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Gudinas Execution Goes to U.S. Supreme Court

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — Raising questions about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “unbridled discretion in determining who shall die and when,” an attorney for Thomas Gudinas has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the convicted killer’s scheduled execution Tuesday at Florida State Prison. Attorney Ali Shakoor on Wednesday filed a petition and a request for a stay of execution, in part arguing that the state should turn over records that would explain DeSantis’ decision last month to sign a death warrant for Gudinas.
Retired Firefighter Loses Disabilities Fight

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled against a firefighter who retired early because of Parkinson’s disease and alleged the city of Sanford violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by limiting a health-insurance subsidy. Justices upheld a decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the lawsuit filed by Karyn Stanley, a fire-department lieutenant who retired in 2018 at age 47 because of the effects of the disease.
Lawmakers Give Boost to 'Schools of Hope'

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers Monday night passed a measure that could help expand charter schools known as “schools of hope,” as Republicans continue trying to boost school choice and Democrats warn about harm to traditional public schools. The schools of hope proposal appeared to die before the scheduled May 2 end of this year’s legislative session, but it resurfaced as part of a bill linked to a new state budget.
Money OK’d for Athlete Revenue Sharing

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Turner

TALLAHASSEE --- Pointing to a need to avoid a disadvantage in recruiting athletes, Florida university-system leaders Wednesday made up to $22.5 million available for each state university to share revenues with athletes. The system’s Board of Governors approved the funding, which will be available annually at that level as a loan or transfer for the next three years.
Supreme Court OK's Trans Treatment Bans

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — In a major victory for Republican leaders in states such as Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee law that bars doctors from providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender minors to treat gender dysphoria. The closely watched ruling came amid a long-running legal battle about a similar ban that Florida approved in 2023.
Court Refuses to Halt Manatee Requirements

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — A divided federal appeals court Tuesday refused to halt a district judge's order that requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to take steps to protect manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon, including temporarily preventing new septic tanks in the area. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, rejected the department’s request for a stay of an order issued last month by U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza.
Federal Judge Finds Uthmeier in Contempt

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge Tuesday found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in civil contempt because of a letter he sent in April to police after she ordered a halt to enforcement of a new state immigration law. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams said Uthmeier violated a directive to notify police agencies that a temporary restraining order barred them from enforcing the law, which targets undocumented immigrants entering the state.
Justices Refuse to Halt Gudinas Execution

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to halt next week’s scheduled execution of Thomas Gudinas, rejecting arguments that he should be spared because he is “severely mentally ill.”Gudinas, 51, is scheduled to be executed June 24 in the May 1994 murder of Michelle McGrath in downtown Orlando. If the execution is carried out, Gudinas would be the seventh inmate put to death by lethal injection this year in Florida. kAm%96 $FAC6>6 r@FCE @A:?:@?
Bill Cotterell: Empty Threats in Game of ‘Beat the Press’

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Bill Cotterell

In almost every gangster movie, some tough guys will gang up on a little shopkeeper and mutter something like, “Yeah, this is a real nice little shop you got here — be a real shame if something happens to it, if you know what I’m getting at …”Gov. Ron DeSantis is a pretty good bully when he needs to intimidate school librarians or drag-show entrepreneurs, but he’s not so good at putting the squeeze on those who can fight back.
Lawmakers Pass $115.1B Budget, End Session

1 week ago | newsserviceflorida.com | Jim Turner |Tom Urban

TALLAHASSEE --- One of the more-contentious legislative sessions in recent history came to a close late Monday as lawmakers approved a $115.1 billion budget for next fiscal year and prepared to send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Senate unanimously passed the spending plan (SB 2500), while the House approved it in a 103-2 vote. Lawmakers finished the annual session at 11:19 p.m. — more than six weeks after the scheduled May 2 end of the session.