On tonight’s program: As mail in ballots return to elections offices, data shows more Democrats have voted so far than Republicans, but experts don’t expect that lead to last; The race for a North Florida state Senate seat is heating up; And we’ll hear about how to fight disinformation and misinformation during disasters and their recovery; As Floridians recover from three different hurricanes, questions about insurance are growing; One line worker shares what keeps her going as she works to get the lights back on in her community; And a group of seniors gathers to reflect on their experiences following the recent hurricanes.

On tonight’s program: This year’s hurricane season has taken a toll on Floridians. With back-to-back storms some are struggling to recover; As conspiracy theories and misinformation about the recent hurricanes and the recovery process spread, officials worry about the consequences; A battle is brewing to extend the voter registration deadline after concerns that Hurricanes Milton and Helene could disenfranchise voters; After a storm, one of the primary concerns is often how quickly the electricity will be restored. That answer starts with the transmission lines; As severe weather becomes more common in the state and across the country, Floridians may soon receive more guidance about to expect, and how to prepare, for the future; And after years of planning, one community is working to remove what’s often a major barrier to getting mental healthcare, by providing housing for those in treatment.

On tonight's program: There’s a new Florida law restricting the places unhoused folks can sleep in Florida; The big push in advance of election day is on. Those for and against Florida’s constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access are kicking up their marketing campaigns; We hear from a man who saw Hurricane Helene at its worst; A respected meteorologist explains why we shouldn’t focus ONLY on the hurricane cone; Even though Helene made official landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, its devastation extended for hundreds of miles, including the Tampa Bay area; And it seems much of the storm damage may not be covered by regular homeowner’s insurance policies.

On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis wants lawmakers to come back to Tallahassee before the 2025 Session to tackle the matter of unsafe condominiums; What’s the old saying about blending politics and religion usually being a bad idea? Florida’s present abortion debate runs counter to that wisdom; This is suicide prevention month. We speak with a family that is using its own tragic loss as a way to reach and help others; Florida voters will have a chance in November to reduce their property taxes. But only if inflation goes up; Another proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution would make local school board races partisan affairs. But it may not have the impact many of its supporters would like; And we follow the inspiring adventures of some very aware kids.

On tonight's program: Supporters of Amendment 4, which would enshrine access to abortion in the FloridaConstitution, charge the DeSantis administration of trying to muddy the electoral waters; Governor DeSantis claims some of the petitions that put Amendment 4 on the Florida ballot were fraudulent. The governor’s opponents are calling that a “voter suppression” tactic; With abortions nearly unavailable in Florida, it seems more people are opting for pregnancy prevention strategies; Unregistered voters can’t vote. So that’s sparking a big voter registration push in advance of the November election; Florida’s high court mulls over the way state officials redrew a number of congressional district lines; Voting for appellate judges and supreme court justices is unique in Florida; and Florida has a condo crisis. The state is moving to ramp up inspections for older buildings and impose more regulations on new construction. But some believe it’s all happening too fast.

On tonight’s program: Outright lies in political advertising? Who could imagine such a thing?; How do you match a political message to its intended audience? It’s a combination of art and science; For a growing number of people who have mental health issues, a stay in a Florida jail or prison is essentially a death sentence; A Florida program to help kids with disabilities get ready for great careers is looking to grow the number of students it serves; And Florida is also ramping up the number of student nurses in the pipeline in response to a rapidly growing need.

On tonight’s program: An execution in Florida revives the ongoing conflict between supporters and opponents; A plan to add golf courses and pickleball courts to some of Florida’s state parks raises a royal ruckus; Advocates are looking to an Alabama gender affirming care case for clues on what might be next for Florida; Low-income Florida school kids missed out on a summer meals program this year. But what about next year?; We revisit an area that’s still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Idalia; Last week’s low voter turnout in Florida doesn’t seem to be alarming too many people.

On tonight’s program: A now-fired Okalaloosa County deputy sheriff faces formal charges in connection with the shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson back in May; Kamela Harris becomes the official Democratic candidate for president, much to the delight of many Florida Democrats; Is Governor Ron DeSantis’s political clout beginning to wane? We’ll have some analysis in that regard; Voter turnout continues to slip in Florida; We have the second and final story in our series about the impact of Florida’s new abortion restrictions; And the Olympics are over, but the Paralympics start next week. We’ll hear from a world champion swimmer who is heading to the Paralympic games for the first time.

On tonight’s program: It seems the former president of the University of Florida wasn’t exactly thrifty when it came to his office spending; A big administrative shakeup is underway at Florida A&M University as an interim president takes over. Among those who’ve packed their bags….; A Florida ban on what’s known as “cultivated meat” is being challenged in court; The battle for Florida State Senate District Three has become more than a little bit interesting; Florida’s stricter abortion restrictions have prompted a growing degree of out-of-state travel by those seeking that procedure; While more homeowners are being forced into Citizens Insurance, that ultimately means higher prices, even for those who aren’t policyholders; And there’s often a reason why college and university students have to wait awhile until landlords repair the property damage from the previous student renters.

On tonight's program: Governor Ron DeSantis has some definite thoughts about a fellow-governor who’s the Democratic pick for vice president; With so much fake news abounding, at least one media organization says it can help voters separate fact from fiction; The season’s first hurricane to strike Florida comes ashore in the state’s Big Bend region, although its impacts were felt much further afield; Amidst a cornucopia of challenges, Florida A&M University begins the search for a new, permanent leader; And if you think YOUR job is hot this summer, try working in a food truck.

On tonight's program: As this year’s election nears, the debate continues over whether Florida’s voting laws are too strict or not strict enough; We listen in on an extended conversation with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush; A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing recreation pot in Florida remains a contentious issue heading into the election. It’s a proposal that’s still getting a lot of pushback from Governor DeSantis; A statewide ban on local rules mandating water breaks for outside workers have both workers and some local governments doing a slow burn; And with a shortage of traditional space, some non-traditional schools are winding up in some unlikely locations.

On tonight’s program: As a new presidential candidate rises to the fore, Florida Democrats seem to be getting behind her; A Florida lawmaker insists state school vouchers shouldn’t apply to all religious institutions of learning; Florida used to be a top filming location for TV shows and movies. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore; For many students and their parents, the dubious joys of filling out financial disclosure paperwork for student loans is now underway; And top-tier high school athletes in Florida will now be able to profit from their fame.

On tonight’s program: We take a uniquely Florida look at the Republican National Convention that wrapped up last night; Why did the G.O.P. presidential nominee pick a relative unknown for his running mate and what does that mean for some prominent Florida politicians?; Hunting and fishing rights will be on the ballot in November; Arts organizations all over Florida are scrambling to stay afloat after a wholesale veto of state grant funding; And a changing of the guard is coming to Florida A&M University as President Larry Robinson prepares to step down.

On tonight's program: Water breaks for outside workers, if ordered by local governments, are now banned in Florida Could federal action restore those heat protections? With the words “climate change” banned from state government in Florida, it seems some local jurisdictions are picking up the slack; With the incidence of hostile hacks on the rise, we’ll take a look at what can be done to foil the cybercrooks; Governor DeSantis’s statewide veto of arts and culture funding is drawing opposition; Youthful advocates make the difference as Florida lawmakers finally extend the services available for former foster kids; And who’s to blame for all the political conflicts nowadays? A seasoned and savvy lawmaker suggests there’s lots of blame to spread around.

On tonight’s program: Could President Biden’s less-than-stellar performance on the debate stage last week tarnish the electoral chances of Florida Democrats?; A new law allowing religious chaplains to be school counselors could have some unintended consequences; Some state education officials aren’t exactly thrilled about the academic achievement at two publicly funded universities; The Union of Concerned Scientists is especially concerned about the state of Florida; The question rages on in Tallahassee: how much will a proposed constitutional amendment actually cost if it passes?; The Florida Highway Patrol is urging special caution on the highways during the long and deadly Fourth of July weekend; And a new state law will force local Florida cities that use red light cameras for traffic law enforcement to be more forthcoming about where the money goes.

On tonight’s program: Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade handing abortion decisions to individual states, abortion access advocates are speaking out; Survivors of now-shuttered reform schools are celebrating a monumental effort to compensate them for the horrific abuse they suffered. And the governor’s decision to eliminate local arts funding from the state budget sends the community reeling; The U.S. Supreme Court says cities and counties can enforce bans on sleeping outside. And a new Florida law takes effect in October to do just that. Now advocates worry the state is criminalizing homelessness; Floridians fed up with so-called nuisance black bears can now shoot if they feel threatened. But one researcher says it’s all a misunderstanding; And the state makes a forceful pushback on antisemitism with a set of new laws.

On tonight's program: Legislative leaders say they will use reserve funds to pay workers after a surprise veto by the governor; New services for Florida’s military veterans bring near universal applause; Governor DeSantis’s “Stop Woke” act is facing a court challenge; A bill imposing tougher financial disclosure standards for city officials versus county officials in Florida is on hold following a federal judge’s ruling; Still awaiting the governor’s action – or inaction – is a bill stripping away most of the power wielded by local ethics boards when it comes to the misbehavior of elected officials; The cost of Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access was unclear. But that’s apparently resolved and the issue should be ready for the November ballot; And we tag along with a Juneteenth observance that turned out to be a real learning experience.

