Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida The Florida House of Representatives has rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments to cut property taxes, while looking to shield funding for schools and law enforcement.House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, outlined the menu of proposals, which came as Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a top priority of asking…
Dara KamNews Service of Florida An appeals-court panel on Thursday grilled attorneys about a new state law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida, questioning whether enforcement and oversight of such issues should be left to the federal government.The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the law during a February special session aimed at helping…
Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida As an increasing number of Florida food-stamp recipients will have to meet work requirements to remain eligible, the state faces a potential hefty bill from the federal government for the program.Currently, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits — commonly known as food stamps — distributed by the state are…
Senate Bill 180, which became effective in June and restricts local governments’ ability to adopt stricter land-use and development regulations. Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service At its regularly scheduled Oct. 7 board meeting, the Gadsden County Commission discussed how to respond to SB 180, which became effective in June and restricts local governments’ ability to…
Dara KamNews Service of Florida An appeals-court panel on Thursday grilled attorneys about a new state law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida, questioning whether enforcement and oversight of such issues should be left to the federal government.The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the law during a February special session aimed at helping…
Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service On Sept. 30, the Gadsden County Commission approved the 9.0 millage rate tentatively adopted at its first budget hearing on Sept. 15. The 3-1 vote in favor of keeping the mill rate the same came in spite of significant public pressure to approve the rollback rate of 8.6383.Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins…
Jim SaundersNews Service of Florida Pointing to laws allowing use of medical marijuana and hemp, a state appeals court Wednesday reversed course and said police officers can’t search vehicles only on the basis of smelling cannabis.The 2nd District Court of Appeal’s main opinion said that for “generations, cannabis was illegal in all forms — thereby…
Fabrizio GowdyGadsden County News Service The Havana Town Council adopted a $15.2 million budget and a millage rate of 3.0000 at its final public hearing Monday. The meeting was lightly attended and lasted just eight minutes. No citizens to be heard came forward during public comment. The council’s decision not to approve the rollback rate…
Staff ReportGadsden County News Service The Gadsden County Veteran Service Office will be closed on Monday, October 6, 2025, through Friday, October 10, 2025, for training, which will be given by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. The office will reopen on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8 a.m. If you have an appointment at…
Dara KamNews Service of Florida Bullet-proof vests, AI-assisted translation software and license-plate readers are on a wish-list of items sheriffs are seeking through a $250 million state grant program aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement.The types of equipment, along with money for overtime, bonuses, vans and restraints, are included in a list of grant requests the…
