Metro | Politics Enterprise - The Independent Florida Alligator

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Florida bill could lower the bar for defamation lawsuits against media organizations

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 5

House Bill 757 titled “Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likeness” seeks to lower the bar for public figures filing these lawsuits. Proposed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, the initiative would widen the scope of actual malice, work to discredit anonymous sources, limit the use of artificial intelligence, establish 60-day veracity hearings and authorize venue expansion.

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Florida university faculty, students share mixed opinions on 2024 legislative session academic freedom bills

By Diego Perdomo | Jan. 22

As the legislative session ramps up, newly proposed bills that could alter the higher education landscape have faculty and students bracing themselves after last year’s education regulations. Following the state’s 2023 move to defund public universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the Florida State Board of Education prohibited the usage of public funds for DEI programs in Florida’s 28 public state colleges, according to a Florida Department of Education news release Jan. 17.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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DeSantis suspends presidential campaign, endorses former President Donald Trump

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 21

Faced with the upcoming 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina will compete head-to-head for the Republican nomination.

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‘Stay the course’: DeSantis delivers 2024 State of the State address

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 9

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered the State of the State address Tuesday, Jan. 9. A joint session of the Florida legislature received his remarks in the House of Representatives Chamber.

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Local activists, politicians and community members discuss prospective bills for Florida’s 2024 legislative session

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Jan. 8

The 2024 Florida regular legislative session begins Jan. 9 with over 1,000 bills filed. The proposed legislation has sparked discussions on a wide range of issues including abortion access, firearm regulations, education reform, environmental protection, insurance rates and hurricane relief.

Drag queen Elena La Fuega performs at University Club on Saturday Dec. 2, 2023.

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‘It’s a start’: Gainesville drag community celebrates temporary lift on Florida ban of children at shows

By Zoey Thomas | Dec. 4, 2023

On Nov. 16, the United States Supreme Court refused the state of Florida’s request to re-enact a law punishing businesses for allowing children into drag shows. Artists like Garrepy are taking the opportunity to celebrate the rare legal victory, which follows a flurry of Florida anti-LGBTQ laws passed over recent legislative terms.

An attendee of UF SJP’s discussion in Turlington wearing a Palestine keffiyeh neck scarf on Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.

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UF pro-Palestine organization remains active despite DeSantis’ termination order

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13, 2023

Florida chapters of the pro-Palestine organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, have not been deactivated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, despite the order released by State University System’s chancellor Ray Rodrigues more than three weeks ago.

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Special legislative session emphasizes Florida lawmakers’ support for Israel

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 13, 2023

Roughly one month after Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee for a special session focused on showing support for Israel in its war against the Palestinian militant group.

Bread and Roses Women’s Health Center on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

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Petition to limit protests on Gainesville abortion clinic’s sidewalk reaches 700 signatures

By Zoey Thomas | Nov. 13, 2023

Andrew Scholberg has been arrested 13 times. But that doesn’t deter the 71-year-old freelance writer and pro-life activist from continuing the work he’s been doing for almost 50 years — standing outside abortion clinics to pray and offer alternatives to women entering the building. A MoveOn petition created Nov. 2 asks the Gainesville City Commission to deter abortion critics like Scholberg from gathering outside Bread & Roses, one of Gainesville’s two abortion clinics. The petition, which gathered over 700 signatures in the week and a half since its creation, encourages signers to ask the commission for “No Loitering or Solicitation” signs along Northwest 10th Avenue.

A crowd of 150 pro-Palestinian protestors stand in the middle of the intersection chanting in unison for an end to the siege of Gaza Saturday, November 4, 2023.

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Pro-Palestinian groups march downtown to call for ceasefire

By Zoey Thomas | Nov. 5, 2023

Car horns blared at South First Avenue and South Main Street Saturday afternoon, when oncoming traffic found the road blocked by a crowd of 150 pro-Palestinian protestors standing in the middle of the intersection. Of the crowd, some carried roses, while others carried children on their shoulders — all chanting in unison for an end to the siege of Gaza.

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DeSantis administration demands deactivation of pro-Palestinian university student chapters

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 24, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Ray Rodrigues ordered Florida universities to deactivate two state chapters of a national pro-Palestinian organization Tuesday, claiming the organizations show support for "Hamas terrorism."

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Jewish UF students show support for Palestinians

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 23, 2023

Since the violence began two weeks ago, Clay Robinson said Palestinian and anti-Zionist voices have been largely neglected. Zionism is the Israeli national ideology that Judaism is both a nationality and religion and that Israel is an ancestral land that exists for the Jewish community.

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UF student group fights corporal punishment in K-12 public schools

By Zoey Thomas | Oct. 23, 2023

Six students from UF Florida Student Policy Forum visited Tallahassee Oct. 18 during the legislature’s interim committee weeks to advocate an amendment to the state statute that would ban corporal punishment for students with disabilities and require parental consent for use of corporal punishment in all cases.

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Alachua County Hispanic voters bring varying political perspectives

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 25, 2023

In Alachua County, the Hispanic community brings a variety of perspectives and beliefs to the importance of voting and political issues.

Brandon Ludwig addresses the audience at the Young Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 2023.

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UF conservative voices persist among Gen Z

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 18, 2023

Younger generations tend to lean more politically liberal. Conservative voices share their experiences as Republicans in Gen Z.

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Abortion care providers, advocates navigate statewide restrictions

By Valentina Sandoval | Sep. 18, 2023

The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Sept. 8 for the landmark case Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida v. State of Florida, which challenges the 15-week ban on abortion in Florida’s House Bill 5. Local and statewide reproductive health providers and advocacy organizations are leading efforts to offer women abortion care resources in the face of uncertainty.

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Hamilton Center hosts political thinkers for event

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 15, 2023

The public event ‘Truth-Seeking and Democracy’ was co-sponsored by the African American Studies Program and Bob Graham Center for Civil Service. The speakers, Cornel West and Robert George, are known for their close friendship and widely different political ideologies.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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DeSantis pauses presidential campaign for Hurricane Idalia

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 5, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his candidacy for president May 24, put his campaign on hold to focus on the storm’s impact on Florida. He held 16 press briefings or live-streamed updates throughout the week and issued mandatory evacuations for 46 counties, including Alachua, Levy and Citrus counties.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.

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President Joe Biden flies into Gainesville Airport

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 2, 2023

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at the Gainesville Regional Airport at around 1 p.m. Saturday to address damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

Republican U.S. Sen Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, applauds President Kent Fuchs at the Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

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Lawmakers reflect on UF President Ben Sasse’s strategic plan

By Sophia Bailly | Aug. 28, 2023

Florida legislators from both the majority and minority parties clarified that Sasse's proposals won’t have an immediate impact on the university.