On tonight’s program: Those seeking gender affirming care in Florida now have even more hurdles to contend with; Both federal and state law enforcers agree human trafficking is horrible. What they don’t agree about is how to handle the cases; Despite claims that Florida’s teachers are seeing big boosts in their pay – with more on the way – others are taking issue with that; Oh, the challenges that face our special ed teachers, which explains the current shortage; Population changes in Florida are just one factor contributing to recent jumps in the cost of living for Floridians; Florida’s new citrus production numbers continue the downslide; And while Florida’s considered the nation’s number one state for boating, it’s also the number one state for boating accidents.

On tonight’s program: It’s officially hurricane season. And lots of disaster experts are saying it’s often best to stay close to home when the storm warnings go up; Hurricane forecasters have come up with some different-looking models to predict where the storms are headed. We’ll see what’s up with that; The times are getting tough for the little, independent drug store on the corner. We’ll find out why; Florida’s program to encourage more dads to stay connected to their kids has been around for a couple of years. How’s it going?; As the possibility of some Florida high school athletes making bank from their prowess, not everyone is excited with that prospect. We have two reports on the subject; And Florida’s traditional citrus crops have been devastated by citrus greening disease, making the producers that are left ever more desperate for solutions.

On tonight's program: We have reaction to yesterday’s historic guilty verdict for former President Donald Trump; One group says Florida has lots of folks listed twice on its voter rolls. Others say it’s just a ploy to dump properly registered voters; What could be an all-time record hurricane season officially begins tomorrow. How ready are you? How can state and local officials effectively communicate emergency information to those in Florida for whom English is essentially a foreign language; The murkiness and controversy surrounding the largest donation ever to a Historically Black University continues; And with STEM teachers at a premium in Florida, a new effort is underway to funnel students who are proficient in that area directly into the teaching profession.

On tonight's program: Governor DeSantis’s desk piles up with new bills this week; Technically, Florida’s new abortion restriction has exceptions. But the legal language about them is vague; Forecasters are predicting a hurricane season without precedent in recorded history; Florida’s utility companies are preparing for permanently stronger hurricane seasons; A nationally-known climate reporter has written a book on how kids can cope in a world that’s steadily warming; Saying a national human trafficking hotline is reluctant to bring police into cases, Florida sets up its own hotline. The national hotline people are still wondering….why? And another Florida shooting involving a police officer is calling into question the kind of training law enforcers receive when dealing with potential life and death situations.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s Capital City struggles to recover from the three tornadoes that slammed into it one week ago today; Hurricane season is still weeks away. But the insurance industry is already predicting rate hikes if the worst happens; Florida has issued new rules about the now-in-effect abortion restrictions. But some say those rules just muddy the water; We attend a funeral for a North Florida airman, who died at the hands of a police officer; Have you moved back to the office full-time after COVID made working from home more of an option for many employees? It seems that trend has done a number on the state’s commercial real estate market; And we hear about a commonly available substance that is questioned by many experts, but is applauded by its users.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s Capital City takes a big hit from mother nature during the pre-dawn hours this morning; A Northwest Florida law officer’s fatal shooting of an air force airman raises many questions and plenty of grief; A big donation to Florida A&M University turns out to have more than a few possible problems connected with it; Florida’s new abortion restriction became effective just over a week ago and that issue is now prime fodder for the upcoming election; And a newly signed law about occupational hazards for firefighters has sparked yet more potential conflict between a Florida city and the state’s firefighters union.

On tonight's program: What lies ahead for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? Another plan to search for fossil fuels in the delicate Apalachicola River basin has opponents rushing to the barricades; It’s not yet a law, but a bill allowing people who feel threatened to shoot black bears has advocates and opponents locked in verbal combat; Jobs are going begging for workers in South Florida. One of the reasons? High housing prices; And we’ll find the secret to making the so-called “Golden Years” healthier and happier is to stay involved, connected and active!

On tonight’s program: Florida colleges and universities are – so far – experiencing only modest protests in support of Gaza as the war with Israel goes on; Florida’s six-week abortion ban takes effect in days. We’ll see how it will impact those on both sides; On this Confederate Memorial Day – and yes, it’s still an official observance in Florida – we’ll talk about other monuments to the “lost cause”; Florida’s unhoused population keeps growing and there are those who are using this fact to political advantage; President Biden still has a lead over former President Trump among young people. Florida Democrats hope those young people will give the incumbent the winning edge in November; And Florida expands its DNA sampling to include everybody who’s arrested

On tonight's program: A looming six-week abortion ban in Florida has advocates scrambling to ensure some kind of care will remain accessible; Florida dives into a voucher program that advocates hope will drown-proof more kids; With a voter referendum on recreational marijuana coming in November, some people are still sounding bells of alarm; While pot opponents – like Governor DeSantis – believe loosening the state’s marijuana laws would be catastrophic, not everyone is so sure; A young Florida mom struggles to keep her opioid addiction at bay; And Florida bids goodbye to a statesman. Perhaps one of the last in our modern era.

On tonight’s program: An organization supporting transgender people in Tallahassee has gotten national attention; Governor DeSantis signs a bill into law ramping up penalties for interfering with law officers; Florida has a new law imposing harsher penalties on those convicted of retail theft; More and more Florida seniors are finding a place to live less and less affordable; The opioid crisis remains a crisis, although a Medicaid expansion in places like Florida is being touted as a powerful tool to help the fight; And some ancient Native American wisdom may be the best way to deal with some very modern problems.

On tonight’s program: Florida voters will decide the legality of abortion during the upcoming election; A recreational marijuana initiative likewise makes it to this November’s ballot, much to the delight of proponents; We talk with a third-party candidate for president who isn’t happy with the difficulty of qualifying to get on the Florida ballot; Florida’s new education commissioner is making sure that charter schools in one county are getting their share of funding. Even if that share was originally intended for traditional public schools; And while Florida is trying to lure more new manufacturing jobs to the state, some long-time production jobs in a rural North Florida county are disappearing forever.

On tonight’s program: A federal court says Florida’s redrawn North Florida congressional district is okay. But that doesn’t mean the matter is closed; Governor DeSantis signs the bill banning younger teens from accessing social media. And it looks like that’s not a done deal either; Disney and the State of Florida resolve at least one issue in their ongoing battle; Florida acts to ban synthesized meat. That battle is continuing; One of Florida’s U.S. Senators returns from Israel with strong criticism for the Biden administration; The state is helping businesses recruit employees amid an ongoing worker shortage; And some advocacy groups are pushing Florida to rejoin a system that is supposed to ensure no voters cast ballots in more than one state.

On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis signs into law a bill forcing local governments to make sure the unhoused don’t wind up sleeping in public places; Floridians stuck in a health insurance coverage gap are turning to voters for help; A new Florida law pulls the plug on local bodies that deal with ethics violations by government officials; As debate continues about a ban on the social media site TikTok, it seems not everyone – even among young people – is necessarily a big fan; Is synthetic meat a powerful tool in the fight against hunger, or is it a threat to our traditional way of life?; And Certain Florida destinations love tourists EXCEPT for the ones who come during spring break.

On tonight's program: As the judicial system puts the brakes on Florida’s “Stop Woke Act,” Governor DeSantis insists the whole thing was taken out of context; Some institutions, however, including the state’s flagship university, are keeping at least some of the “anti-woke agenda” in place; During recent arguments on abortion before the state supreme court the chief justice has brought up the idea of fetal personhood; Governor DeSantis signs into law a bill to prevent undocumented immigrants from using local IDs to misrepresent their immigration status; State lawmakers kept up their drive to take more and more authority from local governments during the session that just ended; Florida's money managers are making plans to drop China-owned investments; And a proposed state land purchase has some residents of a rural North Florida county upset.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s 2024 Lawmaking Session comes to an end with the hope one result would be an increase in much needed health care personnel; This year’s session enacted a few serious reforms in such arenas as the Baker Act; Despite some protests, civilian run police oversight boards have been defanged by the Florida Legislature; At least one bill that got passed went through so many changes that everyone wound up liking it; Hemp stores around Florida may lose business under new legislation; Stores that sell vaping products could also be hard hit if the governor signs an anti-vaping bill; And last year, Governor DeSantis had all the clout when it came to getting things done in the Legislature. THIS year, a veteran Capital Reporter opines the power player was probably Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

On tonight's program: Florida public schools will get a break when it comes to certain regulations as a result of several bills now headed to the governor's desk; More reliable funding for epilepsy services are now included in the new state budget; The Florida Legislature has passed a measure setting up designated mental health care teaching hospitals to help meet a troubling service provider shortage; The Florida Senate has declined to confirm Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Deschovitz to the Florida Ethics Commission; And be polite to first responders or else! The Florida Legislature passes a bill that makes mouthing off to those folks a felony.

On tonight’s program: After much debate – and even a gubernatorial veto – Florida lawmakers have a modified version of a bill to restrict kids under the age of 14 from access to online social media platforms; Controversy continues over a measure that prohibits sleeping or camping on public property, except in special areas designated by and paid for municipalities; The Florida Board of Education would likely be tasked with developing an anti-communism curriculum for public school students from kindergarten to senior high school; And revenue from the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida would help pay for environmental improvement projects under a bill now headed to the governor.

