James Call

5 days ago | tallahassee.com | James Call

As one lawmaker put it, victims' trauma 'is real and will become debilitating if not addressed.' James CallUSA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaA shooting at Florida State University prompted reactions from lawmakers and renewed calls for gun control. Lawmakers described the panic and fear following the shooting, highlighting the trauma experienced by students and faculty. The incident reignited the debate over gun control in Florida, with Democrats pushing for stricter regulations.

6 days ago | yahoo.com | James Call

A bill to create a dangerous dog registry and require the owners of dogs listed on it to secure $100,000 of liability insurance is headed to the House floor. The “Pam Rock Act” is named for a 62-year-old mail carrier mauled by five dogs in rural Putnam County in 2022. The dogs had broken out of a fenced yard and attacked Rock on a rural dirt road when her postal truck stopped running. The measure by Rep. Judson Sapp, R-Green Cove Springs, and Sen.

1 week ago | tallahassee.com | James Call

James CallUSA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaFlorida House unanimously passed legislation to protect state parks from construction of golf courses and other commercial developments. Environmentalists favor the House version over a Senate bill due to stronger language protecting natural habitats. The Senate bill's language about using disturbed uplands is a concern for critics who fear it could allow for development.

1 week ago | tallahassee.com | James Call

Florida House unanimously approves bill banning oil drilling near Apalachicola River. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a similar but less restrictive bill awaits. Both bills aim to protect Florida's environment and economy from potential oil spills. The Florida House unanimously approved a bipartisan proposal on Wednesday, April 16, that effectively bans oil drilling for 52 miles along the banks of the Apalachicola River.

2 weeks ago | tcpalm.com | Gianna Montesano |James Call

FWC will consider a hunt from Dec. 6 to 28. Florida black bears used to be considered a threatened species from 1974 to 2012. Florida may allow 187 black bears to be hunted. Florida hunters may be able to kill 187 black bears for three weeks in December. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working on a plan to issue 187 permits — each allowing the harvest of one bear — in mid-December in 31 Florida counties, not including the Treasure Coast.