News Clips

Orlando Politics

Governor Ron DeSantis and FDEM Award $150.9 Million to Bay County and $20 Million to Mexico Beach for Hurricane Michael Recovery

Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has awarded $150.9 million to Bay County and $20 million to Mexico Beach to help the communities recover from the impact of Hurricane Michael. Specifically, these funds will reimburse Mexico Beach for ongoing debris removal efforts and Bay County for the removal of wet and vegetative debris. With today’s announcement, FDEM has now awarded more than $400 million to Northwest Florida as it recovers from Hurricane Michael. “On my very first full day in office I went to northwest Florida and made a commitment that this administration will not waver in its dedication to making sure this community completely rebuilds,” said Governor DeSantis.

Florida Politics

New poll shows support exists to (just barely) pass assault weapons ban

A constitutional amendment imposing a statewide assault weapons ban would narrowly pass, according to a new survey by St. Pete Polls. The poll, conducted from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9, asked 3,283 voters if they would support a state Constitutional Amendment that “would ban the possession of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition at once.” The survey found 61 percent of voters said yes, while just 34 percent said no. Another 6 percent remain unsure. Pollsters report a 1.7 percent margin of error on the survey. That’s significant here as Florida requires 60 percent of voters to support a Constitutional Amendment in a statewide vote before the measure gets enshrined in the constitution. With the poll showing support levels at 61 percent, the puts the potential amendment just past the threshold to pass, with the potential of falling just short.

Fox News

Florida begins arming teachers as large school districts rebuff controversial program

Teachers in seven Florida county school districts will soon be locked and loaded thanks to a state law enacted this month that provides schools with the option to allow teachers to carry concealed guns. The law expands on a safety measure known as the "guardian" program. The program was created in response to the February 2018 Parkland massacre but did not allow teachers to carry guns, in part due to the recommendation of former Gov. Rick Scott. Under the original law, guardians were either non-instructional personnel who volunteered, or employees--such as school resource officers-- hired specifically to protect students.