On tonight’s program: The Florida House and Senate have agreed on a single budget document worth around $117.5 billion, meaning lawmakers will be able to adjourn the 2024 Session on time Friday; Daylight remains between House and Senate on a bill to pre-empt local government authority to mandate water breaks for contract employees during hot weather; The Senate was expected today to approve a bill to ban sleeping in public places and require local governments to provide secure spaces with various amenities for unhoused people; And the initial legal showdown between Florida State University and the Atlantic Coast Conference is now on the calendar.

On tonight’s program: After Gov. DeSantis vetoed the most recent version of a bill restricting the access of younger teens to social media sites, lawmakers have come up with a compromise they hope will pass gubernatorial muster; The Florida House has passed a bill that bans undocumented immigrants from obtaining any type of official state identification card; And unanimously, the Florida Legislature has approved restitution for the surviving victims of the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.

On tonight's program: Governor DeSantis vetoes the controversial bill that would have restricted social media access for kids; What to do about unhoused people? The question has been inflaming passions on all sides in the Florida Capitol; There are more attempts by state lawmakers to take control over what have been local government decisions; We have an expanded story on how the suspension of local heat protections for workers might have serious consequences; A veteran capital reporter gives his take on this year’s legislative session; And the Florida House has passed a compensation bill for victims of the former Dozier School for Boys.

On tonight’s program: Lawmakers continue their closed door talks to finalize a controversial bill limiting social media access for young people; Both sides of the Florida Capitol are behind legislation banning outdoor camping or sleeping by the unhoused, EXCEPT in special areas provided and serviced by municipal governments; A new program would help Florida’s high school dropouts secure a subsidized college education; And the Florida House passes a compensation bill for those who suffered abuse at Marianna’s Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.

On tonight’s program: It now appears Florida is unlikely to adopt any measure similar to Alabama’s, which counts embryos as “children”; Florida public schools would have less regulation under terms of several bills that now have bipartisan support; Civilian police review boards are still on the legislative chopping block; Even though there may not be enough time to enact new restrictions impacting LGBTQ people in Florida, opponents still held a protest outside the Capitol; And political ads involving artificial intelligence would have to disclose that fact under a bill that’s cleared the House.

On tonight’s program: Lawmakers spent much of today awaiting an expected veto by Governor DeSantis of the bill limiting youthful access to online social media platforms; A measure upping penalties for minors convicted of gun-related crimes has cleared the House and now heads to a full Senate vote; It may take a while to reconcile the House and Senate versions, but both chambers are at least philosophically agreed to limiting Florida county commissioner terms to no more than 8 years; And the Florida House is about to act on a measure increasing educational and job opportunities for the state’s military veterans.

On tonight’s program: It appears a bill conferring full legal personhood on fetuses will not pass this legislative session; Parental choice may be blended into a bill allowing older teens to work more hours than current law allows; Not everyone is enamored with the idea of religious chaplains filling the role of trained mental health counselors in Florida schools; The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today about laws in Florida and Texas that ban social media platforms from censoring adult speech; And Governor DeSantis is adding millions of dollars into a fund that helps hurricane victims.

On tonight’s program: Budget talks between the Florida House and Senate are expected to start on Monday; Governor DeSantis dispatches another batch of Florida military and law enforcement personnel to the U.S. border with Mexico; Despite fits, starts and possible legal pitfalls, social media restrictions for younger kids is headed to Governor DeSantis’s desk; After some tweaks in the Florida Senate, a bill allowing property owners to shoot bears that trespass and pose a threat is heading back to the House; While some lawmakers argue Florida should stop offering services that might attract undocumented immigrants to the state, other say the state should welcome them with open arms; It may be 3 months until the official start of the 2024 hurricane season, but the Accuweather folks are already predicting it’ll be a doozy; Left lane lingering on certain higher-speed roads will become illegal in Florida if a bill headed to Governor DeSantis becomes law; Even though college enrollment is very commonplace today, there are still instances where an individual is the first in their family to seek a higher education; And some University of South Florida students are laboring in the political trenches in advance of this Saturday’s South Carolina Primary Election.

On tonight’s program: The Florida Senate approves social media restrictions for kids under the age of 16; Florida’s Live Healthy plan, a top priority for Senate President Passidomo, is headed for Governor DeSantis’s desk; The Florida House is set to take up a bill banning local governments from enacting any ordinances impacting contractor pay or working conditions; And the full Florida Senate is expected to pass a bill creating a new legal holiday in commemoration of the Tuskegee Airmen.

On tonight’s program: A proposal, now ready to go to the full House, would add “unborn child” to a law that allows family members to seek damages when a person's death is caused by such things as wrongful acts or negligence; An effort to make it easier to sue journalists and bloggers for defamation is now heading to the House floor; The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted to approve a bill that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other types of long guns from 21 to 18; A controversial proposal to bring back primary election runoffs has been temporarily postponed just days after being filed; And Florida A&M University officials are pushing their funding priorities for the new school year.

On tonight’s program: Florida students from kindergarten through 12th grade would be required to learn the dangers of communism under legislation that’s rapidly advancing through the state Senate; Proposed restrictions on social media access for kids under the age of 16 are still being tweaked in the Legislature, while young opponents protest; Those who suffered abuse in now-closed Florida reform schools could receive reparations if a bill now moving through the Legislature passes and becomes law; Democrats and activists are opposing a bill that would change the way renewable energy is used in Florida; And those who coach athletics in Florida schools may soon face a requirement they learn CPR.

On tonight’s program: There’s a lot of gambling money coming into state coffers from the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe and a lot of it is going to environmental projects; Governor DeSantis doesn’t seem to have quite as much clout in the legislature this year and Democratic lawmakers seem quick to point that out; And Florida’s population growth is reducing the ability of the state’s underground aquifer to resist salt water intrusion. A prominent naturalist is documenting the catastrophic impact on coastal freshwater wetlands.

On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis pushes back on the notion that he is responsible for public school book bans; While some lawmakers think teaching kids about the dangers of communism will promote American values, others aren’t so sure; State lawmakers struggle to make proposed restrictions on young people accessing social media immune from legal challenge; Officials estimate the number of people who need mental healthcare in Florida is in the millions; Food insecurity remains a big problem in Florida. Lawmakers are trying to make things better; A proposed breeding facility for monkeys used in research just north of the Florida line is attracting international attention and widespread condemnation; Bills preventing the removal of historical monuments or flying non-government flags from government property appear dead in the Florida Senate; And if you think those movie scenes showing a Florida location were actually filmed IN Florida, you’re probably wrong.

On tonight’s program: Florida has a doctor shortage and a legislative measure to help address that issue is fast-tracking its way through the process; Any local government entity in Florida that provides utility services could find itself limited in how much of the resulting revenue could be shifted to general revenue under a bill that’s still moving forward in the Legislature; Verbal abuse of law officers and other first responders would mean criminal penalties under a bill now under consideration in Tallahassee; And the sound of an acorn hitting a police cruiser sounded so much like gunfire that two Okaloosa County sheriffs deputies opened fire on a suspect already in custody.

On tonight’s program: After the Parkland shooting 6 years ago, the Florida Legislature tightened several of its gun laws. Now it appears those restrictions are likely to be loosened; Many of Florida’s elected officials already face 8-year term limits and the Legislature is moving to add county commissioners to that list; And Governor DeSantis and wife Casey are championing more efforts to fight cancer.

On tonight's program: Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Coral Gables today to announce his legislative intentions to increase penalties for retail thieves and porch pirates; A measure up for consideration in the Legislature would ban civilian oversight boards for law enforcement and corrections officers; The Florida Commission on Ethics would see big changes under a bill that’s moving through the Legislature; And the longtime head of the NRA is no longer Wayne LaPierre. Many are crediting the students who survived the Parkland High School massacre for that fact.

On tonight’s program: Not only are there disagreements between the Florida House and Senate over their respective versions of the state budget, but Republicans and Democrats are far apart over the spending plans as well; Outrage flared last week over a proposed bill to protect Confederate monuments in Florida; A measure to ban “political flags” on government property has hit a roadblock in the Florida Legislature; And what’s called “cultured meat” has become a divisive issue in Tallahassee.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s Supreme Court Justices are weighing ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access; There’s a hospital access crisis in Florida’s rural counties. Lawmakers are trying to do something about that; The Florida Legislature takes up a frontal attack on wokeness in teacher training programs, although not every member thinks that’s even necessary; We get a halfway point update on the progress of this year’s lawmaking session thus far; Lawmakers look to crack down on squatters who won’t leave someone else’s home; And the official numbers are out and Florida is definitely heating up along with the rest of the planet.

On tonight’s program: Still more restrictions on what local governments can and can’t do are moving ahead in the Florida Legislature; State government would have access to the names of all public employee union members under a bill that seems destined to clear the Legislature; The Florida Legislature seems determined to put the brakes on street racing; And “slower traffic keep right” would no longer be a suggestion under a measure that’s speeding through both the Florida House and Senate.

