Covering All Things Florida
Every March and November, America reenacts one of its strangest magic tricks: we lose an hour, then months later we find it again behind the couch cushions of November, dusty but intact, like the coins that fell out of our pockets back in the 1980s when people still used cash.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Friday that deportation flights have officially begun from the state’s controversial new immigration detention center, known informally as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
A 71-year-old Chinese-born Canadian citizen, Xiao Guang Pan, has entered a guilty plea in a federal case involving unauthorized drone flights over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Brain-computer interface (BCI) pioneer Synchron announced it will be the first company to achieve native integration with Apple’s new BCI Human Interface Device (HID) profile, unveiled this week. This milestone allows people implanted with Synchron’s BCI to control iPhones, iPads, and Apple Vision Pro using only their thoughts—no touch, no voice, no physical movement required.
When the Florida legislature convenes in an extended regular session the week of May 12th, there will be a lot of hot-button budgetary issues on the table. Probably the closest watched will be the battle over tax relief for Floridians.
Less is more – that’s the thinking of the Florida legislature when it comes to the use of cell phones in schools. Last week, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that expands restrictions on student cellphone use in public schools. The new measures, part of Senate Bill 1296, prohibit the use of cellphones throughout the entire school day for elementary and middle school students and initiate a pilot program to test similar restrictions in select high schools.
April 21, 2025
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just hours after delivering his Easter Sunday address. His passing marks the end of a 12-year papacy defined by humility, advocacy for the poor, and bold reforms that reshaped the Church’s global outreach. Mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square, some in tears, as world leaders and Catholics worldwide praised his commitment to marginalized communities and his vision for a more inclusive Church.
In a unanimous decision, the Florida House of Representatives approved House Bill 7031 on Wednesday, aiming to reduce the Florida sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%. The bill, which brings even more substantial sales tax cuts in certain areas, passed with a 112-0 vote.
As of May 7, 2025- just one short month from now- significant changes will take effect regarding identification requirements for Americans. With the coming enforcement of the REAL ID Act, individuals who want to board US domestic flights or enter government facilities will need to possess a REAL ID-compliant form of identification (And yes, Florida’s cruise terminals count as a government facility). There are only a few exceptions, such as states that issue what is known as “Enhanced ID” – Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. The government says REAL ID requirements will be strictly enforced. Here’s how to make sure you are ready.
(The Center Square / Steve Wilson) – Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wants to cut the state’s sales tax rate, saying it would be the largest cut in the state’s history.
Florida lawmakers are what might become a new Florida law, Senate Bill 1782 (SB 1782), a measure aimed at imposing stricter penalties on drivers who engage in extreme speeding, commonly referred to as “super speeders.” The bill, introduced by State Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo (D) Hollywood, seeks to deter reckless driving behaviors that have become increasingly prevalent on Florida’s roadways. Pizzo’s district covers parts of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
A new survey by Uplevyl, an Austin-based company, highlights a growing trend of women disengaging from major social media platforms due to concerns over misinformation, harassment, security, and mental health impacts.
