on by the coronavirus, some faith leaders are leaning in to help find …

Florida voters in 2018 overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment to end the state's lifetime ban on voting for most people with felony convictions. (justgrimes/Flickr)

Judge Signals Support for Restoring FL Voting Rights of Former Felons

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A federal judge has signaled he'll find part of a Florida law restricting the voting rights of people with felony records …

Preocupaciones por el COVID-19 acaparan el Día de los Trabajadores

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Hoy el movimiento obrero recuerda a trabajadoras y trabajadores de todo el planeta que murieron o resultaron heridos en sus …

A federal appeals court's decision is seen as a setback for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a series of legal challenges from a Republican-led effort to make ex-felons pay court-ordered fines and fees before they can vote. (FRRC)

Class Action Could Restore Voting Rights of Former Criminal Offenders in FL

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In the quest to restore voting rights to the nearly 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions, there is new hope that …

Amendments to the Florida Constitution may be made by a joint resolution of the Florida Legislature, a citizens' initiative, or a proposal from either the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. (Florida Memory)

FL Bills Could Make it Harder for Citizens' Initiatives

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The process for citizens to change the Florida Constitution when they feel lawmakers are overlooking the will of the people …

Las enmiendas a la Constituci�n de Florida pueden ser hechas mediante una decisi�n conjunta de la Legislatura de Florida, una iniciativa ciudadana, o una propuesta ya por la Comisi�n de Revisi�n de la Constituci�n, o la Comisi�n de Taxaci�n y Reforma Presupuestal. (Florida Memory)

Ley Bliss de FL pudiera obstaculizar las iniciativas ciudadanas

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- La legislación propuesta (HB 7037/SB 1794) podría dificultar que las peticiones ciudadanas lleguen a ser votadas…

Florida is a closed-primary state, where only people registered as Republicans can vote in Republican primaries, and only those registered as Democrats can vote in Democratic primaries. (Ken Jones/Flickr)

How Will FL Officials Avoid Another Election Debacle? They Aren't Saying

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - With Florida's online voter registration deadline quickly approaching, voting rights groups want state officials to ensure …

The first Women's March in 2017 drew hundreds of thousands of people to rallies in cities across the country on the day after President Donald Trump was inaugurated. (Trimmel Gomes)

Tallahassee Women's March, Rally Call for Action

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Roughly 100 people with colorful signs rallied on the steps of Florida's historic Capitol on Saturday to celebrate the …

La Legislatura de Florida se reune cada a�o durante 60 d�as consecutivos. El Gobernador dice que el pago a los maestros ser� una de las prioridades del 2020.

Respuesta Ciudadana: fuerte contraste con la “Situación que guarda el Estado” de DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - La Legislatura de Florida comenzó este martes sus trabajos del 2020 con el Gobernador Ron DeSantos pintando una imagen de …

A coalition of Florida organizations rallies in Tallahassee against Senate Bill 7066, which stipulates all prison-related fines must be paid before a person's voting rights can be restored. (Trimmel Gomes)

FL Voting Rights Remain in Limbo with Amendment 4 Ruling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The legal fight to restore the voting rights of some 1.4 million Floridians who were formerly incarcerated will carry on…

A coalition of Florida organizations rally in Tallahassee as a federal judge hears arguments for and against Senate Bill 7066, which stipulates all fines must be paid before the restoration of voting rights. (Trimmel Gomes)

Voter Rights Group Rallies to End Limbo in Battleground Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Voting- and civil-rights groups held a rally outside a Tallahassee federal court Monday, calling for a temporary injunction to …

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FL: Civic Engagement & Voting