On tonight’s program: Oral arguments get underway in the Florida Supreme Court regarding a proposed constitutional amendment’s language guaranteeing the right to an abortion; Two Democrats in the Florida Legislature are trying to convince their mostly Republican colleagues the right to contraception needs to be enshrined in Florida law; One measure being debated at the Capitol makes it a crime to harass poll workers; And Governor DeSantis is hoping the Florida Senate will confirm his choice to head up the Florida State Guard.

On tonight’s program: The Florida Supreme Court is set to review the ballot language of the constitutional amendment proposal guaranteeing access to abortion in Florida; A prominent conservative group is opposing proposed legislation to loosen Florida’s defamation laws; The tweaking continues in the Florida Senate on a bill restricting social media access for youngsters under the age of 16; And if you’re in the mood for some Netflix binging, the subscription could be costing you more soon.

On tonight’s program: With a bit of help from state government, Governor DeSantis is hoping local jurisdictions in the state will be better able to deal with the unhoused; The Florida Senate now joins the House in advancing a measure to restrict young people from getting onto social media sites, although some legal problems may still remain; Many Florida lawmakers expected Governor DeSantis to be more attuned to Florida-specific matters after returning to Tallahassee from his failed presidential run, but the gov’s critics say that hasn’t happened; And one of Tallahassee’s best-known political operatives crafts humorous science fiction tales in his spare time.

On tonight’s program: Lawmakers consider a bill that could lead to property taxes being eliminated; Opponents worry proposed changes to Florida’s anti-defamation laws could have some unintended consequences; Differences persist between the Florida House and Senate’s versions of bills to do away with some work restrictions for 16 and 17 year old kids who are still in school; Florida military and law enforcement personnel are headed for the Texas border with Mexico following a direct order from Governor DeSantis; After Florida’s Senate President announced Medicaid expansion is off the table, a group of advocates is pushing the change through a citizens initiative; The debate continues at the Florida Capitol about whether or not law enforcement officers can claim victim protections under Marsy’s Law; The cost is going down for Florida’s Prepaid College savings program; And Florida has lots of forests. So why doesn’t the state have lots of forest wild fires, like – say – California?

On tonight’s program: Let the horse trading begin! The Florida House and Senate have released their respective versions of a state budget for fiscal year 2024/25; Governor DeSantis is sending the newly re-activated Florida State Guard to Texas to help secure the border. The move surprised both the governor’s critics and his supporters; And Florida State University had its big day at the Capitol today, but the mood was tempered by the death on longtime Seminole baseball coach Mike Martin.

On tonight’s program: Let the horse trading begin! The Florida House and Senate have released their respective versions of a state budget for fiscal year 2024/25; Governor DeSantis is sending the newly re-activated Florida State Guard to Texas to help secure the border. The move surprised both the governor’s critics and his supporters; And Florida State University had its big day at the Capitol today, but the mood was tempered by the death on longtime Seminole baseball coach Mike Martin.

On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers approved a measure expanding the state’s affordable housing stock last year, but that historic measure is now getting a few tweaks; The Florida House is working to reverse the major provisions of the gun control measures passed in the wake of the Parkland shooting tragedy, but it seems the state Senate has little inclination to do the same; Gun owners would have to exercise more care when it comes to keeping their rounds from impacting neighboring property under a bill now being debated in the Florida Legislature; And Florida’s ports are seeing big boosts in both cargo and passenger business.

On tonight’s program: Parents would be able to sue in the case of a pregnancy ended through negligence under a bill now being debated in Tallahassee. Opponents fear the measure could be used as a weapon against anyone helping a pregnant woman receive an abortion; The battle continues at the Capitol over loosening Florida’s child labor laws. The Senate’s latest version of the bill differs little from the laws already in place; And raising the voter threshold to pass a Florida constitutional amendment from the present 60% to 66.67% is drawing fire from those who say if further limits the ability of the people to make changes when lawmakers refuse to do so.

On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers are ready to include more teacher pay increases in their state budget plan. But it seems that may not be enough to defuse tensions among teachers who say it’s too little too late; Governor DeSantis and the legislative leader are getting behind four proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution; Governor DeSantis is appealing a recent federal court decision that favored Andrew Warren, the Hillsborough County state attorney the governor suspended last year; Ai generated political messages and some other uses of that technology would require full public disclosure if Florida lawmakers get their way; Proposed restrictions on social media access for young people have Governor DeSantis concerned about possible legal problems with that legislation; And several Florida elected officials were meeting with the families of gun violence victims last week as part of National Gun Violence Survivors Week.

On tonight’s program: Lawmakers are moving toward a ban on citizen police review boards; We talk with an expert on the impacts of unrestricted social media access on kids and younger teens; Pro-Palestinian student groups at two Florida universities continue to draw the ire of state officials who want to see the organizations disbanded; Florida lawmakers are subject to term limits and many of them support the same thing for local elected officials. But not all of those folks are fans of the idea; An inconclusive environmental study ordered by Florida lawmakers leads at least one advocacy group to suspect there may be something going on behind the scenes; And community and government organizations are joining forces to care for newborns whose mothers can’t.

On tonight’s program: Kids under the age of 16 would be banned from social media sites under legislation now picking up speed in the Florida Legislature; State lawmakers are looking at giving the governor the authority to order the Florida State Guard to cross state lines to help with disasters and other serious situations; The practice of “swatting,” or making bogus calls to law enforcement to report serious, violent crimes has now prompted a federal response; It would be a lot easier for storage unit firms to clear out and liquidate abandoned property under a bill now being considered in Florida; And today was Jimmy Buffet Day at the Florida Capitol.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s school voucher program got off to a shaky start as this school year got underway. Now the Florida House is suggesting some improvements; With home insurance rates still soaring, the state’s legislative Democrats are calling on their G.O.P. colleagues and Governor DeSantis to concentrate more on affordable housing; And talking smack to a police officer or other first responding could land you in jail under provisions of a bill now working its way through the Florida Legislature.

On tonight’s program: Democrats are speculating openly while Republicans are whispering privately: what will happen now that Governor DeSantis is back in Tallahassee to stay after his unsuccessful presidential bid?; Crime victims hold a Capitol rally and demand more be done to prevent crime and help its victims; State identification and insurance coverage requirements are the latest measures being considered by Florida lawmakers to impact the state’s transgender residents; No historical monuments – including those celebrating Confederate figures or the Confederate cause – could be removed under a bill moving through the Legislature; And the famed Tuskegee Airman would be honored under a bill that cleared an important committee today.

On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis suspended his presidential bid over the weekend. The head of Florida’s Democratic Party approves, but is also concerned about what kind of mood the governor may be in when he returns to Tallahassee; Florida abortion access advocates are marking the anniversary of the Roe V. Wade decision, even though another U.S. Supreme Court decision a year-and-a-half ago nullified Roe; Florida lawmakers are considering restrictions on local governments’ ability to raise their tax rates; Juveniles caught with illegal firearms could face felony charges if a bill moving through the Florida House becomes law; And bears are having more interactions with people in Florida and the Legislature is considering a bill to allow people to kill bears that stray onto their property.

On tonight's program: Florida lawmakers are looking at more restrictions on local governments and some of those local officials are more than a little concerned; Would more kids make it to school more consistently – and parents be happier – if school was year-round? Florida’s unemployment rate edged up in December; Florida’s ACLU chapter is heading to court to try and counter a number of bills the organization considers counter to the public interest; Just in case Ron DeSantis doesn’t win the presidency this year, might he get another shot in four years? We’ll check in with NBC’s senior political reporter for an answer; Why was Florida colored orange on national weather maps over the weekend while most of the rest of the country was purple? And we look at the fight between Florida State University and the athletic conference it’s trying to escape.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s young people may have some roadblocks to social media sites if a bill under consideration in the House achieves final passage; A bill to encourage more healthcare professionals in Florida is moving ahead in the Senate; Florida has turned down a federal offer of funding to provide more summer meals for kids. The Biden administration is trying to change that decision; We get an update on a bill to restrict all but certain flags to be raised on flagpoles that sit on government property; And Florida’s Arbor Day is Friday, January 19. The state’s 200 garden clubs will be out in force to promote more tree planting.

On tonight’s program: The Florida Senate starts looking at a constitutional amendment proposal that would halt public financing for statewide office campaigns; Flags other than U.S. and state flags would be banned from government building and school flagpoles under a bill being considered in the Florida House; Last week’s tornadoes hit Jackson County hard and one businessman there is still assessing damage to his property; And the move is on to dethrone the mockingbird as Florida’s official state bird.

On tonight’s program: After a razor-thin second place finish in the Iowa causes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hits the campaign trail for New Hampshire and South Carolina; Pregnancy care inflames partisan passions in the Florida Capitol; Term limits for Florida’s county commissioners is moving ahead in this year’s legislature, but it seems the matter may not be the slam-dunk its proponents imagined; And new safeguards for students on the autism spectrum are under consideration by Florida lawmakers.

