State Lawmakers Move Forward With Proposed Election Laws
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The battle over election law changes is continuing in the Florida Legislature. The state House committee approved a bill that would create a wide-range of restrictions for voter registration groups. Republican supporters believe the legislation will protect personal information of people signing up to vote. However, critics believe the proposal will negatively impact Black voters, immigrants and felons who have completed their sentences. A similar measure will go before a Senate panel today.
Legislation For Death Penalty On Child Rapists Heads To Governor
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A Florida bill creating harsher penalties for child rapists is heading to the governor's desk. In a late night move, the state Senate approved a measure that would allow the death penalty for people who sexually assault children under 12-years-old. The House gave the greenlight last week. Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the measure into law. He also plans to give final approval to legislation that would eliminate a unanimous jury recommendation in order for convicted murderers to be sentenced to death.
New Property Insurance Company To Enter Florida Market
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A new insurance company is joining Florida's market. State regulators approved Tailrow Insurance Company earlier this week, which is expected to focus on homeowners in South Florida. However, it won't be writing policies before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season this June. Officials say it could be closer to the end of the year before the agency is in full operation. More than a dozen property insurers have left Florida since 2020.
Disney Oversight Board Invalidates Reedy Creek Deal
(Orlando, FL)-- Disney is accused of engaging in a caper worthy of Scrooge McDuck. That's what a lawyer for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said yesterday. The board met yesterday and voted to invalidate a 30-year development agreement Disney signed in February with its former oversight board, the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The lawyer says that deal is null and void because Disney failed to properly notify other property owners in the district and violated the state constitution. The board also voted to give itself superior authority and control over the district.
State Lawmakers Seek To Nullify Last-Minute Disney Deal
(Tallahassee, FL)-- State lawmakers are working to invalidate Disney's last-minute deals with the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Amendments added yesterday to two bills make it illegal for special districts to honor development agreements made within three months of a law that would change how oversight board members are chosen. The new board also gets four months to decide if any prior development deal should go forward. Orlando Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani claims the House amendment is unconstitutional because it's retroactive, but the amendment's sponsor disagrees. Ocala Republican State Rep. Stan McClain says it's not retroactive because it's a new law.
Volusia County Council To Review Books In Public Library
(DeLand, FL)-- Books in the Volusia County library will undergo a review. The county council voted Tuesday to see if any children's books may be inappropriate. Councilman Don Dempsey says he has heard complaints that some books are pushing agendas to children, and it would be prudent to hear those complaints. Council Chairman Jeff Brower tells WFTV at this point the council is only asking library officials to reveal what their policy is regarding the book selection and dispute process.
Sarasota County School Board Rejects Deal With Consultant
(Sarasota, FL)-- Sarasota County won't move forward with plans to do an improvement study. The county school board voted Tuesday to reject a proposal to hire Vermilion Education. The consultant formed in December, and it's founder is a former civics education specialist at Hillsdale College, a small Chrisitan liberal arts school in Michigan. The school board was discussing a two-month district improvement study with Vermilion that would have cost 28-thousand dollars. One board member who voted against the deal said Vermilion didn't have enough experience.
McDonald's To Offer Big Mac Sauce In Dipping Cup
(New York, NY)-- McDonald's is changing up its Big Macs by adding more sauce, and now you can get even more. The fast food giant announced this week that for a limited time, customers will be able to get the Big Mac Sauce in a dip cup. In a bid to promote its staple items, McDonald's is working on building up hype around the product without making large scale changes. Dipping sauce is an easy way to do that without making an entirely new menu item or adding an ingredient to the existing Big Mac.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is convicted in the murder of George Floyd.
2016, ESPN fired former MLB All-Star Curt Schilling after sharing what was deemed to be an offensive post on Facebook over the North Carolina "bathroom law."
1999, two teenage gunmen opened fire on students and teachers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado killing 13 people before turning their guns on themselves.
1961, the Federal Communications Commission approved F-M Stereo broadcasting. It now accounts for more than 80-percent of all radio listening around the country.
1853, Harriet Tubman started her Underground Railroad, helping slaves to freedom.