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Staff ReportsMay 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott announced several judicial appointments late Monday. — Stephen Pitre to the 1st Judicial Circuit Pitre, 46, of Gulf Breeze, is a shareholder at Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond, & Stackhouse, P.A. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 1st Judicial Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State […]

Staff ReportsMay 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott ordered flags at half-staff in Florida, in solidarity with Texas as it mourns 10 dead there after another high school shooting spree. “My wife, Ann, and I are devastated to learn of the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas,” he said in a statement. “I spoke to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2018

The National Rifle Association is appealing a federal judge’s ruling against shielding a plaintiff’s name in its litigation against the state’s new school safety and mental health law. The NRA filed a notice of appeal Thursday to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, court dockets show. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker earlier this week turned down the […]

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2018

It’s now up to a Tallahassee judge whether the Legislature overstepped when it outlawed the smoking of medical marijuana. Attorneys for the state and patients who want to smoke the drug squared off in a Leon County courtroom Wednesday before Circuit Judge Karen Gievers. She didn’t immediately rule after the close of evidence, but could issue a decision […]

Staff ReportsMay 14, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags at half-staff Tuesday to honor the Highlands County sheriff’s deputy killed on duty May 7. Deputy William J. Gentry Jr., 40, had served with the the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for nine years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Gentry was shot and killed “while responding to an animal […]

Jim RosicaMay 14, 2018

A federal judge has denied the National Rifle Association‘s request to shield a plaintiff’s name in litigation against the state’s new school safety and mental health law. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Sunday turned down the NRA’s request to use a “Jane Doe” pseudonym for the 19-year-old Alachua County woman, portrayed in court documents as seeking […]

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2018

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is telling the state’s top financial regulator he “no longer ha(s) confidence” in Drew Breakspear‘s ability to lead the Office of Financial Regulation. Patronis, a Panama City Republican running for re-election this year, sent a letter to Breakspear on Thursday. “Over the last 10 months, I have developed concerns over the lack of cooperation, […]

Jim RosicaMay 2, 2018

Senate President Joe Negron tendered his resignation from elected office to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday, to be effective Nov. 6, “the same day his term as Senate President ends.” Despite his current and final term not ending till 2020, Negron had telegraphed his decision his recent months in ‘exit interviews’ he gave to state […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2018

FDLE corruption inspector Damien Kelly has been named director of the state’s new Office of Safe Schools, Education Commissioner Pam Stuart announced. The office was created in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school safety act passed by lawmakers at the tail end of the 2018 Legislative Session. “We are thrilled for Special Agent Kelly to join our team,” Stuart said in a statement. […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has ruled that life insurance companies doing business in the state don’t have to track down beneficiaries under a 2016 law (SB 966) championed by former Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, in an order granting summary judgment for the plaintiffs filed April 20, said such a requirement can only […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Rick Scott names four to circuit, county benches

Flags at half-staff for Texas school shooting victims

NRA appeals judge’s decision against pseudonyms in Parkland lawsuit

Smoke ’em? Judge will decide on puffing medical marijuana

Flags ordered at half-staff for Highlands County deputy

Judge denies anonymity in NRA suit against gun law

Jimmy Patronis: ‘No confidence’ in state’s chief financial regulator

Joe Negron to leave Senate early

Personnel note: Damien Kelly named director of Office of Safe Schools

Judge sides with insurers in SB 966 lawsuit