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Staff ReportsSeptember 29, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Friday that Puerto Rican students displaced by Hurricane Maria will be able to get free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. That’s “in response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico and in preparation for an influx of evacuees,” Putnam’s office said in a release. Since 2012, the Florida […]

Scott PowersSeptember 29, 2017

Airbnb, the nation’s largest vacation rental home marketing business, announced Friday it is extending its Disaster Response Program two more weeks in Florida to help with displaced evacuees and relief workers from Hurricane Irma and evacuees from Hurricane Maria. The company and a few of its host properties have agreed to offer rent-free stays for […]

Scott PowersSeptember 29, 2017

The situation in Hurricane Maria-ravaged Puerto Rico is so bleak that the military response needs to shift from talk to all-out action today or “drastic measures” will have to be taken, Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson declared in Orlando Wednesday. “This is a disaster of gargantuan proportions,” Nelson said. Speaking at the Acacia Puerto […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2017

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A Tallahassee judge on Thursday set the first hearing in the lawsuit lodged by the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills against the state. Circuit Judge Jim Shelfer scheduled the hearing for 9 a.m. on Oct. 27 in the Leon County Courthouse, court records show. The nursing home sued the Agency for Health Care Administration last […]

Scott PowersSeptember 28, 2017

After flying to Puerto Rico, visiting the ports, and touring some of the island by air, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday evening that Florida is ready and in good position to help, though many of Puerto Rico’s challenges are distinct from Florida’s experiences, being an island with limited roads, many washed out from Hurricane Maria’s […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 28, 2017

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There’s a serious logistics problem in Puerto Rico right now, and Marco Rubio says the only ones who can break through effectively is the U.S. military. Florida’s junior U.S. senator says that a significant number of containers are sitting at the Port of San Juan have not been transported to other parts of the island, because of a […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 28, 2017

As Rahm Emanuel once said: “Never let a serious crisis go to waste.” Bill Nelson may be taking that advice to heart. This week, Florida’s senior U.S. Senator sent out a fundraising email featuring Hurricane Irma, the Category 3 storm that devastated much of Nelson’s own state. “As Irma approached, I quickly called on the […]

Scott PowersSeptember 28, 2017

Speaking to the Florida Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Florida’s U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio expressed confidence that the Senate will pass President Donald Trump‘s tax reform plan but also expressed concern about the details. Appearing by Skype at the chamber’s Future of Florida Forum luncheon in Orlando Thursday, Rubio raised concerns about the bill coming in […]

Scott PowersSeptember 28, 2017

Enterprise Florida President Pete Antonacci said Thursday that pursuit of a new east coast headquarters planned by Amazon is his organization’s top priority right now, as the state’s economic development corporation coordinates bids from at least four different Sunshine State cities and encourages them to emphasize tax giveaway incentives. Speaking to the Florida Chamber of […]

Associated PressSeptember 28, 2017

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Lawyers for an Alaska man charged with killing five people and wounding six in a Florida airport mass shooting say he remains mentally fit to proceed in the case. A status hearing is set Thursday in Miami federal court for 27-year-old Esteban Santiago of Anchorage, Alaska, who’s being treated for schizophrenia. His lawyers say in […]

Headlines

Incoming Puerto Rican students eligible for free school meals

Airbnb extends disaster response for Hurricanes Irma, Maria

Bill Nelson: Puerto Rico response must ramp up now or drastic measures coming

Nursing home lawsuit set for first hearing

Rick Scott says Florida is willing and in good shape to help Puerto Rico

Marco Rubio calls on Defense Department to ramp up Puerto Rico response

Republicans question Bill Nelson over fundraising from Hurricane Irma

Marco Rubio expresses optimism in tax reform bill

Pete Antonacci: Amazon proposals to be as ‘incentive-bearing’ as possible

Lawyers: Florida airport shooting suspect still mentally fit