Florida

2024 - 7 - 11

Florida's 'Free State' Welcome Signs Spark Controversy and Excitement

Conservation - Education reforms - Florida - Florida Department of Transportation - Governor Ron DeSantis

Discover the buzz around Florida's new 'Free State of Florida' welcome signs and the reactions they're causing!

Florida is making headlines with its recent announcement of the 'Free State of Florida' being displayed on all welcome signs, signaling a bold move by the state. Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner Wilton Simpson have been at the forefront of this initiative, emphasizing the state's identity. However, experts express concerns about the impact on the Florida scrub jay's habitat, highlighting the balance between development and conservation efforts.

In a surprising twist, Lt. Gov. Nuñez invokes the 'right to life' in supporting the 'Free State of Florida,' bringing attention to the political undertones of the campaign. Additionally, the implementation of a uniform juvenile corrections education system aims to promote equity and educational opportunities among students in Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice programs.

On a lighter note, new state line signs welcoming drivers to the 'Free State of Florida' are creating a buzz. These signs, placed on major roadways, usher travelers into the Sunshine State with a unique message. Florida's emphasis on fiscal freedoms is evident, positioning the state notably in national rankings.

Further adding to Florida's accolades, Florida State University is recognized as the 'Best Value' public university in the state, solidifying its reputation in higher education.

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Image courtesy of "WTXL ABC 27"

Florida announces “Free State of Florida” placed on all welcome signs (WTXL ABC 27)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — In a news release issued July 9, the Florida Department of Transportation said, "the 'Free State of Florida' has been placed on ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services"

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preservation of Florida ... (Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of a Florida family farm through the Florida ...

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Image courtesy of "Tallahassee.com"

Gov. Ron DeSantis welcomes drivers to 'Free State of Florida' on ... (Tallahassee.com)

Drivers coming into the Sunshine State will now be welcomed to the "Free State of Florida."

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Image courtesy of "WFTV Orlando"

See Florida's new welcome sign (WFTV Orlando)

The Florida Department of Transportation announced that the "Free State of Florida" will be displayed on all welcome signs when visitors enter the state.

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Image courtesy of "WLRN"

Experts are concerned the Florida scrub jay is not getting the ... (WLRN)

Conservationists are concerned not enough is being done to protect its habitat. The scrub habitat is prime real estate for development. "All the citrus groves ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida Phoenix"

Lt. Gov. Nuñez cites 'right to life' in defending 'Free State of Florida ... (Florida Phoenix)

DeSantis' newly formed political committee campaigning against the proposed state constitutional amendments on adult recreational cannabis and abortion rights ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida Phoenix"

A uniform juvenile corrections education system will promote equity ... (Florida Phoenix)

Students in every Department of Juvenile Justice residential commitment program in Florida will have the same educational opportunities with in-person ...

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Image courtesy of "The Florida Times-Union"

'Free State of Florida' signs now welcome drivers at state line. What ... (The Florida Times-Union)

The phrase has been a favorite of Gov. Ron DeSantis for years. The Florida Department of Transportation debuted new state line signs that say "Welcome to the.

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Image courtesy of "WIAT - CBS42.com"

New state line signs welcome drivers to 'Free State of Florida' (WIAT - CBS42.com)

Drivers traveling into Florida across state lines will now be treated with new signs.

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Image courtesy of "FOX 13 Tampa Bay"

'Free State of Florida' signs now welcome drivers to Sunshine State (FOX 13 Tampa Bay)

The signs have been placed on all welcome signs on major state roadways. Photo courtesy: FDOT. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue ...

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Image courtesy of "WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando"

These are the states with the most 'freedom.' Here's where Florida ... (WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando)

Florida ranks highest in fiscal freedoms, though it lags in other areas · FISCAL: “Decentralize taxing and spending powers from counties to municipalities and ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida State News"

FSU named 'Best Value' public university in Florida, No. 16 in the ... (Florida State News)

Florida State University is the top-ranked Best Value public college in Florida, according to The Princeton Review's 2024 Best Value Colleges list.

