Florida Republicans advanced a House bill that would restrict discussion on topics like racism and slavery in public school classrooms.
Faculty want USF President Rhea Law to oppose state legislation sponsored by Florida GOP chair
With all eyes on the University of Florida’s struggles with academic freedom, Janet and Shelley host guests, Ray Arsenault president of the Pinellas County Chapter of the ACLU of Florida; Tim Boaz, Faculty Senate President at University of South Florida and Andrew Gothard, president of United Faculty of Florida.
Hillsborough School Board narrows redistricting plans
Hillsborough County School Board narrows down redistricting plans from six to three, a final vote is expected Thursday.
In Oct. 7 meeting, state Board of Education will scrutinize districts with mask mandates
The Florida Board of Education will meet to determine if 11 school districts have complied with rules forbidding student mask mandates.
USF starts survey to help get input on its next president
USF launched an electronic survey that will hopefully reveal valuable input about qualities members of the community want in next president
Florida judge again uses DeSantis’s own case against him, says State cannot punish districts over mask mandates
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Leon County Judge John Cooper again Wednesday used Governor Ron DeSantis’s own arguments to rule against him on mask mandates. Cooper set aside a stay to his original ruling, meaning the State can no longer punish school districts for implementing mask mandates. LISTEN: In the initial judgment,… Read more »
Parents clash on mask mandates at Pasco County School Board meeting
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Parents with opposing views on mask mandates clashed at a Pasco County School Board meeting today. Pro-mask parents honked horns and rallied in cars, prompting faculty to turn up the volume inside. LISTEN: Nearly 20 cars circled the parking lot just off Land O’Lakes Boulevard. School board… Read more »
Attorney for parents who sued Florida governor over executive order banning mask mandates in schools
WMNF spoke with a lawyer who represented parents who defeated Florida’s governor in court in a fight over mask mandates in schools.
Judge uses DeSantis’s own defense to dismantle case for banning mask mandates in schools
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The state of Florida cannot punish school districts for implementing mask mandates with medical opt-outs. That’s the ruling handed down Friday by a Leon County judge. Gov. Ron DeSantis’s evidence for banning mandates wound up losing the case for him. LISTEN: The ruling means schools can continue… Read more »
Pinellas School Board votes down option to institute mask mandate
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Masks will remain optional in Pinellas County Schools. The Pinellas School Board Tuesday voted against holding a special meeting to discuss instituting a mask mandate. LISTEN: School board member Caprice Edmond motioned to call the special meeting. “I am asking the board to take a vote today… Read more »
Hillsborough addition means Florida’s top three school districts now have mask mandates against Gov.’s wishes
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough County School Board Wednesday voted to institute a 30-day mandatory mask policy. Board members voted 5-2 to institute the temporary mandate with an option for parents to opt-out, but only with a letter from a doctor. The rule goes into effect Thursday. LISTEN: Board members… Read more »
Florida Education Association warns that state has nearly 5,000 teaching vacancies
The Florida Education Association teachers’ union is warning that there are nearly 5,000 teaching vacancies in the state.
Pinellas parents rally for mandatory masks in schools as the delta variant continues to hospitalize children
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Parents and doctors rallied outside Pinellas County School’s district office today (Monday) to plead for mask mandates in schools. The call comes after the Friday release of new rules for mitigating COVID-19 in school sent mixed signals to parents and educators alike. Listen: Seventh-grader Liam Oliver wants… Read more »
Mask mandates OK in Florida schools with opt-out system, despite threats from governor
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Florida Department of Health released new rules for COVID-19 mitigation in schools Friday. The rules say school districts can mandate mask-wearing if they offer an opt-out program. The rules were announced exactly one week after Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to withhold money from districts mandating masks…. Read more »
Hillsborough School board member questions DeSantis’ ruling on masks
In the midst of a Covid surge among young people, Gov. Ron DeSantis banned mask mandates in schools, threatening to withhold crucial funding from school districts whose boards defy him. Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn talks about the latest move by state lawmakers to block local officials from governing the communities that elected them.
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Bipartisan bills address environment, education, robocalls and more
Florida lawmakers introduced more than 3,000 bills in the 2021 legislative sessions, with about 8 percent of them being signed into law. Among them were bills with robust support from both Republican and Democrats. These include everything from making improvements to early education to protecting the environment and putting restrictions on telephone solicitations. State Rep…. Read more »
In emergency meeting, Hillsborough School Board overturns its decision not to renew charter school contracts
Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn speaks about local control pressure from the state of Florida. Plus we hear a St. Pete City Council District 8 candidate forum.
A Tampa teacher hit an elementary school student with a desk and their principal tried to cover it up
A school advocacy group is calling for more action after it found a teacher at a Tampa elementary school hit a student with a desk and the principal tried to cover it up. The group Teaching for the Culture is calling for more oversight and accountability in the District’s Office of Professional Standards. LISTEN: Bianca… Read more »
College ideology survey is “frightening,” “devastating”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last month signed into law a bill that would require state universities to conduct an annual assessment of “viewpoint diversity” by surveying students and faculty. Ray Arusenault, emeritus professor of American history and civil rights at USF St. Pete and chair of the Pinellas Chapter of the ACLU, calls that bill… Read more »
DeSantis signs trans girls sports ban on first day of LGBTQ Pride month, protests and legal challenges swiftly follow
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial bill banning transgender girls from Florida school sports into law Tuesday, the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. Protests and promises of legal challenges swiftly followed the signing. LISTEN: The section of SB 1028 banning trans girls from sports was added to the bill at the last possible moment… Read more »
LATEST NEWS
Immigrants assert their humanity as new law fuels anxiety around deportation
St. Petersburg fourth grader wins Florida ‘Doodle for Google’ contest
LatinX – Linda Costa interview with Casa de Caba, out of Manaus, Amazonas
Tropical disturbance in the Gulf will keep organizing and impacting Florida into this weekend
The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Thursday, June 1st, 2023
UPDATE: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a law that renames a Hernando County road for Rush Limbaugh
