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Florida bill rolling back child labor protections advances; critics say it’s unnecessary
There’s already a waiver system in place to allow older teens to work more.
McKenna Schueler
General news reporter for Orlando Weekly, with a focus on state and local government and workers' rights. You can find her bylines in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, In These Times, and Facing South.
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Florida saw the largest decline in abortions last year of any state, new report shows
Florida used to be a regional hub for abortion access in the South.
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Orlando’s LGBT+ Center kicks off new fundraising campaign to offset federal funding cuts
The decades-old resource hub for Orlando’s LGBTQ community set an initial goal of $250,000.
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Lawmakers seek state funds for local projects and programs in Orlando and across Florida
The Pulse memorial is among local projects that lawmakers are seeking funds for
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Florida lawmakers advance ‘corporate handout’ bill that would gut protections for temp workers
More than a dozen safeguards for day laborers would be gutted if the 1995 Labor Pool Act is repealed.
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Florida Republicans signal support for banning guaranteed income programs funded by taxpayer dollars
Once again, it’s a heavy-handed solution to a nonexistent problem.
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‘The sense of betrayal is real’: Immigrant rights advocates call on Orlando to rescind ICE agreement
Critics argue the city’s participation in the federal immigration enforcement program is voluntary, while the Florida AG implies not taking part is illegal.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed for child labor rollbacks behind the scenes, records show
Email communications first obtained by Orlando Weekly through a public records request show that staffers from DeSantis’s office emailed draft legislation for Republican lawmakers to file.
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Children, older adults make up more than 40 percent of Central Florida’s homeless population
More than 8,000 OCPS students identified as homeless this month — the highest number of any school district in the state, according to preliminary data.
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Florida Republicans advance bill that would weaken child labor regulations for teens as young as 13
The bill is sponsored by freshman Florida Rep. Monique Miller, a self-described activist affiliated with Moms for Liberty.
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Orange County school leaders, students warn Florida bill would cut funding for AP courses, dual enrollment
Orange County schools warn their district alone could stand to lose nearly $17 million in funding for certain courses and programs
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Federal library agency disruptions could threaten funding for Florida museums, libraries
The status of millions of dollars in grants given to state and local institutions in Florida this year is unclear.
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New drop-in day center for homeless youth to open this month in Orlando’s Pine Hills neighborhood
The day center will offer access to computers, showers and laundry, in addition to case management and mental health counseling
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Canada launches billboard campaign in Central Florida on U.S. tariffs
Billboards funded by the Canadian government have been spotted throughout Florida and other states
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UCF president welcomes DeSantis’ promise to cut ‘wasteful spending’ through Florida DOGE
UCF is Florida’s largest public university by enrollment, with an operating budget of $2 billion.
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Orange County Clerk of Courts expands affordable legal aid program to new Winter Park location
The program is meant to help people who may not be able to afford to hire an attorney to represent them in court.
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Overdose deaths in Orange County dropped 30 percent in 2024, new data shows
Specifically, opioid-related overdose deaths dropped 37 percent last year.
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For thee but not for me: Florida Republican lawmaker wants tighter rules for union elections
If Rep. Persons-Mulicka had been subject to the same election requirements, she wouldn’t be in office today.
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Florida Republicans express concern, still give thumbs-up to bill weakening child labor protections
The bill barely squeaked through its first committee stop, with a 5-4 vote in favor.