Florida Universal School Vouchers Advances To Governor's Desk
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A bill aimed at expanding school vouchers to all Florida families is moving to the governor's desk. The measures approved by the state Senate would allow all households with students in public school to receive benefits from the program. Caregivers can also open savings accounts to help pay for education resources, like tutoring or home schooling. Supporters of the bill believe this will give parents more options. However, critics say the amount of money it will take to fund the legislation will negatively impact public education funding. It's expected to cost the state more than two-hundred-million dollars to pay for the expansion.
Legal Reform Bill Passes Senate
(Tallahassee, FL) --A St. Johns County lawmaker's attempt at insurance reform is moving forward. The state senate yesterday passed the Civil Remedies bill. HB 837 says insurance companies no longer have to pay a policy holder's legal costs if the policy holder sues the company and wins. It also limits how much someone suing for negligence can collect in medical expenses. Supporters say it will lead to fewer lawsuits and lower the costs for policy holders. Opponents, though, say it favors insurance companies too much. Elkton Republican State Senator Travis Hutson sponsored the bill. He tells the Tampa Bay Times this will stop people from believing they won the jackpot in the litigation lottery.
Bonuses Available To Teachers Who Compete Civic Education Programs
(Orange Park, FL) -- The state of Florida is offering thousands of dollars for teachers who take part in a new civic education program. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Clay County yesterday to give an update on the state's progress. He said 45-hundred educators have completed the program as a way to improve civic engagement in the classroom. The first 20-thousand teachers who complete the 50-hours worth of instruction courses will be eligible for a three-thousand dollar bonus. The governor is asking the legislature to provide funding to keep the program running.
Orange County Students Treated For Heat Exhaustion
(Orlando, FL) --Over a dozen students in Orange County are dealing with the effects of heat exhaustion. Orange County Fire Rescue responded yesterday to Colonial High School. Students were outside after being evacuated for what school officials say was a threat made online. While waiting to reenter the school, 20 students suffered heat exhaustion. Three had to be taken to the hospital, but there's no word on their conditions.
NASA Pushes Back Date For Starliner Crew Test
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- NASA is making a change to an upcoming mission. The space agency announced yesterday it's postponing the launch of the Boeing Starliner crew flight test. The launch was set for next month, but now it'll take place no earlier than May. NASA says this will allow time to assess readiness and complete verification work. This will be Starliner's first crewed mission.
Disney Agrees To New Deal With Union
(Orlando, FL) --Disney World workers are celebrating a victory. Walt Disney World and the Services Trade Council Union agreed to a new contract yesterday. The union's 45-thousand workers will get raises of at least three dollars an hour this year. That'll raise the starting hourly wage to 18 dollars an hour. By 2026, it'll be 20 dollars an hour. The union's president says members were determined to fight for 18 dollars an hour, and today, we won that fight. The union's members will vote Wednesday to ratify the contract.
Woman Arrested For Drugging Men And Robbing Them
(Miami, FL) --A woman is accused of seducing men, drugging them and robbing them. Miami Police yesterday charged Cassidy Paris with grand theft. She allegedly stole over 100-thousand dollars worth of jewelry and cash from men she met in nightclubs. The most expensive item she's accused of stealing is a 45-thousand dollar Rolex watch.
Mayor Adams Says He's Found A NYC Rat Czar
(New York, NY) --New York City's search for a rat czar seems to be coming to an end. Mayor Adams tells reports he's narrowed the search down to one person and the decision will be made public soon. He didn't say when and only revealed the rat czar is a woman. More than one-thousand people have applied to the job since the city posted it back in December, calling for to be "bloodthirsty" and have a "vehemence for rodents." The person in charge of New York City's so-called "war on rats" would be making upwards of 120-thousand-dollars.
Cat Rescued From Car Engine Reunited With Owners
(Bentoville, AR) --A cat rescued from the engine of a car in a Bentonville, Arkansas parking garage has been reunited with her owners. It took officers, animal control officials and finally firefighters to free the cat which rescuers nicknamed Pickles. Now it turns out Pickles is really named Sarah, and her family has claimed her and brought her back home. She wasn't hurt during the incident.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska's Prince William Sound and began leaking eleven-million-gallons of crude oil.
1980, "ABC News Nightline" debuted as a regular program four months after covering the Iran hostage crisis in a series of late night specials.