Public News Service

IRS Direct File is a new tax tool to file federal income tax returns for free, directly with the IRS. It comes with access to live customer service representatives who can answer tax questions. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Get ahead of Tax Day: IRS introduces free tax-filing program

Florida residents can now file their simple income-tax forms for free and save time through the Internal Revenue Service's Direct File pilot program…

Oral-health experts note the fact that everyone's mouth is full of bacteria. They recommend a daily routine of brushing and flossing as the best defense against bad bacteria known as plaque. (renatalferro/Pixabay)

Expert tips to prevent cavities for Children's Dental Health Month

Beyond celebrating Valentine's Day, February is Children's Dental Health Month - which serves as a reminder to prioritize oral health habits that can …

According to the United Health Foundation's latest America's Health Rankings report, Florida is 46th in the nation when it comes to people being uninsured. (Pixabay)

FL sees drop in national health rankings among states

Florida has dropped to the 31st position among states in national health rankings. It's a decline from last year's 27th spot. Local public health …

The Biden administration unveiled the U.S. Labor Department's proposed Retirement Security Rule, which aims to restrict

Proposed rule aims to protect retirement savers from unscrupulous advisers

The Biden administration has proposed a rule to help people save more in retirement and avoid "junk" fees from unscrupulous financial advisers…

Florida Power & Light, a subsidiary of NextEra, continues to receive a high grade when it comes to its plans to transition to clean energy, according to the Sierra Club's 2023 Dirty Truth Report. (Ulleo/Pixabay)

Report: Florida Power & Light scores high in transition to clean energy

In its latest report rating the progress of utility companies transitioning from fossil fuels such as coal into clean energy like wind and solar…

Nov. 1 is the first day you can enroll, re-enroll or change health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The dates for changes are mid-Sept through early December for employer-sponsored coverage, and from Oct. 15-Dec. 7 for Medicare. (Edar/Pixabay)

Avoid last-minute crush of choosing a health plan

When it comes to open enrollment and navigating the many health care options, experts say starting your research sooner rather than later is the best …

According to data from AHCA, as of October 2022, there are approximately 5.5 million Floridians enrolled in Medicaid. (Pixabay)

Florida's Medicaid Redetermination Issues, Coverage Losses in Spotlight

Health policy experts are highlighting a multitude of concerns regarding Florida's Medicaid Redetermination process, claiming it results in a lack of …

Even as they celebrate National Health Centers Week, advocates warned community health centers are navigating financial uncertainty. (Pixabay)

Community Health Centers See Record Number of Patients Seeking Care

This has been National Health Center Week, to showcase the impact of community health centers serving a growing number of patients in Florida and …

A new report shows how at least 75 cities and towns have successfully blocked new dollar store projects, claiming the stores engage in predatory practices. (Pixabay)

Report: Chain 'Dollar Stores' Harmful Communities

Dollar-store chains are rapidly growing across the country, with more locations than McDonald's, Starbucks, Target and Walmart combined, according to …

In the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 federal legislation provided states with significant funding to ensure continuous Medicaid coverage of individuals enrolled in the program. But that is ending. (Pixabay)

FL Group Works to Keep Eligible People on Medicaid

As Florida "unwinds" from the COVID-19 public health emergency and returns its Medicaid program to pre-pandemic rules, there's a possibility that …

Eye-care professionals say limiting screen time before bedtime, using blue light-blocking filters on your devices, and wearing blue light-blocking glasses can all help protect from potential health risks. (Pixabay)

Blue Light Exposure: Understanding the Risks

With the increasing use of digital devices and computers in daily life, we're all exposed to more and more blue light. They may be convenient and …

About 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes every year, and the American Diabetes Association found one in four rations insulin treatments. (Pixabay)

FL Nonprofit Helps Offset High Cost of Insulin

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a disease affecting more than 37 million Americans, as well as the hefty …

This year, a bill in the Florida Senate to reform the 340B process with respect to insurance company pharmacy benefit managers died in committee. (Pixabay)

Health Centers Continue Fight Against 'Big Pharma' Over Drug Savings Program

A case that pits Big Pharma against Community Health Centers that serve low-income and uninsured patients advanced this week with opening arguments on…

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, enrollment continues to vary significantly by state. However, consistent with prior years, the highest enrollment was seen in Florida, with about 2.7 million consumers, followed by California with nearly 1.8 million consumers. (Pixabay)

Florida's Open Enrollment for ACA Insurance Begins Nov. 1

Florida has seen record high enrollment for health insurance in recent years, and the trend is expected to continue as open enrollment through the …

Health experts say making sure children are current with all their check-ups is important to their health and academic success. (Pixabay)