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Image courtesy of "WBOY.com"

New state line signs welcome drivers to 'Free State of Florida' (WBOY.com)

WFLA reached out to the Department of Transportation asking how many signs were replaced and what the total cost was for the replacements and has not yet ...

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Image courtesy of "Tampa Bay Times"

Trial to start in case over whether Florida improperly cut off Medicaid ... (Tampa Bay Times)

The case is being brought by Floridians who say the state didn't offer them a fair chance to prove they were still eligible before their coverage was ...

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Image courtesy of "Miami Herald"

Trial begins in case to force Florida to reinstate Medicaid patients ... (Miami Herald)

A trial with sweeping implications for Florida's government healthcare system is set to begin Thursday in a federal, class-action lawsuit filed by Medicaid ...

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Image courtesy of "KXAN.com"

New disturbance pops up near Florida's east coast (KXAN.com)

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a new tropical disturbance that popped up near Florida's east coast on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando"

New system highlighted off Florida coast expected to increase rain ... (WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando)

While activity across much of the tropics remains limited, the National Hurricane Center has highlighted a broad low-pressure system off the southeast coast ...

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Image courtesy of "The News-Press"

National Hurricane Center tracking system off Florida coast. Will it ... (The News-Press)

The tropical disturbance off Florida has a low chance for development before it moves inland over the southeastern U.S. by the weekend.

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Image courtesy of "Naples Daily News"

Smithsonian Magazine chose this Florida highway one of the most ... (Naples Daily News)

The Smithsonian picked seven of "the most beautiful road in the United States" in May and one of those highways is in Florida.

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Image courtesy of "WESH Orlando"

National Hurricane Center continues to monitor disturbance off ... (WESH Orlando)

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance near Florida's coast. Will the disturbance form any more? What is the tropics forecast in Florida?

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Image courtesy of "WFTV Orlando"

Low-pressure area near Florida shows flare-up activity as chance of ... (WFTV Orlando)

Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring an area of low pressure off the coast of Florida.

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Image courtesy of "WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando"

Disturbance watched by hurricane center to increase rain chances ... (WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando)

An area of disturbed weather off the east coast of Florida is expected to increase rain chances.

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Image courtesy of "Fox 4"

FORECAST: Disturbance off the east coast of Florida being monitored (Fox 4)

Cloudy skies continue today before rain chances pick up over the next few days bringing storms afternoons back into the forecast.

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Image courtesy of "Tampa Bay Times"

Florida schools seek to enhance security measures (Tampa Bay Times)

Several Florida school districts are taking steps to enhance their safety and security measures. Among the steps being taken: • Deputies from the Clay County ...

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Image courtesy of "Florida Phoenix"

New College of Florida tears up nature preserve, claims it's an ... (Florida Phoenix)

... claims it's an improvement. Neighbors and alumni are outraged but President Richard Corcoran pushes on with his expansion of sports facilities ...

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Image courtesy of "WRBL"

New disturbance pops up near Florida's east coast (WRBL)

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a new tropical disturbance that popped up near Florida's east coast on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "The News-Press"

National Hurricane Center tracking system off Florida coast. See ... (The News-Press)

National Hurricane Center tracking system off Florida coast. See who may feel impact and when ... An area of low pressure off the coast of Florida still has a low ...

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Image courtesy of "FOX Weather"

Bryan Norcross: Tropic stay calm as a weak disturbance off North ... (FOX Weather)

The Tropical Disturbance offshore of Jacksonville is a weak area of low pressure under hostile upper winds and surrounded by dry air.

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Image courtesy of "NBC2 News"

Disturbance off Florida's East Coast has 10% chance for development (NBC2 News)

The NBC 2 Hurricane Tracking Team is monitoring a broad area of low pressure off Florida's East Coast.

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Image courtesy of "Sarasota Herald-Tribune"

Hurricanes are known threat in Florida, but these natural disasters ... (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

89 confirmed weather-climate disasters reported in Florida from 1980 to 2024 · Severe storms: 32 · Tropical cyclones: 32 · Drought: 7 · Flooding: 5 · Freeze: 5 ...

