Category: Politics
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Miami Beach Shows How Not to Defend Free Speech
A Miami Beach resident received a police visit after criticizing the mayor on social media — raising serious First Amendment concerns. When political speech triggers law enforcement attention, free expression is already under threat.
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Florida Marijuana Ballot Effort Stumbles as Thousands of Petition Signatures Ruled Invalid
Florida’s latest push to legalize recreational marijuana hit a major roadblock after state officials invalidated tens of thousands of petition signatures—raising fresh concerns about ballot integrity, paid petition practices, and whether sweeping policy changes belong in the state constitution.
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Florida Supreme Court Ends ABA Monopoly on Law School Accreditation
Florida becomes the second state to end exclusive reliance on the ABA for law school accreditation, opening new paths to the bar exam amid conservative criticism of “woke” oversight in legal education.
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New Florida Bill Seeks to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Parental Rights
A new bill in Florida seeks to prevent family courts from restricting custody or visitation rights solely due to a parent’s legal medical marijuana use. It aims to ensure fair treatment for medical marijuana patients in custody disputes, aligning family law with state marijuana regulations while addressing safety concerns raised by critics.
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Florida’s Teacher Shortage Isn’t New — But the Midyear Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Midyear data shows Florida’s teacher shortage remains unresolved, with some districts improving while others see alarming turnover. New vacancy numbers from the Florida Education Association highlight why classroom stability — not political rhetoric — may be the state’s biggest education challenge.
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Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session Opens Amid Tax Battles, AI Push, and Budget Tensions
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session opens January 13, focusing on key issues like property tax relief, artificial intelligence regulation, and insurance reforms. Governor DeSantis prioritizes cutting property taxes amid rising housing costs. The session is expected to be contentious, with numerous bills proposed and debates on local government impacts and innovation concerns.
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Who Is Running for Governor of Florida in 2026?
The 2026 Florida gubernatorial election is set for November 3, with primaries on August 18. Incumbent Ron DeSantis is term-limited, leading to an open race. Byron Donalds, backed by Trump, is the GOP frontrunner. Democrats David Jolly and Jerry Demings hope to challenge in a Republican-leaning state.
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Fraud at the Top: Tiffany Carr Case Exposes Florida’s Nonprofit Oversight Failures
Tiffany Carr, former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, pleaded no contest to organized fraud and misconduct, avoiding prison despite her role in diverting millions meant for domestic violence victims. The case highlights severe oversight failures in Florida’s nonprofit sector, raising concerns about accountability and the handling of public funds.
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Florida Supreme Court Rejects Uthmeier Plan to Loosen Bar Rules for Government Lawyers
The Florida Supreme Court unanimously rejected a proposal allowing out-of-state lawyers to work in the executive branch without passing the Florida Bar exam. The ruling emphasizes maintaining attorney licensure standards despite staffing challenges. The Florida Bar opposed the plan, asserting that it undermined public protection and expertise in state law.
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Florida’s Year of Turmoil: The Five Biggest Scandals and Stories of 2025
In 2025, Florida faced significant scandals impacting both parties, primarily linked to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. Key issues included the Hope Florida Foundation scandal, misuse of public funds for political advocacy, and controversies surrounding Rep. Cory Mills. These events highlighted internal GOP conflicts and raised concerns about ethics and governance in the state.
Florida Bay News 