Experts Urge Checkups for Florida Kids, Including Mental Health

Experts are reminding parents to schedule time to get health screenings for kids - and to also think beyond the basic back-to-school physical…

Una encuesta de testamentos de Caring.com en 2022, revela que uno de cada tres estadounidenses sin planes patrimoniales piensa que tiene muy pocos bienes para dejar. (Pixabay)

Piense en los demás cuando piense en la vida después de la muerte

Pensar en la vida después de la muerte es desalentador, pero podría ayudar el pensar en la vida de sus seres queridos en caso de que usted …

In Florida, 308 small businesses have benefited from SOAR loans. (Adobe Stock)

SOAR Fund Keeps FL Small Businesses Going Strong

Florida small businesses looking for financial help often have limited options, but there is a new opportunity for assistance. A group of community …

The 340B Drug Pricing Program is an outpatient drug program. (HeungSoon/Pixabay)

Community Health Centers Call for Added Protections

Community health centers are calling on state and federal lawmakers for added protections against drug manufactures for drastically cutting them out o…

First-time home buyer Hector Aguilar worked in agriculture for 15 years to save for a down payment on a mortgage. When he searched for a financial institution to help make his dream come true, he found Self-Help. (Self-Help Credit Union)

Promoting Homeownership as Means to Financial Freedom

There's been little change in the homeownership rate for Black families in 50 years, so some lenders are rethinking their practices to make buying a …

According to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Florida insurance industry has seen two straight years of net underwriting losses exceeding $1 billion each year. (Pixabay)

FL Lawmakers Miss Climate Change in Fixes to Property-Insurance Crisis

Florida lawmakers have signed off on quick fixes to the state's property insurance crisis - but critics say the plan pays little attention to the grow…

A bill before Gov. Ron DeSantis directs the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to change net-metering requirements to have customers pay the full cost of electric service instead of that cost being

DeSantis Urged to Save Sunshine State's Solar Industry with a Veto

The future of the Sunshine State's solar industry now depends on Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto pen. Solar-power advocates want the governor to veto a bill …

According to the White House, more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds. (fancycrave1/Pixabay)

Rural Florida Cites Need for Better, Cheaper Broadband

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress contains $65 billion to give every American affordable …

FL Health Groups Urge Senate Passage of Build Back Better

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Healthcare reform advocates are asking U.S. senators to pass the Build Back Better Act, saying it would provide a federal fix for …

Florida KidCare es la marca general de los cuatro programas de seguro m�dico patrocinados por el gobierno: Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids y el Plan de salud de Servicios m�dicos para ni�os (CMS). (Semevent / Pixabay)

Grupos de salud en Florida instan al Senado a aprobar Build Back Better

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Defensores de la reforma del sistema de salud están pidiendo a los senadores de los Estados Unidos que aprueben la Ley Build …

The Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund lenders are Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), serving small businesses that often can't get credit from traditional banks. (Adobe Stock)

Fund Focuses on Post-Pandemic Support for FL Small Businesses

MIAMI, Fla. -- As Florida and other southern states recover from the financial impact of the pandemic, one program aims to ensure small businesses …

The third full week in October ushers in National Business Women's Week each year. (Pixabay)

National Business Women’s Week Highlights Need for Credit Equity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After discovering the healing powers of eating natural, healthy foods, one Jacksonville woman sought to show her community what …

Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry's, could land on a list of more than 60 blacklisted companies prohibited from doing business with the State of Florida. (Stevepb/Pixabay)

FL Dems: DeSantis Should Focus on COVID, Not Ben & Jerry's

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis is promising to block any state money from going to the parent company of ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry's unless …

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) decided not to act to change the state's net-metering rule at its Sept. 17, 2020, workshop on Customer-Owned Renewable Generation. (mrganso/Pixabay)

Report: Power Companies Block Rooftop Solar Growth in FL, US

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A new report shows an effort by investor-owned utilities in the Sunshine State to block the growth of rooftop solar. The …

Desde el inicio de la pandemia, hace m�s de un a�o, Florida ha pagado cerca de $30 billones en beneficios por desempleo. (Pexels)

Una Petición insta al gobernador de Florida a restablecer los beneficios “vitales” de desempleo

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Trabajadores despedidos están apelando ante el Gobernador Ron DeSantis para que revierta los planes de terminar un programa …

Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont all have banned the sale of neonicotinoids, bee-killing pesticide, according to Environment America. Florida has yet to do so, but the group hopes it also will take action in order to save the insect. (Adobe Stock)

On Earth Day, Environmentalists Push to Save Bees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today is Earth Day, and environmental advocates are calling on citizens to do their part to save the bees. National …

