Florida Politics & News
Florida news featured in The Daily Signal with reporting, analysis, and commentary on conservative governance, education reform, and the Sunshine State’s leadership in policy innovation.
-
Inclusion Center at UF Faces ‘Elimination’ If Found to Violate Florida’s Anti-DEI Law
The University of Florida’s Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement may be next on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “chomping” block for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the home of the Gators. UF’s Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, or CIME, “celebrates and empowers diverse communities and advocates for an inclusive campus for all students…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
‘That Is Not a Religion’: DeSantis Bars Satanists From Florida School Chaplaincy Program
The Sunshine State is now welcoming chaplains into public schools, but Satanists need not apply. On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed a bill into law allowing chaplains to volunteer to offer counseling at public and charter schools. However, the Catholic governor warned that Satanists would not be accepted into the program, as some Christian and conservative…S.A. McCarthy -
Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative in Florida Aims to Trick Voters With Vague Definition of ‘Health’
A ballot initiative OK’d by the Florida Supreme Court perpetuates abortion advocates’ favored strategy of using vague definitions of “health” to expand abortion on demand. Florida voters will face a referendum measure in November that would allow abortion up to the moment of birth if deemed “necessary to protect the patient’s health” after the state…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
EXCLUSIVE: Florida Health Agency Responds to WPATH Files Exposing ‘Gender-Affirming Care’
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The Florida agency that crafted a rule to prevent Medicaid from funding experimental transgender medical interventions responded Tuesday to the release of internal documents from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Journalist Michael Shellenberger on Monday night released a report, “The WPATH Files,” through his nonprofit, Environmental Progress. In the…Tyler O’Neil -
Florida Can and Should Lead on Social Media Safety for Kids
Kids’ social media safety is at a crossroads in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis is considering whether to sign HB 1, which—if it becomes law—would become the new national gold standard for protecting kids online. Critics claim that the bill, which the Florida Legislature approved on Feb. 22, is inconsistent with privacy and parental rights, but…Daniel Cochrane -
Florida Authorities Arrest Abortion Activist for Submitting Fraudulent Petition Signatures
Florida authorities have caught multiple individuals involved in petition fraud related to a radical effort to enshrine late-term abortion into Florida’s state constitution. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced this week that inspectors arrested a “paid petition circulator” and issued an arrest warrant for a second petition circulator after they submitted 133 invalid constitutional…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Florida Says Driver Licenses Must Reflect Biological Sex, Not Gender Identity
Florida residents may not alter the gender marker on their licenses, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said, and those who misrepresent their biological sex on a driver’s license will henceforth be guilty of fraud and subject to criminal penalties. “The Term ‘gender’ … does not refer to a person’s internal sense…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Florida University System Removes ‘Left-Wing’ Sociology Course From Core Requirements
The 17-member board of governors of the Florida University System decided Wednesday to eliminate a sociology course from the core requirements to graduate and to replace it with an American history class, according to a press release. The new class, Introductory Survey to 1877, will introduce students to America’s founding, slavery, the Civil War, and…Brandon Poulter -
EXCLUSIVE: Florida School Punished for Allowing Boy in Girls’ Sports
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL: A Florida high school has been fined and placed on administrative probation for violating the state’s bylaws by allowing a biologically male student to participate on a female sports team, The Daily Signal has learned. The move appears to be the first time that a public school has been punished…Mary Margaret Olohan -
‘MAGIC BEHIND THE MAGIC’: Florida Government Reveals Massive Disney Corruption Scheme
The Walt Disney Co. effectively controlled the local government around the site of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for decades in what an extensive review by the state government calls "the most egregious exhibition of corporate cronyism in modern American history." After Disney bought the land that would become its massive amusement park and…Tyler O’Neil -
Florida Again Earns Top Spot on Heritage Foundation’s Education Freedom Report Card
Florida has once again been ranked No. 1 among the states on The Heritage Foundation’s Education Freedom Report Card, which was released at an event Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. “They have universal education choice in that state. Any child who wants it can exercise school choice,” says Lindsey Burke, director of The Heritage Foundation’s…Samantha Aschieris -
6 Key Takeaways From Trump’s Debate-Skipping Rally in Florida
Former President Donald Trump energized a huge rally Wednesday night in Hialeah, Florida, as his third counterprogramming event to a Republican presidential debate, this one staged in nearby Miami and televised by NBC. “The last debate was the lowest-rated debate in the history of politics,” Trump told the crowd. “So, therefore, do you think we…Fred Lucas -
Florida Universities Must Investigate Student Protests for Criminal ‘Antisemitic Activities,’ Chancellor Says
Florida's chancellor of the State University System is calling on university presidents to investigate whether pro-Palestinian student protests have included criminal "acts of antisemitism." He said that students who are found to have violated state law should face "appropriate action," including expulsion. Across the nation, pro-Palestinian students have held protests that support the Hamas terrorist…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Florida Law Allowing Death Penalty for Child Rapists Goes Into Effect
Florida’s new law permitting the death penalty for pedophiles went into effect this week, the state’s governor announced Tuesday evening. “Florida’s law allowing the death penalty for child rapists is now in effect,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a post on social media. “The minimum sentence is life in prison without parole. In Florida, anyone…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Here’s Why the Left Is So Determined to Destroy the New College of Florida
The Biden administration is attempting to crush a small Florida liberal arts school for not being left-wing. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights recently announced that it would launch an investigation into the New College of Florida. The school, which previously had been known for its liberal politics, is being transformed by Florida…Jarrett Stepman -
‘Blood on His Hands’: Florida Democrat Blames DeSantis’ Anti-Woke Policies for Jacksonville Shooting
The Democrat who represents the area of Jacksonville, Florida, where a 21-year-old white man gunned down three black men, blamed Gov. Ron DeSantis for inspiring the shooting. “This is a governor who has done nothing but fan, fan these types of happenings throughout our state,” Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon said Sunday on MSNBC. “Look,…Tyler O’Neil -
Florida Becomes First State to Sanction Medicaid Providers for Covering Minor Transitions
Florida has become the first state to sanction Medicaid providers for covering the attempted gender transitions of minors. The state is fining five Medicaid health care insurers for violating Florida's new rule banning taxpayer funds from going to transgender treatments, such as performing a double mastectomy or administering puberty blockers, Jason Weida, secretary of the…Mary Margaret Olohan -
EXCLUSIVE: Florida Schools See Decline in Teacher Vacancies
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Florida schools saw an eight percent decline in teacher vacancies heading into the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year compared to the previous year, The Daily Signal has learned. Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. will announce Tuesday that Florida schools will have 4,776 total teacher vacancies as students head into…Mary Margaret Olohan -
New College of Florida Trustees Vote to End Gender Studies
Trustees for the New College of Florida have voted to end a 28-year-old gender studies program. Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist and Manhattan Institute scholar appointed to New College’s board of trustees by Gov. Ron DeSantis, introduced the motion to direct the school’s president to eliminate the gender studies program. The board voted 7-3 in…Elise McCue -
‘Your Life Is Not Valued’: NAACP President Doubles Down on Florida Travel Warning
NAACP President Derrick Johnson doubled down on the organization’s travel warning about Florida during a Monday CNN appearance. “Well, the governor has perfected the art of doing stunts to gain campaign contributions. Unfortunately, this will impact people’s lives,” Johnson told “CNN This Morning” co-host Sara Sidner, citing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, as a…Harold Hutchison