The Scoop: WMNF’s Daily News Digest

LGBTQ+ inclusion Tampa and St. Petersburg recently scored perfect scores on the National Human Rights Campaign’s nationwide LGBTQ inclusion assessment. However, this comes as the HRC still deems Florida to be in a ‘state of emergency’ for its treatment of LGBTQ Floridians.   Amendment blocking reparations A Senate Republican yesterday filed a proposed constitutional amendment…

Death penalty changes in effect Florida judges and lawyers are grappling with what to do in the wake of the latest change to the state’s ever-evolving death penalty system. The Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a law such that the defense has to convince at least five jurors that a life sentence is appropriate…

Ceasefire approved Overnight, the Israeli Cabinet approved a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.   Calls to defund U.N. After the United Nations called for a ceasefire in Gaza, Governor Ron DeSantis called for the nation to defund the U.N.   Lawsuits against Florida Florida is facing a second lawsuit over its effort to disband pro-Palestinian student groups, claiming the…

Urban farming bill Rural areas are known for farming, but a new bill was filed by St. Petersburg legislators to promote urban farming.   Medicaid ineligibility Concerns over Medicaid ineligibility are growing in Florida as the state continues its redetermination process. Almost a quarter million children have been declared ineligible for Medicaid.   Voucher for…

Superintendents address education guidelines As Florida gained national attention for its sweeping legislation on K-12 Education, Tampa Bay superintendents spoke out on how they are tackling issues, including Florida’s controversial voucher program, in their respective counties.   New teacher’s union law Under a new Florida law, teacher’s unions that don’t collect dues from at least…

School threats A 16-year-old is facing charges after making school threats on the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Instagram page. The teen had claimed he would bomb every school in the county tomorrow. Deputies searched the home, finding no bomb-making materials.   Pedestrian deaths A pedestrian has died in Tampa after being hit by a car at…

Students could lose scholarships Senate and House Republicans in Tallahassee filed identical bills yesterday that could allow financial penalties for state university and college students backing what they say are “foreign terrorist” groups, such as Hamas. The bills would prevent students from being eligible for such things as state grants and financial aid tuition assistance. The…

Pink gives away banned books Pop singer Pink will give away 2,000 banned books at her upcoming Florida concerts. This comes as Florida recorded the highest number of book bans in the country last school year.   Obamacare open enrollment The Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace open enrollment period began November 1st and ends…