Florida contin�a resistiendo significativas llamadas e incentivos financieros para expandir la elegibilidad de Medicaid para casi todos los adultos y ni�os pobres del estado. (Trimmel Gomes)

FL pierde financiación de Medicaid en el paquete de ayuda COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Existe presión para que estados como Florida amplíen Medicaid, ahora que están perdiendo miles de millones de …

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 …

Navigator Natalie M. and consumer Omar Luna at Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center review Luna's health-insurance options. (Epilepsy Florida)

Unbiased Help to Navigate Obamacare Open Enrollment

MIAMI - Open enrollment for Obamacare is in full swing in Florida, even as the U.S. Supreme Court listened to oral arguments this week on whether the …

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 …

Health-care advocates are bracing for an even larger increase in the number of Florida kids without health insurance as a result of the pandemic. (Pixabay)

Report: Florida Sees Major Increase in Kids without Health Coverage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The number of children without access to health coverage is on the rise in Florida. An annual report released today by the …

The Democratic-led House passed a bill to stop changes to the U.S. Postal Service and provide $25 billion in funding. (TanteTati/Pixabay)

USPS Workers Express Internal Concerns, Call for Funding

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Unions representing postal workers in Florida are calling for the postmaster general to permanently reverse changes that have …

Trabajadores del USPS manifiestan inquietudes internas y solicitan financiamiento

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Los trabajadores del U.S. Postal Service (Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos) de Florida manifiestan preocupación sobre …

About half of Florida's households (49.8%) have a member who lost income between March and June. (Pixabay)

Hunger Persists for FL Families Under Stalled Stimulus Package

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- There are urgent calls for legislators to act quickly to ensure all Florida families can meet their basic needs during and after …

The Postal Service is requesting $10 billion to cover operating losses as well as regulatory changes. (Pixabay)

Bipartisan Bill Could Mean $25 Billion Stimulus to Postal Service

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The slowdown of mail service across the country is causing a ripple effect that is placing a strain on small businesses that …

Living shorelines refer to a broad range of shoreline stabilization techniques that use vegetation, shellfish or other natural resources to stabilize estuarine coasts, bays and tributaries. (Jennifer McPeak/National Wildlife Federation)

Report: Nature Among Best Defenses from Natural Disasters

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A new report shows the best protections from natural disasters could come from nature itself. "The Protective Value of Nature" …

Hurricane Dorian made it to Category 5 and parked above the Bahamas, flattening structures and leaving some 70,000 people homeless. (wikipedia)

How Can FL Reduce Economic Risk During Hurricane Season?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Atlantic hurricane season is now underway, and major forecasters are predicting it to be busy with above-normal activity…

Nearly two-thirds of uninsured Latino children reside in five states, including Florida, according to Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Victoria_Borodinova/Pixabay)

COVID-19 Spotlights FL's Uninsured Latino Children

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The COVID-19 health crisis has many Americans without health insurance on edge, and a new report says Latino children are …

A new bill to create an aquatic preserve on the coasts of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties would become the 42nd such preserve in Florida. (Charlie Shoemaker/The Pew Charitable Trusts)

FL Legislature Approves Bill Creating New Aquatic Preserve

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- On Wednesday, the Florida Legislature approved a bill that would provide protections to the largest seagrass bed in the Gulf of …

Florida could join six other states, including Kentucky and Mississippi, that have eliminated their driver licenses suspension penalties. Texas and Georgia are considering it, too. (Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles)

FL Bill Would End License Suspensions for Cash-Strapped Drivers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Legislature could end the state's practice of suspending the licenses of people driving with unpaid fines and fees…

Ben & Jerry's has launched a new ice cream flavor to coincide with its multi-year campaign for criminal justice reform. (Pixabay)

Ben & Jerry's Joins Groups to 'Scoop' Criminal Justice Reform

MIAMI – Ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry's says everyone deserves the sweet taste of justice, and wants its new flavor to call attention to what the …

Florida's minimum wage is set at $8.46 per hour. (Pixabay)

Pressure Mounts for Increasing Federal, State Minimum Wage to $15

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The battle to raise Florida's and the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour continues. Orlando attorney, entrepreneur…

A well-maintained food garden yields a half-pound of produce per square foot per growing season, according to the National Gardening Association. (Pixabay)

New Florida Law on Home Gardens Banishes Local Ordinances

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As of today, Florida property owners can grow fresh produce in their yards without fear of local government restrictions…

Access to sufficient feminine hygiene products isn�t always guaranteed to women in Florida jails and prisons, but newly passed legislation could soon change that. (PatriciaMoraleda/Pixabay)

'Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act' Awaits Governor's Signature

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Incarcerated women could soon be guaranteed access to basic hygiene products, like pads and tampons, under a bill awaiting …

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