On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis faces a day of decision in Iowa, and the future seems uncertain; A suspected human trafficking ring in Tallahassee is under arrest as the state marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Month; We hear about some new bills impacting members of the LGBTQ community in Florida; Some state lawmakers want to impose more limits on what local governments can do when it comes to the firms they hire as contractors; A celebrated author of a new book on Florida wildlife would like to see state lawmakers take a more organized approach to protecting fragile natural eco-systems; And we revisit the stormy start to the legislative season this past Tuesday when tornadoes touched down across the Florida Panhandle.

On tonight’s program: Both the Florida House and Senate would like to give traditional public schools a break from some of the state regulations imposed over the past 20 years. But so far they haven’t agreed on how big a break that should be; Young people would have less unrestricted access to social media under a bill now kicking around the Legislature; Differences between the House and Senate on partial loosening of teen work restrictions are still in the “working out” stage; And LGBTQ+ advocates are upset over what they see as yet more discriminatory legislation coming out of the Florida Capitol.

On tonight’s program: Both legislative chambers are getting closer to working out their differences in bills that would remove some of the current restrictions involving child labor in Florida; A rise in dangerous human-bear interactions in parts of North Florida have some residents and law enforcers calling for increased use of lethal force, but many conservationists argue that’s taking things too far; A prominent state senator is proposing new restrictions on vote-by-mail, but that idea isn’t gaining traction with Senate President Passidomo; And youth programs, such as Ladies Learning to Lead, are hoping lawmakers will meet their funding requests this session.

On tonight’s program: The 2024 Florida Lawmaking Session gets underway with the Capital City and surrounding North Florida counties under a tornado warning; Governor DeSantis’s State of the State speech is mostly a recap of accomplishments from last year; Democratic lawmakers pan the speech during their formal responses to the State of the State address; And the Florida Legislature’s Republican leadership presents a united front as the session begins.

On tonight’s program: How will Governor DeSantis’s presidential aspirations affect his influence over Florida lawmakers during the upcoming session?; Florida doesn’t have enough doctors and this session, the state’s Senate President wants to do something about it; Could fewer regulations and requirements make Florida’s traditional public schools more responsive to students’ specific needs?; Florida lawmakers will soon consider limiting what young people can and can’t access on social media; More Florida teens would be allowed to work under a bill being teed up for the 2024 session; And a growing number of local officials are leaving office because of new financial disclosure requirements.

On tonight’s program: A massive expansion of education vouchers gives Florida kids even more choices when it comes to their education; Florida abortion law doesn’t allow an exception when the life of the pregnant person is in danger for mental health reasons. That’s especially concerning considering that many pregnant people struggle to access mental health care; Florida leaders recommended avoiding the new COVID booster shot approved in September -- against federal guidance; Florida passed a law allowing citizens to carry firearms without advance permitting during 2023. But at least one of the state’s sheriffs had serious reservations; An industrial closing leaves hundreds of people in uncertainly; And a few issues actually found sweeping bipartisan support in 2023. Like making both infant and adult diapers exempt from state sales taxes.

On tonight’s program: With the countdown clock ticking towards Florida’s 2024 lawmaking session, the leaders of the House and Senate are making the rounds pitching their priorities; There’s a big chunk of money Florida could tap to fight childhood hunger. IF state officials hurry up and apply for it; Youthful gun violence is a multi-generational tragedy; A statewide plan to do away with local civilian police oversight boards has begun drawing some pushback; Firefighters across Florida are keeping a close eye on negotiations between the City of Tallahassee and the union representing the city’s firefighters. Among the issues, coverage against the cancer hazards of the profession; Florida’s move over law isn’t just a good idea, it’s also a lifesaver; And Internet cafes are illegal in Florida. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t still around.

On tonight’s program: As Florida sheds many thousands of people from its Medicaid rolls, there are those who suggest the result hasn’t been pretty; We hear how one Florida community is handling the explosion in youthful gun violence; A Central Florida school is using international teachers to handle the state’s shortage of educators; What happens when a politician teaches a political science class? The mocking bird is the state bird of Florida. But it’s also the bird for four other states and not everyone is happy about that; And lessons on how to avoid making outrageous electric bills a part of the holiday festivities.

On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis rolls out a state budget that’s smaller than this year’s!; Florida’s House Speaker looks ahead to the upcoming lawmaking session; The pressure is building for the wife of Florida’s Republican Party chair to step down from her school board job; Academic freedom is becoming a flashpoint on Florida’s public campuses; It seems a contract dispute between Tallahassee firefighters and the city that employs could have impacts far beyond the Capital City limits; And the spat between Florida State University’s football program and the college football playoff establishment, is bringing some high-powered support from all over the place.

On tonight’s program: Tis’ the season, and there’s some good news for holiday shoppers who are watching their overall spending; Serious misconduct allegations are swirling around Florida’s Republican Party Chair and his wife who sits on the Sarasota County School Board; The controversy over transgender student athletes roils a school in Fort Lauderdale; A Holocaust survivor recalls his family’s narrow escape from what would likely have been their doom; We’ll visit a gallery devoted to Florida’s natural habitats and wildlife; And speaking of wildlife, have you checked out the monkeys in Gainesville?

On tonight’s program: Mobile homes are among the last affordable housing options in Florida. IF you don’t get evicted; It’s no surprise that property insurance rates are going up for many Florida homeowners. But it seems that isn’t the only problem, even for those who have policies with the so-called “insurer of last resort”; New state government restrictions on the collection of teachers’ union dues is having a significant impact on the state’s largest teachers’ union and its membership; Music fans have their “Lollapalooza.” So why shouldn’t the retail ravenous have their own “Shopapalooza?”; Holiday shoppers beware! Not all bargain buys are for real and we have some helpful hints to help you avoid getting scammed; And the State of Florida inducts its latest members of the Veterans Hall of Fame.

On tonight’s program: In the wake of Veterans Day, a proposed bill to provide more care and comfort for vets in nursing home facilities; A plan to expand Florida’s Telehealth program may be just what the doctor ordered for many expectant moms; There’s yet another remarkable twist in a Florida murder case that was already a hot mess to begin with; As frightening as a new novel about Florida’s infamous Dozier School for Boys is, even the author says it can’t come close to how horrible the reality was; And Florida’s first syringe exchange program, widely criticized when it began 7 years ago, seems to be working better than anyone expected.

On tonight's program: A special lawmaking session expands Florida’s school voucher program, although there are still unanswered questions; Vouchers weren’t the only items up for debate during this week’s special session at the Florida Capitol; Lawmakers also extended more help to Hurricane Idalia victims and banned state investment in countries like Iran; A university-level sociology course containing references to sexuality, gender identity, race and ethnicity appears to be on the chopping block in Florida; Republican presidential hopefuls had another debate this week. Although some were wondering why; It seems art and culture is a bigger business in Florida than most people realize; Even though state government keeps pre-empting more and more local authority, communities like Punta Gorda are still trying to regulate such things as short term rental properties; And there’s a move afoot to expand the honors accorded Florida’s military veterans.

On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee next week: on their to-do list: more sanctions for Iran; How do Americans feel about the latest Israel-Hamas war?; A recent survey says, it’s complicated…; And an advocacy group for undocumented young people gets a new leader; It was a record nesting season for one of Florida’s favorite creatures: the sea turtle; But it was a dangerous time for pedestrians in the state; And fighting fetal and infant mortality requires having a better understanding of the communities that are impacted.

On tonight's program: Despite the legislature’s past efforts, property insurance rates in Florida are not dropping. Now lawmakers are planning to give it another go in a special session and maybe beyond; There’s a bit of good news about the state of Northwest Florida’s world-famous oyster beds; The controversy over what books can and can’t be included in public school libraries rages on; Florida approves new public school learning materials from a source that seems to have a very specific religious viewpoint; New state rules also seem to be putting a crimp on what can and can’t be said on public college and university campuses in Florida; And we hear the story of "Surf Skate Science" — and what some see as an educational renaissance in Florida.

On tonight’s program: Some Florida leaders worry the death struggle between Israel and Hamas may boil over into the United States; Data shows efforts to curb Florida’s looming nursing shortage may be working; Charges are dropped against a Florida woman who’d been accused of voter fraud; We take a look at some new developments in the fight to control the spread of harmful algae in Florida’s lakes and streams; And ss cooler weather FINALLY moves into Florida, we’ll take a look back at a VERY steamy summer.

On tonight’s program: The war between Israel and Hamas sends shock waves around the world, including Florida; After years of official foot-dragging, Florida will once again put out information on COVID cases in the Sunshine State; The arrest of an elderly woman on charges of voter fraud has shone a spotlight on the uncertainties contained within the law she’s accused of breaking; What books can and can’t be accessed by students in public school libraries? The ongoing debate may be prompting some Florida school districts to overreact; And five years after the Florida Panhandle was devastated by a hurricane called Michael, recovery efforts continue.

Domestic violence shelters are overflowing forcing some people to stay with their abusers; Inflation and a population boom are leading to a volatile housing market and a rising number of people experiencing homelessness; After growing up without knowing much about his parents a historic cemetery helps one person reconnect with his roots; In Florida hiring has been hot, but in some cases qualified workers can be hard to come by; The spacecoast is on pace for a record number of launches this year—partly due to Starlink Satellites; And Florida high school athletes may soon be able to earn money from their name image or likeness.

