by Grant Holcomb | Nov 28, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
The Florida Supreme Court is calling for creating a sixth state appeals court. One of their reasons for making the call is “serious underrepresentation” of appellate judges from Jacksonville. “The creation of a new district court, like any other significant...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 27, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
A federal judge has denied a stay on the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s sports betting compact with the state of Florida. A ruling earlier in the week blocked the agreement between the tribe and the state. As of Thursday, the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Sportsbook...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 27, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Two Jacksonville men have been charged with registering dead people to vote. Devin Deangelo King and Jordan Rayeshaun Daniels have both been arrested. The motive does not appear to be political, but personal financial gain. “This was a group working with...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 26, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
A Florida man, Stephen Alford, plead guilty regarding his involvement in attempting to extort $25 million from Congressman Matt Gaetz’s (R-FL-1) father, former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz. The latest development is part of a sex trafficking investigation...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 25, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
For the first time in the state of Florida’s history, Republicans now outnumber Democrats in official voter registration totals. According to the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections, there are 5,118,657 registered Republicans and 5,114,039...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 24, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
In a newest poll from St. Pete Polls, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is outperforming his likely Democratic challengers in a hypothetical head-to-head general election. According to the poll, DeSantis would defeat Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) 50.6-44.8...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 24, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Four men -known as the Groveland Four – who were falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949 have been posthumously exonerated. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the three-member cabinet also posthumously pardoned the men in 2019. Prosecutors motioned to...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 23, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Florida’s October unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent, down from the September rate of 4.8 percent. “Florida’s economy continues to grow faster than the nation because we put the needs of Floridians and businesses first and make smart policy...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 22, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
A new advocacy group, Moms for Liberty (MFL), was founded by two former Florida school board members to unite parents against what they see as destructive policies being perpetuated in the public school system. “Our mission is to empower parents to stand up and...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 21, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) announced she is launching an investigation against Meta, the company previously known as Facebook before its recent rebrand. Moody is joining seven other attorneys general in launching an investigation into its...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 20, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) claims Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is raising gas taxes. However, it’s Florida law that dictates the rise in gas taxes which is tied to consumer price index (CPI ). The gas tax adjustment is required...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 20, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
The Flagler County Sheriffs’ Office is investigating whether or not obscenity laws might have been violated after social media posts brought a book to the attention of the Flagler County School Board. The book is entitled “All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 19, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed four bills yesterday primarily focused on requiring Florida businesses to provide vaccine alternatives to their employees. DeSantis used the bill signing ceremony as an opportunity to tell Floridians he is keeping his...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 18, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
The Florida House passed HB 1B in its special session yesterday, ensuring businesses would be penalized if they require an employee to get a vaccine mandate. The bill was largely passed along party lines, however, one Democrat, Rep. James Bush (D- District 109)...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 17, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
A bill that would create a state counterpart to the federal government’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) is primed and ready to be considered on the floor of the Florida House. While the bill would not create the new state department outright, it would...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 16, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
As Florida’s special session regarding vaccine mandates began yesterday, Florida’s business community shares concerns and opposition to the prospect of vaccine mandate bans. Leading Age Florida represents continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes,...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 16, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) called for a special session over vaccine mandates and mask mandates last month, the Florida Legislature convened for the first time yesterday and will continue to meet until Friday. The goal of the special session for...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 14, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the largest police union in the state, announced it is endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his 2022 gubernatorial reelection bid. The PBA represents more than 30,000 law enforcement and corrections officers....
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 13, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
The first maps of Florida’s new congressional districts were released this week, and Florida’s newest district could have Polk County existing within its own congressional district. Florida currently has 27 districts but gained one after the 2020 census....
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 13, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
DraftKings and FanDuel have contributed more than $20 million to fund a ballot initiative hoping to expand gambling in Florida. The ballot measure would legalize sports betting at all pari-mutuels, professional sports stadiums and arenas, and throughout the...
by Grant Holcomb | Nov 12, 2021 | Battleground States, Florida, The South
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the efforts of Florida’s Republican leadership to ban vaccine mandates in the upcoming special legislative session. The special session begins next Monday and runs through Friday. “The question is, really...
