Latest Ron DeSantis News

Florida rivals ask courts to stop online sports gambling off tribal lands

Mar. 15, 2024 16:49 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be raking in hundreds of millions of dollars from online sports betting this decade, thanks to a compact between the tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis that gave the tribe exclusive rights to run sports wagers as well as...

DeSantis signs bills that he says will keep immigrants living in the US illegally from Florida

Mar. 15, 2024 16:45 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bills Friday that increase the prison and jail sentences for immigrants who are living in the United States illegally if they are convicted of driving without a license or committing felonies. DeSantis is a frequent critic...

Things to know about developments impacting LGBTQ+ rights across the US

Mar. 15, 2024 15:21 PM EDT

A legal settlement in Florida, legislative action in Arkansas and a lawsuit in Georgia this week made waves in an ongoing national battle over the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. Over the past three years or so, many Republican officials have been trying to limit those rights, imposing...

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

Mar. 13, 2024 19:59 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The shakeup of Walt Disney World's governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney. Martin Garcia's departure as...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Mar. 13, 2024 19:40 PM EDT

South Florida Sun Sentinel. March 11, 2024. Editorial: Start flexing some veto muscle, Gov. DeSantis They sabotaged the Commission on Ethics. They protected rogue cops from civilian review boards. They invited unqualified chaplains into public schools. ...

DeSantis orders Florida resources to stop Haitian migrants despite no sign of increased activity

Mar. 13, 2024 17:16 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, anticipating what his office called the “possibility for invasion," ordered more than 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys on Wednesday to stop Haitian migrants fleeing violence — or nearly two people deployed for...

What to know about a settlement that clarifies what's legal under Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law

Mar. 12, 2024 15:30 PM EDT

The Florida law labeled by critics as “ Don't Say Gay ” is remaining in place under a settlement reached this week between the state and parents, students, teachers and advocacy groups who challenged it in court. But the fallout that gave it that nickname is nixed under the deal....

NAACP urges student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state eliminates DEI programs

Mar. 12, 2024 09:10 AM EDT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Black student-athletes should reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida, the NAACP said in a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker on Monday. The letter was in response to the University of Florida and other state schools that have...

Florida teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender ID under 'Don't Say Gay' bill settlement

Mar. 11, 2024 18:23 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction, under a settlement reached Monday between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged a state law which...

Fight between Disney and DeSantis appointees over district control gets a July court hearing

Mar. 11, 2024 11:04 AM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The court fight between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees over control of Walt Disney World's government won't be decided until at least this summer, provided the two sides don't reach a settlement beforehand. A hearing over whether the state...