NewsNight

This week on NewsNight, the Florida Board of Governors is set to take up a proposed rule implementing Florida's law that restricts diversity and social activism programs on public university campuses.

Orlando's City Council votes unanimously to spend $2 million to purchase the Pulse nightclub site. The panel discusses the Mayor's hope of turning it into a permanent memorial to the 49 victims of the 2016 shooting. Plus, Florida lawmakers will meet early next month for a special session to tighten state restrictions on Iran amid bipartisan support for Israel in Tallahassee.

This week on NewsNight, the debate over oil and gas drilling off the Florida coast enters the Republican presidential primary campaign. The panel discusses the state's position on fracking and efforts to implement a permanent federal ban in waters around Florida. Plus, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers restoring endangered status for manatees.

Florida's Jewish Community responds to the outbreak of war in the Middle East as state leaders propose more restrictions on Iranian businesses, and Orange County commissioners vote to approve nearly $800 million in Tourist Development Tax funding despite revenue concerns. We'll discuss the winners & losers, and the debate as to whether the state should allow more diverse uses for bed tax revenues.

As the Florida House Speaker-designate spells out his vision for limited government, the panel discusses the future balance of power in Tallahassee amid the Governor's presidential bid. Plus, as the issue of felon voting rights heats up around the country ahead of the 2024 election, NewsNight looks at the fight between Florida's rights restoration advocates and state leaders.

As Brightline begins services between Orlando International Airport and Miami, NewsNighttakes an in-depth look at the future of intercity passenger rail in Florida and the United States. Plus, Disney says it will nearly double its capital expenditure on its parks over the next 10 years as the company's CEO pledges to "quiet the noise" in its clash with Governor Ron DeSantis.

NewsNight looks at the DeSantis administration's decision to advise against new Covid vaccinations for people under 65. Plus, transgender students react to the Florida State Board of Education's new rules implementing a recent law that requires staff and students in K-12 and higher education institutions to use bathrooms matching their sex assigned at birth.

This week on NewsNight, the Florida Supreme Court takes up a challenge to a 15-week abortion ban in a case that will decide the future of access to the procedure in the state. And the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season sparks a renewed political debate over the role of climate change in the severity and frequency of storms that hit Florida.

A look at the threat of violent extremism in Florida following the killing of three Black people by a White gunman in a recent shooting in Jacksonville that the Justice Department is investigating as a racially motivated hate crime. Plus, voting rights groups looking to reinstate a Black-access congressional district in North Florida take their case to court.

Meteorologists say warm water in the Gulf of Mexico is fueling storm threats as the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season reaches its peak. A look at the impacts of Idalia less than a year after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of the state. Plus, should Orange County spend hundreds of millions of dollars of tourism development tax revenues on improvements to the Convention Center and Camping World Stadium?