On tonight’s program: As a federal government shutdown looms, some local service agencies are readying for the worst; A long list of new laws take effect in Florida Oct. 1; Fans who like to run out onto the field of play at sporting events may want to rethink that behavior as a new Florida law takes effect; The aftermath of Hurricane Ian persists, especially its physical and emotional impact; Of course, the storm also caused terrific devastation to the places where people live; And we pay tribute to a couple of Floridians – one famous and another relatively unknown – whose work impacted politics in the state.

On tonight's program: A new Florida law aims to make more fathers more responsible for their families; The guy who’ll become Florida House Speaker late next year is a firm believer in the small government model; A devastating one-two punch for rural Taylor County in the Florida Panhandle. First a hurricane, and now the paper mill that is the county’s largest single employer is closing; America’s Medicare program can now negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies. And that’s not all; Online sports betting is expected to be a multi-billion dollar business in Florida IF the activity is ultimately approved by policymakers; A new scientific tool will help analysts and forecasters get a better handle on future hurricanes; And we remember the groundbreaking journalist who, for many years covered the Florida Capitol, striking fear into the hearts of those she covered while also winning their unabashed respect.

On tonight’s program: Abortion access advocates and opponents share their thoughts as the state supreme court considers whether Florida’s 15-week ban violates the state constitution; Florida leaders recommend avoiding the new COVID booster shot -- against federal guidance; Call it the “forbidden fruit syndrome.” Ban books and a secret book club will spring up so more people can read them; When the state’s policy on teaching history is more than a bit murky, how are public school teachers responding to the possible pitfalls?; Proposed federal legislation may be great for farmers, but not so great for the low-income families that depend on their produce; As inflation eases, will the Federal Reserve back off on interest rate hikes? A big wig at the fed says, “Don’t get your hopes up.”

On tonight’s program: Dueling demonstrations take place outside the Florida Supreme Court as the justices begin considering the state’s new abortion law; When underage drinking results in a death, is the responsible party the young drinker or the bar that illegally served them?; Governor DeSantis’s visit to Jacksonville this week following a fatal shooting did not exactly go as planned; Florida’s Madison County isn’t considered coastal. But that doesn’t mean it’s immune from hurricane damage. Luckily, a lot of people are helping get things back to normal; Hurricane Idalia recovery continues as the small businesses in Steinhatchee struggle to get back up and running; A potential threat to North Florida’s vast underground springs has some residents pushing for the state to take over more of the land that sits atop those springs; And officials in Key West are considering naming the city’s airport after the late Jimmy Buffett and we explore the historic connection between Buffet and former Florida Governor Bob Graham.

On tonight's program: Recovery is a long way off for places like Perry, that were hit hard by Idaliah, but residents remain hopeful they can get through it—together; For some parts of North Florida like Wakulla County, Idalia was a case of a dodged bullet; For coastal areas like Clearwater Beach, storm surge was Idalia’s calling card, even though the center of the storm was far away; When hurricanes strike, the filing of a property insurance claim often follows shortly thereafter; A historic tree on the grounds of the Florida Governor’s Mansion was a casualty of the hurricane; And how might Governor DeSantis’s response to this week’s hurricane impact his political aspirations?

On tonight’s program: Voting rights advocates say they’re feeling cautiously hopeful after a court hearing on Florida’s congressional district maps. Opponents say the current maps violate the state constitution; Advocates want the state to take a break on removing people from its Medicaid rolls as thousands of recipients are losing health coverage because of confusion, not because they don’t qualify; New rules are now in place for how parents can challenge books in classrooms and school libraries; After lawmakers passed a slate of laws this session that target the LGBTQ+ community, some families are leaving the state; Florida’s new immigration law is putting added stress on students with undocumented family members; Officials say Florida hurricanes are getting wetter and are leading to greater concerns about the impact mold exposure can have on health; And Florida’s controlled burn program helps prevent wildfires like the deadly fire that devastated Hawaii earlier this month.

On tonight’s program: Florida public schools have staff shortages. But what that number is depends on who you ask; Could a lost Florida congressional district make a reappearance before next year’s election?; College life is stressful. So more schools are putting resources in place to help troubled students cope and succeed; How do you tell the world about the outstanding academics at Florida’s colleges and universities?; Florida’s July unemployment rate is up just slightly from June; And inflation isn’t only for consumer goods. The cost of money is going up, too.

On tonight's program: As the kids head back to Florida’s classrooms, it seems there are a lot fewer teachers to welcome them; Some college and university student groups may have to change their names because of Florida’s new rules against diversity, equity and inclusion; Women are struggling to access healthcare during and after pregnancy; Florida has a new requirement that hospitals check the citizenship status of patients. Supporters say it will reduce the burden on taxpayers for treating undocumented persons; A new hi-tech way to carjack is catching on in Florida; Governor DeSantis suspends another state attorney; And conditions are becoming unbearable inside Florida prisons that lack air conditioning.

On tonight’s program: Florida has always been about real estate. Except now, there’s a restriction on property sales to people from one specific country; Pushback against Florida’s new African-American History guidelines is coming from teachers, some state lawmakers and even from the vice president of the United States; Florida’s campaign against environment, social and governance when it comes to consumer products and investing may not be working out as intended by state policy makers; Super-heated sea water is bleaching the coral formations offshore of the Florida Keys; A proposed gas station atop Wakulla County’s delicate underground spring system is drawing fierce opposition; Most folks think of algae blooms as a bad thing. But it appears they may also be very useful in certain situations; And we get a preview of a new book about the Sunshine State.

On tonight's program: You may have heard about a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion access, but there’s also a proposal that would ban abortion in most cases; Pushback regarding Florida’s new African American History standards hits a new crescendo; Faced with dwindling numbers, Florida Democrats are stepping up their efforts to stay politically relevant; It seems not every energy source claiming to be sustainable truly is; New immigration laws in Florida are persuading a growing number of immigrants to leave the state; And three-quarters of a century ago, the United States did away with segregation in the nation’s armed forces and civilian federal workforce.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s new immigration law is being considered in federal court; Anti-discrimination advocates are pushing back against a new state law that bans many Chinese people from buying property in Florida...; A Florida researcher talks about what she found when she looked into the impact of fossil fuel energy companies on Florida utility policy; Soaring temperatures are proving deadly to children left in parked cars; We have an update on how new Florida laws are impacting the state’s convention and meeting trade; A Sarasota attorney is the newly-elected president of the Florida Bar; And we go angling for a fish that hasn’t exactly been the most popular among those who fish for sport.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s property insurance market gets even more turbulent; But there may be a glimmer of light in the darkness of the property insurance tunnel; The regional Federal Reserve president talks interest rates and inflation in Florida; Nearly half a billion dollars for broadband expansion has been awarded across Florida this year, and more federal funding is on its way; More than 100 Floridians recently walked across the stage at Camp Blanding, signifying their completion of the state’s newly revived State Guard boot camp; And maternal mortality is rising—especially for minority groups.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s new LGBTQ+ laws have some people questioning their own existence; Restrictions on public school discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity remains a deeply divisive issue in Florida; Some Florida university faculty say the state’s new restrictions on so-called “wokeness” are causing them to look elsewhere for employment; New Florida laws are convincing some convention and meeting clients to take their business to other states; A growing number of prescription medications are becoming tougher – if not impossible – to obtain; How can caregivers of those with dementia help them make it through disasters like hurricanes?; After one positive test, state wildlife officials say they’re working to understand the spread of chronic wasting disease, an illness that attacks deer; New regulations intended to protect endangered whales may be doing more harm than good; Pit bull owners will have reason to celebrate this fall when a new state law puts an end to all local breed restrictions...

On tonight’s program: Florida educators say new legislation is driving them out of the school system; Florida teachers unions are also under siege as the result of newly-passed legislation; Abortion access advocates say they remain hopeful as they work to gather enough petitions to put the right to abortion on the ballot; As an anti-immigration law goes into effect, opponents march on Florida’s capitol; Wonder of wonders, medical marijuana issues attract bi-partisan support in the Florida Legislature; And we listen in as two kindred spirits discuss gender and identity.

On tonight’s program: Advocates of transgender rights are celebrating a federal court ruling that struck down a state ban on Medicaid coverage of gender affirming care; A year after the Dobbs decision, bitterness still lingers; Civil rights advocates tour the state in an effort to raise awareness of recent policies they say are harmful...; What advocates say are legislative attacks on racial justice and equity have moved an upcoming statewide conference on those topics to Tallahassee; After years of shedding customers, Florida’s insurer of last resort is growing again, much to the distress of those who’ve been trying to get more policyholders back into the commercial insurance market; We visit a center that helps counsel immigrants amidst the new changes in state law; And Florida’s new State Guard is getting a home to call its own.

On tonight's program: DeSantis signed the budget Thursday. He says it includes money to push environmental cleanup projects forward; A recent U-S Supreme Court decision striking down Alabama's racially-gerrymandered congressional map might not directly affect challenges to Florida's map, but it's still considered a win for voting rights advocates; And Duane Owen died for his crimes Thursday night -- nearly four decades after he committed them. One of his victims' sisters says that's unacceptable.

