Florida bill to ban funds for college DEI initiatives gets closer to becoming law

The controversial bill, which is called HB 999, is one step closer to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk after clearing its first major hurdle.

A bill that would ban colleges and universities in Florida from using funds to promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is one step closer to becoming a law. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis says DEI initiatives and the teaching of critical race theory are being used to push a political agenda. 

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LGBTQ clothing store proud to be in Ybor

Ybor City has often been referred to as Gaybor because of all the LGBTQ-owned businesses. Unfortunately, many of those businesses have closed over the years. However, there is one clothing store that’s leading the comeback.

Bulge Apparel recently won Watermark’s Wave Award for Tampa Bay’s Favorite Hidden Gem.

Tucked away on 13th Street, across from trolley stop number four, owner PJ Salas said his clothing store may be small, but the impact it’s making is huge.

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Hillsborough County man raises substance abuse awareness through new film

Tampa Bay faith leaders call to end the 'criminalization of poverty'

DeSantis admin. moves to expand restrictions on LGBTQ discussions through high school

The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” as the Republican governor continues a focus on cultural issues ahead of his expected presidential run.

The proposal, which would not require legislative approval, is scheduled for a vote next month before the state Board of Education and has been put forth by state Education Department, both of which are led by appointees of the governor.

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A Florida Senate panel supports a crackdown on drag shows

Amid a crackdown by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on drag show performances, a Senate panel on Tuesday gave initial approval to a bill that would allow the state to revoke licenses of businesses that admit children to “adult live” performances.

The Republican-dominated Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to advance the proposal (SB 1438).

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Trump suggests DeSantis might be gay in latest smear

Florida NAACP moves towards initiating a travel advisory for Florida

Over the weekend, the Florida State NAACP unanimously voted to ask the NAACP National Board to issue a travel advisory. The advisory would ask people to forego visiting and moving to the sunshine state.

"Saying you don't want AP African American Studies here because they have certain topics in it, certain categories, certain words in it. You don't want companies to have the word diversity, equity and inclusion because it has institutional racism in their policy. You know, it takes us back. And we've been fighting so hard," said Hillsborough County Chapter President Yvette Lewis.

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GOP rallies to defend Trump

'Don't Say Gay' lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud

Former Florida State Representative Joseph Harding / Photo by Gage Skidmore

The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud.

Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. He faces up to 35 years in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 25.

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Survivors Speak Out on Bad Bill Impacting Civil Cases

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Vlogger Alexander Dueck in Ybor

Eric Alexander Quartet in Sarasota

 MAY 6, 2023 AT 8 PM

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center

Ron DeSantis straddles Trump and Stormy Daniels

Jessica Rose in Clearwater Beach

Playing music for you TONIGHT TUESDAY (and every Tuesday) at Beach Fire Beach Bar & Grille 8PM-11PM see you beautiful people there! INFO

House panel moves bill executing child rapists with supermajority jury vote

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee moved legislation by a 14-3 vote that enhances penalties on sexual battery against children.

Rep. Jessica Baker’s HB 1297 would pave the way for executing adults who rape children with only a supermajority jury verdict, meaning that at least eight of 12 jurors concur. If fewer than eight jurors agree on execution, then the crimes would merit life imprisonment.

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Trump THREATENS Republican Leaders to Support him on TV

Proposed Bill Would Ban The Florida Hemp Industry

In recent weeks, Florida legislators have taken steps toward banning hemp products. Senator Colleen Burton and Representative William Robinson have introduced companion bills, HB 1475 and SB 1676, [which] would reclassify hemp extract as “a food that requires time and temperature control for safety and integrity of product” and impose several regulations that would effectively end the hemp industry in Florida.....MORE

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Maxwell Frost SCHOOLS His GOP Colleagues

State pushes back in the fight over a Florida protest law

Protest in Tampa in 2021 / WMNF News

Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis told the Florida Supreme Court late Monday that a controversial 2021 law about protests that turn violent would not apply to peaceful demonstrators, disputing that the law is unconstitutional.

A 25-page brief was the latest move in a long-running battle about a law that DeSantis championed after nationwide protests following the 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. Dubbed the “Combating Public Disorder” law, the measure included a series of steps aimed at cracking down on people who participate in riots or a “violent public disturbance.”

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Florida legislators on why they voted for or against HB1 – universal vouchers for private schools

Students and teacher at Sheehy Elementary School by Pamela Robinson/WMNF News (2022)

A universal school voucher bill is sailing through the state legislature.

HB1 passed the Florida House on Friday and would allow nearly all students to attend private school with a voucher from the state. Some of the big concerns are how much it will cost – nobody can seem to agree on the number – and how much funding it will take away from public schools.

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House panel OK’s bill boosting safe house protections against human trafficking

Image CoIurtesy: sammisreachers / Flickr

A bill designed to improve human trafficking awareness, security and conditions at child and adult safe houses across Florida is now advancing in the [Florida] Legislature’s lower chamber.....MORE

Hillsborough County Children's Services raising awareness for National Safe Place Week

Photo by: National Safe Place Network

It’s National Safe Place Week and Hillsborough County Children’s Services wants to remind kids and teens that they can receive immediate help in a crisis.....MORE

A Florida House panel advances a bill that would bolster scrutiny of school books

Creator: Steven Martin

Looking to build on a controversial 2022 law, a Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would bolster a process for people to object to school instructional materials and for parents to limit school library books their children can read.

The measure also would define “sex” as “the classification of a person as either female or male based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the person's sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and internal and external genitalia present at birth.”

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