Latest Florida state government News

Disney, DeSantis legal fights ratchet up as company demands documents from Florida governor

Sep. 30, 2023 16:21 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week. The Florida governor asked that the company's First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the...

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

Sep. 29, 2023 15:04 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices will review laws enacted by Republican-dominated legislatures and signed by Republican...

Disney World government will give employees stipend after backlash for taking away park passes

Sep. 27, 2023 20:46 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Facing a backlash, Walt Disney World's governing district will pay a stipend to employees whose free passes and discounts to the theme park resort were eliminated under a policy made by a new district administrator and board members who are allies of Florida Gov. Ron...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Sep. 20, 2023 07:15 AM EDT

Orlando Sentinel. September 13, 2023. Editorial: Florida Supreme Court justices parrot fiction on 15-week abortion ban When lawyers opposing Florida’s 15-week limit on safe, legal abortions arrived at the majestic state Supreme Court building Friday, they knew they...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Sep. 13, 2023 12:56 PM EDT

Orlando Sentinel. September 10, 2023. Editorial: Prosecutor Worrell blasts back at DeSantis’ suspension – and scores Time and again, Gov. Ron DeSantis has gotten away with actions that few other governors would even consider. Among them: Vendettas against other...

Trial for ex-Baltimore prosecutor is moved outside the city due to potential juror bias, judge says

Sep. 08, 2023 16:01 PM EDT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore’s former top prosecutor, who was charged last year with perjury and mortgage fraud, will be tried outside the city because potential jurors may have been biased by extensive media coverage of the case, a federal judge ruled Friday. Over two terms as...

A Democratic prosecutor is challenging her suspension by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Sep. 07, 2023 17:51 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida state attorney whose suspension marks the second time Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has removed a top Democratic prosecutor from office because of policy differences is challenging the decision. DeSantis failed to demonstrate that Monique Worrell was...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Moms for Liberty co-founder to state Commission on Ethics

Sep. 06, 2023 18:30 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over school boards in multiple states, to the Florida Commission on Ethics on Wednesday. Tina Descovich was named to the...

Disney wants to narrow the scope of its lawsuit against DeSantis to free speech claim

Sep. 03, 2023 13:21 PM EDT

Disney wants to narrow the scope of its federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis to just a free speech claim that the Florida governor retaliated against the company because of its public opposition to a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades....

No power and nowhere to stay as rural Florida starts recovering from Hurricane Idalia

Sep. 01, 2023 16:54 PM EDT

HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The worst of Hurricane Idalia left residents of a region of tight-knit communities trying to find places to live as they rebuild — if they decide it's even worth it — and waiting potentially weeks for electricity to be restored after winds and water took out...