On tonight’s program: After a federal judge blocked Florida’s bans on gender affirming care for kids some are questioning what drove those rules in the first place; A potential conflict of interest muddies the waters on the Florida Supreme Court’s consideration of abortion restriction; As school book restrictions multiply, some schools and teachers in Florida are backing the “freedom to read”; Hate groups are on the rise in Florida; Florida is adopting a more interconnected approach to fighting human trafficking; Florida’s rural counties may be seeing more infrastructure, thanks to state lawmaker; A former Democratic presidential hopeful is launching a third political party with a different kind of focus; Florida’s foster care laws and regulations can be confusing. But help is on the way; And we cut through the confusion when it comes to weather advisories from one of the best in the business.

On tonight's program: Florida’s restrictive new immigration statutes are causing distress, even among some immigrants with full legal status; A push to enshrine abortion rights in Florida’s constitution is underway. But even supporters admit it won’t be easy; Florida’s first openly gay state senator says this year’s Pride Month observance is particularly important; Some members of the LGBTQ+ community are taking self-defense courses in the wake of state laws they fear will make them even more of a target for violence; Florida A&M University is waging a legal battle against what it says is unfair treatment by the State of Florida; The good news, forecasters say there may be fewer hurricanes this year than the recent past. The bad news, it may not matter if even one big storm hits Florida; As another hurricane season gets underway, one part of Florida is still recovering from last year. And residents there are growing weary; And two sea animals rescued after being affected by red tide off Florida's west coast are now back in the Gulf.

On tonight’s program: As Florida heads into Summer several civil rights groups are urging some tourists to beware of the Sunshine State…;Florida Environmentalists are blasting a new law they say will further exacerbate sprawl. But supporters say its meant to curb frivolous lawsuits against local governments; Governor Ron DeSantis hopes to return to Washington D.C…. as president; As the state cracks down on gender-affirming care for minors some adults say they’re now having problems accessing their treatments; Florida’s doubling down on parental rights but what about those who want kids to be free to read what they want?; And the Memorial Day weekend is upon us featuring the nation’s oldest music festival.

On tonight's program: The battle over what can and can’t be taught in Florida’s institutions of higher learning rages on; The argument in favor of many measures targeting the LGBTQ+ community is that they’re intended to protect kids, but, limitations for adults frequently follow close behind; Measures to reduce human trafficking of all kinds in Florida are now officially on the books; New immigration laws in Florida spark objections, but to little avail; An influx of students from other lands is boosting enrollments in Florida’s largest school district; And wonder of wonders! The Florida Legislature passes and the Governor approves a bill that nearly everyone liked.

On tonight’s program: Under fire from Florida’s governor, a North Florida school superintendent is getting support from lots of folks in his district; Conscientious objection to certain treatments or care by health professionals is now enshrined in Florida law; A new military unit under the control of the Florida governor is raising some eyebrows as well as concerns. Although supporters say it’s needed; The head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce isn’t worried about any possible chilling effect on business recruitment because of the governor’s fight with a corporation called Disney. Even when help is available to make housing more affordable, it seems some folks have trouble using it; A famous Florida coastal community struggles to protect itself from the next devastating hurricane; And a longtime assumption that opinions about climate change are political may be changing.

On tonight’s program: The 2023 Florida Lawmaking Session is over. Lawmakers dropped the ceremonial hanky considerable earlier than usual; Florida lawmakers send two bills to the governor targeting Disney; Two of our pre-eminent capital reporters give their take on the session just past; Open government supporters have real concerns following this year’s lawmaking session; The federal trial of Andrew Gillum ends with exoneration on one account and a hung jury on the others; And there were plenty of protests during this session. But perhaps, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

On tonight’s program: The trial of Andrew Gillum and his business associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks is over. At least for now; Lawmakers say “nay” when it comes to gender-affirming care for kids; State government in Florida takes over even more duties from local governments; A measure cracking down on third-party drug prescription oversight firms is signed by the governor; And stricter measures against human trafficking clear the legislature.

On tonight’s program: Florida parents could have even more of a say over what’s in public school libraries as part of a expanded parental rights bill; Higher education programs are also under scrutiny from those who accuse the institutions of systemic “wokeness”; While supporters say a bill that protects conscientious objections for medical services bars discrimination, others warn that will be the result; Lawmakers pass a bill restricting how hemp products can be marketed in Florida; Florida governors would be able to fly – literally under the Sunshine Law radar – because of a bill now flying to the governor’s desk; And opponents fear a bill allowing coastal redevelopment could be a death knell for Miami Beach’s historic art deco district.

On tonight's program: The governor signs a bill targeting what’s known as ESG investments; Some trial defendants would be spared from deposition requirements under a bill heading to Governor DeSantis’s desk; The federal trial of former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is still in the hands of the jury; A bill is nearing passage that would require state inspectors, rather than Disney employees, to make sure the theme park’s iconic monorail system is safe; And current Florida state employees will likely see a pay hike. State retirees though, probably won’t.

On tonight’s program: We have a state budget. House and Senate leaders agree on a $116 billion spending plan; New voting rules seem assured to go into effect as a result of this year’s Florida lawmaking session; Will new limits on what can and can’t be discussed in Florida colleges and universities scare students – and valuable faculty members – away?; A bill that cleared the Senate and seems likely to pass the House authorizes school buses equipped with cameras to catch lawbreaking motorists; And local folks won’t have much to say about new development if a bill now racing through the legislature is successful.

On tonight’s program: A Florida public school superintendent says he’s become a political target for Governor DeSantis; Voting rights groups say Florida’s voter registration form is unlawful and inadequate; Florida’s LGBTQ residents are decrying a legislative session that they believe put a target on their backs; A bill allowing landlords to collect ongoing fees instead of one-time security deposits has its fans, as well as opponents; Florida leaders consider using a radioactive material in road construction (Alternate: The House approves a bill to study the potential of using radioactive material to build roads); And efforts are ramping up to save Florida’s manatees from starvation.

On tonight’s program: The Florida Senate tees up a bill cracking down on those who employ or help undocumented immigrants in Florida; Florida’s Community Action Agencies and their clients could have faced defunding this year. But it now looks like their federal funding, as authorized by the state, will continue; The defense rests in the federal trial of former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Gillum and his associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks; And cutting off access to TikTok and some other social media platforms could cut off some college athletes from a major revenue source.

On tonight's program: Everyone knew opening up Florida’s school voucher program would cost some money. But now the numbers are firming up and it’s looking like a LOT of money; Under present state law, Governor DeSantis will have to step down in order to run for president, if that’s what he wants to do. But state lawmakers are on the verge of letting him do both at the same time; After weeks of taking heat from Governor DeSantis, the Disney Company is firing back with a lawsuit; And after a House committee approved plans to subpoena two health organizations some question the motive.

Enterprise Florida may be on the chopping block as lawmakers look to recreate the Florida Department of Commerce; as drag queens rally outside the Capitol, inside the building, lawmakers move ahead with a bill that designates who gets to use which bathroom; Freedom of speech may be under fire in Tallahassee as lawmakers pass a number of bills that contain restrictions on what can and can’t be said in certain situations; and the Florida Legislature ponders what can be done to save the state’s iconic sea cows.

On tonight's program: New beginnings for Florida’s New College aren’t getting applause from everyone; Undocumented immigrants would be barred from admission to the Florida Bar under a bill working its way through the Legislature; And a South Florida librarian reacts to the controversy surrounding what books can and can’t be accessed by students.

On tonight’s program: Republican lawmakers are pushing more restrictions around voting; It seems Florida’s new abortion ban makes no allowances for possibly life-threatening mental health matters; Changes in test score requirements, coupled with instructional losses linked to COVID, could endanger graduation for a BUNCH of Florida high schoolers; The federal trial involving 2018 candidate for Florida governor Andrew Gillum continues in Tallahassee. We’ll have an on-the-scene report; A bill that would have limited the THC content of hemp products appears dead for this legislative session; Florida’s March jobless rate is the same as February’s; And a North Florida state attorney comes under fire as critics claim one of his offices is deliberately targeting Hispanic immigrants.

On tonight’s program: With the stroke of Governor DeSantis’s pen today, Florida now has the nation’s lowest threshold for juries to impose the death penalty; A tiny North Florida town has a big sewage problem. But the area’s newly-elected state senator is trying to solve it; And it was a rude awakening for millions of Florida residents in the pre-dawn hours this morning. We’ll explain what happened.

On tonight’s program: More bills opponents claim are anti-LGBTQ clear the Florida House; The Florida Board of Education okays an expansion of what topics are banned in fourth through twelfth grade classrooms, a decision that generated plenty of controversy; The Legislature considers further state controls on Disney’s Florida property; And our resident weather expert looks back on the historic supercell that nearly drowned Fort Lauderdale.

On tonight’s program: More measures that opponents claim unfairly target LGBTQ people have house hearings; Florida’s new restrictions on abortion are part of a national trend; Year-round school seems a coming thing in Florida; And lawmakers may have to address a glitch in low-income program funding.

On tonight’s program: It’s day one of the federal trial of former Florida Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum; Travel records of top state officials may be shielded from public scrutiny under a bill that seems destined to pass the Florida Legislature; And Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign to bring the Disney company into line continues.

