Metro | Politics

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘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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METRO  |  POLITICS

Gainesville residents, organizations fight GRU bill

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 8

The law went into effect July 1. It establishes the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority, a board made up of five governor-appointed members to oversee GRU in place of its general manager. The board took over Oct.1.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Anti-corporal punishment bill finds Florida House sponsor, co-sponsor

By Zoey Thomas | Dec. 5

On Nov. 13, Rep. Katherine Waldron (D-District 39) filed a House bill that would ban corporal punishment for students with disabilities in Florida public K-12 schools and require parental consent in all cases. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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

By Zoey Thomas | Dec. 4

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.

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Fact-checking DeSantis’ recent claims

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 13, 2023

During his presidential run, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made many claims during stump speeches and debates. He has covered topics like his state’s financial stability, academic freedom and gender ideology. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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.

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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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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METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

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.