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Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Florida Under Fire After Kicking 1.8 Million People Off Medicaid (Newsweek)

Medicaid patients filed a class action lawsuit against the state accusing the government of violating their constitutional rights.

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Image courtesy of "Tampa Bay Times"

Hurricane center watches system off Florida coast as rain chances ... (Tampa Bay Times)

The chance of rain today and through the weekend is about 60%. The system has a low chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone.

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Image courtesy of "WUFT"

Tropical disturbance brews east of Florida, stationary front to the north (WUFT)

A tropical disturbance with a low chance to develop to our east, and a stationary front bring higher storm chances in the coming days.

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Image courtesy of "Tallahassee.com"

Federal judge allows teachers' lawsuit to continue against Florida ... (Tallahassee.com)

A federal judge is allowing a legal challenge to continue against a Florida law that prevents certain teachers from using their preferred pronouns.

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Image courtesy of "CBS Miami"

Challenge to Florida teacher pronoun law gets go-ahead (CBS Miami)

A federal judge this week refused to toss out a lawsuit challenging a controversial Florida law, saying plaintiffs "plausibly" alleged the law violates ...

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Image courtesy of "WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando"

Florida removes digital driver's license app. Here's why (WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida's relatively new digital identification application is apparently being scrapped while state leaders look to find a new app ...

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Image courtesy of "Tampa Bay Times"

Florida pulls digital driver's license from app stores without explanation (Tampa Bay Times)

TALLAHASSEE — After spending $1.5 million on development and two years since its launch, the state has pulled its digital driver's license application from ...

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Image courtesy of "The Verge"

Florida's digital ID app has suddenly disappeared (The Verge)

Florida has shut down its smart ID app and the state has informed users it hopes to have a new app ready by 2025, without explaining what happened to the ...

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Image courtesy of "WJXT News4JAX"

Florida's digital driver's license app no longer an option (WJXT News4JAX)

As of May, the Florida Smart ID app had just over half a million users. There are nearly 18 million licensed drivers in Florida. The project cost the state $2 ...

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Image courtesy of "Digital Trends"

Florida's Smart ID app won't be missed, but it will be replaced (Digital Trends)

The Florida Smart ID app was never very good, nor did it gain much traction. And now the state says it's going to try things again in 2025.

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Image courtesy of "PCMag.com"

Florida Pulls Its 'Smart ID' Digital Driver's License From App Stores (PCMag.com)

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says the app 'will be updated and improved by a new vendor,' but probably not until 2025.

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Image courtesy of "NBC 6 South Florida"

Florida Supreme Court disbars ex-Miami-Dade judge, citing 'pattern ... (NBC 6 South Florida)

Pointing to what it described as a “deliberate pattern of dishonesty,” the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday disbarred a former Miami-Dade County judge who.

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Image courtesy of "wflx"

Why Florida officials banned 2 hemp companies (wflx)

Florida's Department ...

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Image courtesy of "University of Florida"

UF Olympic Games news stories (University of Florida)

As one of the top universities for Olympic athletes and Olympic medals, the University of Florida is a leader in interdisciplinary research and experts on ...

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Historic Enforcement ... (Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services)

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Historic Enforcement Actions Against Hemp Companies for ...

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Image courtesy of "Science Friday"

Helping Queen Conchs Mate In The Florida Keys (Science Friday)

Rising temperatures shut down some conchs' impulse to reproduce. So scientists are ferrying them to colonies in deeper, cooler waters.

DOH-Hillsborough cautions about blue-green algae at Lake ... (Florida Department of Health)

Hillsborough County, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) is cautioning the public of the presence of ...

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Image courtesy of "WJXT News4JAX"

Florida is 4th worst state for reckless drivers, survey finds (WJXT News4JAX)

Florida ranks fourth in the country when it comes to reckless drivers, according to a new list from The Barnes Law Firm.

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Image courtesy of "Orlando Sentinel"

Florida pulls digital driver's license from app stores without explanation (Orlando Sentinel)

The move sidelines — at least for now — a troubled effort to bring Florida drivers licenses into the digital age. From the beginning, the app has been ...

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