On tonight’s program: Democrats worry a 6-week abortion ban will endanger pregnant people as they struggle to access abortion care, but the bill’s sponsor says the lives of mothers are protected; Controversy swirls over the COVID advice issued by Florida’s Surgeon General; After many years of trust fund sweeping and budget skimping, the Florida Legislature seems to finally see the importance of putting enough resources into affordable housing; A widely publicized uproar over a Michelangelo statue isn’t the only trouble plaguing a Florida charter school; Not every college or university student agrees that diversity and inclusion are positive concepts; Amidst uncertainty about the impact of new state policies, Florida’s only historically black state university, celebrates its special day at the Capitol; And Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville,” a staple of bar bands everywhere, is 50 years old.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s six week abortion ban clears the House. The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk; As lawmakers look at expanding parental rights in schools, a backlash is building; Tighter rules regarding public sector employee unions doesn’t get universal support from legislative Republicans; And Florida’s budget is almost a done deal, with the emphasis on the word “almost.”

On tonight’s program: What kind of history can be taught in Florida schools? The answer may depend on who you ask; A bill to stop credit card companies from tracking gun sales is closer to passage; Lawmakers look to toughen penalties for gun criminals and other violent offenders; And lawmakers and others are responding to a statement one Republican House member made earlier this week against members of the LGBTQ community.

On tonight’s program: The all-important Florida budget is taking shape as House and Senate members start bringing their separate versions into agreement; Florida lawmakers debate still more changes to the state’s elections laws; And a pointed attack by a Florida lawmaker on the LGBTQ community draws criticism from multiple sides.

On tonight’s program: Florida Republicans want to protect monuments from destruction and removal, regardless of who they offend; Florida’s veterans are weighing in on the state’s new permitless carry law; And a bid to protect users internet privacy is back, and so are the opposition ads.

On tonight’s program: Inside and outside the Capitol, there was impassioned debate and protests this week over Florida’s proposed six-week abortion bill; Some say it’s too much, others say it’s not enough. But few people think Florida’s new concealed carry law is a good thing; As state lawmakers assert more and more authority, local governments in Florida are pushing back; Florida’s first Generation Z member of congress has some thoughts about what’s going on in the Florida Legislature; TikTok becomes a no-no at a growing number of Florida institutions of higher learning. Some students are ahead of that curve; The mother of a transgender daughter wonders why some people in the Florida Legislature are so focused on her child; And lawmakers move to give teen students a few more winks before they have to get up and go to school.

On tonight’s program: More changes seem certain for Florida’s election laws; Local ordinances regulating landlord-tenant matters would be scrapped under a measure now being considered by state lawmakers; And Florida lawmakers consider more online privacy protections for young people.

On tonight’s program: Florida lawmakers target the so-called “bad actors” in the state’s insurance market; Local government officials decry the latest moves by the state legislature to pre-empt local control; Amidst a rash of purloined platinum, the Florida Senate passes a bill ramping up penalties for catalytic converter theft; And forgotten African-American cemeteries in Florida may be restored under a bill now working its way through the Florida House.

On tonight’s program: Within 24 hours of filing, sweeping changes to Florida’s voting laws hits the legislature; A Monday evening protest outside Tallahassee City Hall ends with several arrests, including the Florida Senate Minority Leader and chair of the state’s Democratic Party; And Florida lawmakers may give themselves more power in a public health emergency.

On tonight’s program: Tense times in the Florida Senate today as a six-week abortion ban is passed; Just days after passage by lawmakers, Governor DeSantis signs the permitless concealed carry bill into law; And it seems the governor’s effort to punish Disney for opposing some of his policies may not have worked as intended.

On tonight’s program: A move to ban nearly all abortions after 6 weeks is raising alarms; Florida now has greatly expanded school choice. We discuss which students are most likely to benefit; Florida seems poised to add a lot more affordable housing to what’s been a shrinking stockpile; The Florida Legislature tries again to get alimony changes across the finish line; Lawmakers are also giving another go to exempting infant diapers – and now adult incontinence products – from the state’s sales tax; And Medicaid coverage runs out for many Floridians this weekend. And keeping that coverage in force is easier said than done.

On tonight’s program: The state Senate passes the bill allowing people to conceal carry firearms without a permit in Florida; Another so-called “bathroom bill” is back before Florida lawmakers; And time could be running out for Florida’s public-private partnership entities such as Enterprise Florida.

On tonight’s program: With passage of a 6-week abortion ban in Florida ever more likely, opponents have launched a last-ditch effort to defeat the measure; A protest in Tallahassee rails against many of the legislature’s priorities; A state lawmaker makes the case that medical marijuana and hemp products are totally different; The size of Tallahassee’s State Capital Complex could be getting bigger; And the state Senate takes up a major priority of House Speaker Paul Renner to prevent government investments based on anything but rate-of-return.

On tonight’s program: A 6-week abortion limit is headed to the Senate floor; All of Florida’s local elected officials could be subject to voter recall if that idea makes it through the legislature; Medicaid will end Saturday for more than one million Floridians. Democrats in the Legislature are urging Governor DeSantis to not let that happen; And both chambers will soon consider later start times for Florida public schools.

On tonight’s program: Latino clerics from across Florida come to Tallahassee, begging lawmakers to reject a bill criminalizing those who help undocumented immigrants; Come July 1st, expanded school vouchers take effect in Florida; It looks likely that Florida voters will decide next year whether to adopt a constitutional amendment making all school board races partisan; Hospital workers, and especially nurses, face violent attacks on the job; And a bill creating an official remembrance day for the Holocaust is working its way through the Florida Legislature.

On tonight’s program: Carrying firearms without a permit in Florida will not mean open carry. And some folks are just fine with that; The death penalty is on the table for those who commit sex crimes against children; Tort reform gets the green light in Florida, much to the delight of businesses and their advocates. For trial attorneys and consumer rights people, not so much; Should Drag Queen events be limited to adults only? Who decides what’s appropriate for kids?; An affordable housing bill makes the legislative cut; University of Florida researchers warn rising seas will mean moving day for an ever-growing number of state residents; And Florida needs more nurses, so the push is on for more nurse training programs to meet that need.

On tonight’s program: Two of Governor DeSantis’s priorities – limits on business lawsuits and universal school voucher expansion – clear all legislative hurdles and are headed to his desk; The expansion of restrictions on classroom discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation will go all the way to the 12th grade by means of administrative action by Governor DeSantis; But that expansion is sparking concern and even fear among members of the state’s LGBTQ community and their supporters.

On tonight’s program: Florida students rally at the Capitol in support of clean energy; Unanimous jury decisions for the imposition of the death penalty in Florida may no longer be required under a legislative proposal that cleared a key Senate panel today; And mail order tooth straighteners may not do the job, so Florida lawmakers may try to straighten things out.

On tonight’s program: It seems the Florida Legislature’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education is by no means an outlier among states; Florida crime victims could soon be getting additional relief from state lawmakers; Electric vehicle owners in Florida may soon pay their own version of a gas tax; And lawmakers say a move to let CNAs get added training to dispense medication could help both patients and their careers.

On tonight’s program: Opponents of a bill put more oversight in place for local ordinances say it lets one person stop a project the rest of the community might support; Term limits for Florida’s county school board members seem a near certainty; And a dispute over what kind of signature is needed for legal voting in Florida heads to court.

On tonight’s program: While supporters say a ban on gender affirming care for kids keeps them safe, others argue it puts them in danger; Florida’s largest teachers’ union is insisting a shelf of books in a classroom shouldn’t be considered a “school library” for purposes of potential book banning; Several other major education bills whizzed through the Florida House today; Florida's Republican legislature is again taking aim at public employee unions; More local ordinances could run afoul of state law under new pre-emption measures state lawmakers are considering; A popular social media app is targeted for deletion in government devices in Florida; And a tireless Florida advocate for the downtrodden and disadvantaged passes from the scene.

On tonight’s program: A doctor warns a proposed 6-week abortion ban will be “devastating” for the care of Florida’s pregnant women; Legislation that would lower the minimum age to buy a rifle from 21 to 18 is bringing back memories of the Parkland school shooting...; The cost of universal school vouchers in Florida remains an open question; And a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty would be reduced to a simple jury majority vote under a bill considered by a House panel today.

On tonight’s program: The bill combining permitless carry of firearms and school safety raises the hackles of Democrats in the legislature; Proposed higher education reform would NOT ban specific courses, minority Greek organizations or Historically Black institutions under a revamped state senate bill; A bill that limits what pronouns teachers can use for their students is raising concerns for parents of transgender children; A book giveaway at the Capitol stands in opposition to new restrictions on classroom reading guidelines; And further restrictions on undocumented immigration are moving quickly through the Florida Legislature.

On tonight’s program: Big change could be coming for the American history courses offered in Florida’s state colleges and universities; A bill making gender affirming care for minors against the law is working its way through the lawmaking process; Legislation banning any kind of “age inappropriate” sex instruction in public schools could extend through high school; Opponents warn a measure making it easier to sue the news media could come back to bite its supporters; And a teenager’s death spurs legislation to boost safety on amusement rides.