Florida cannot enforce a new law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or remain in the state, the U.S. Supreme Court said July 9. The one-sentence order let stand a lower court ruling barring the state from…
Florida faith leaders plead with DeSantis to slow executions
More than 100 Florida faith leaders signed a letter pleading with Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause the fast pace of executions in the state this year. Seven men have been executed already in 2025, and two more are scheduled to…
Six Southern states create new accrediting agency
With U.S. President Donald Trump attempting to force academic accrediting agencies to be less “woke” and more responsive to conservatives’ demands, six public universities last week announced formation of their own accrediting agency. This is an attempt to separate from…
Florida Drag Ban Halted By Appellate Court
A ban on minors attending family-friendly drag shows in Florida was halted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on Tuesday after judges ruled 2-1 that it violated the First Amendment.
Harsh Florida law blocked while Trump administration sows more fear among immigrants
In the fast-moving world of U.S. immigration news, a Florida court blocked a severe state law while the Trump administration continues to spread fear in its anti-immigrant campaign. A federal court in Miami temporarily blocked a new Florida law that…
Randy Fine prevails in Florida special election, bringing tally of Jewish Republicans in Congress to 4
Randy Fine, a Jewish Republican backed by President Donald Trump, has prevailed in a special election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
In a year of voucher mania, a controversial federal plan emerges
Donald Trump and congressional Republicans already intent on spending tax dollars on private education want to go even further by creating billions in new federal tax credits to school voucher programs. Newly introduced legislation would provide $10 billion in annual…
More child sexual abuse bills filed in 6 states
In January, several bills were proposed across different states relating to child sexual abuse — many addressing statutes of limitations, nondisclosure agreements or settlement payouts. Legislators said they hope these changes will make it easier for child sexual abuse victims…
Federal judge blocks DeSantis’ effort to censor TV ads on abortion measure
A federal judge took Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to school on the First Amendment in siding with a nonprofit organization’s right to air a TV ad promoting an abortion rights measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. Chief U.S. District Judge…
In Helene’s path, churches swing into action with relief ministries
People and institutions of faith from Florida to North Carolina are kicking into high gear to help the victims of Hurricane Helene even as they struggle assessing the human need and the scope of physical damage. Even in the most…
Several states are still fighting over ballot initiatives on abortion
Conservatives in several states have gone all out to defeat abortion-rights ballot measures before voters even get to the polls in November. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered state police to question residents who signed petitions to place Amendment…
Publishers sue to stop Florida’s rapid book bans
Six major U.S. publishers, the Authors Guild and several authors and parents have filed a federal lawsuit to stop a new Florida law allowing public school libraries to ban books whenever a parent raises objections about sexual content. The suit,…