Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs bills to protect pets from animal cruelty
DeSantis said the bills add to the state’s “momentum” of heightened protections for pets and animals.
Ron DeSantis
Orlando Weekly covers Gov. Ron DeSantis with news on education policy, book bans, Disney’s special district, free speech issues, and state politics.
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs law taking tough stance against ‘foreign countries of concern’
It also prohibits public employees and officials from accepting gifts from those countries
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs AI data center regulations into law
Florida utility customers won’t bear additional costs brought by new large scale data centers that power AI, under the bill
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis addresses reports that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may close soon
He did not dispute the possible shutdown, instead reiterating that it is a stopgap meant to help the federal government house detainees
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis, plaintiffs agree new map breaks Florida Constitution. Does it apply anyway?
Both say the DeSantis-drawn districts violate parts of the state Constitution — but they sharply disagree about what that means
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs his new gerrymandered congressional map into law
Democrats and voting rights groups argue the map is illegal
Posted inRon DeSantis
DeSantis says he’ll sign congressional map ‘as soon as I get it’
Democrats and voting rights groups have announced plans to contest the maps in court once signed
Posted inFlorida News, News, Ron DeSantis
‘Rigging the system’: Advocacy groups blast approval of DeSantis’ gerrymandered map
Advocacy groups made clear their opposition and expectation of legal challenges
Posted inFlorida News
Florida House approves DeSantis’ gerrymandered map
The map could give Republicans up to four new congressional districts
Posted inFlorida News
Counsel for DeSantis tells lawmakers they can ignore Fair Districts Amendments in approving new map
DeSantis’ new map is likely to add as many as four Republican congressional seats to the 20 out of 28 that they now hold in Florida
Posted inRon DeSantis
Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI regulation, vaccine repeal bills on first day of special session
The only topic the Florida House will address during the four-day special session is redrawing the state’s congressional maps
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis clears the way for church volunteers to carry guns
The measure allows Florida volunteer security guards at houses of worship to carry guns without facing state licensing requirements
Posted inFlorida News
Florida has fourth highest number of measles cases so far this year, CDC says
Meanwhile, DeSantis wants to pass legislation to make it easier for parents to turn down the required vaccines for public school students
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis’ new congressional map aims to add four GOP seats
The governor released the map first to Fox News before sending to lawmakers an hour later
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis pressures House to pass AI Bill of Rights, references FSU shooting
The bill is being revived just after AG Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI for its alleged role in the FSU shooting
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis delays redistricting special session, adds AI and vaccines
The new session — which includes two of the governor’s top bills that failed during the regular session — runs from April 28 to May 1
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis approves UFC-themed Florida license plate
The measure includes new plates for some South Florida high schools and the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Posted inNews
Advocates fear Florida’s terrorist law could reach beyond Muslim groups
“Today, bills like this target them. Tomorrow it could be me. But history tells us these measures never stop with just one people.”
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis plays down lack of Supreme Court opinion in justifying redistricting effort
Polls show that Floridians oppose the effort
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote — voting rights group sue
It will take effect Jan. 1, 2027