NewsNight

Testing continues on rail track between Orlando and West Palm Beach as Brightline prepares to begin passenger services between OIA and South Florida within months. And State Attorney Monique Worrell announces charges against Pine Hills shooting suspect Keith Moses amid continuing tensions with the Governor’s office.

 As the Florida legislative session gets underway, the panel looks at some of the issues up for debate in Tallahassee including school choice, treatment for transgender minors, “woke ideology” in higher education, and permitless carry. Plus a look at the contentious relationship between Florida’s political leaders and the news media amid legislative proposals that would affect the press.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee are set to pass a bill that would offer incentives and remove restrictions to allow the development of affordable housing. But some critics worry it takes away the power of local governments and voters to impose rent controls during housing emergencies.

Ukrainians in Central Florida adjust to their lives in the United States as they reflect on the Russian invasion of their country one year on. Plus the College Board responds to the state’s rejection of a new AP African American Studies course. The panel discusses what might change in Florida which has one of the highest Advanced Placement course participation rates in the country. 

Increasingly powerful fentanyl-laced drugs remain the leading cause of overdose fatalities in Central Florida. But deaths from the synthetic opioid dipped slightly last year as local agencies distribute higher doses of the reversal drug naloxone. And Governor DeSantis, while criticizing anonymous source reporting, floats an idea make it easier to sue news organizations for defamation.

Indian River Lagoon to receive 20 million to restore water quality increasing sea grass for wildlife like manatees which need twice as much supplemental feeding compared to last year, new projected numbers about the space industry economic impact and governor announces initiative for covid anti mandate legislation. 

Universities Required to Report cost of diversity programs schools fear those programs will be cut, also athletic cardiograms provide insight to potential heart problems and United Faculty of Florida speak out about New College newly appointed board of trustees

The panel discusses the power the sheriff has over implementing new rules and policies at public schools. Starting this year there is an insulin price cap for those who have Medicare thanks to the inflation reduction act and panel discusses Orlando approving funds to help homeless displaced after hurricane Ian.

A move to reshape the board of a Florida liberal arts college signals a renewed effort by the DeSantis administration to transform the state’s higher education institutions and target diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Plus two members of Florida’s delegation are appointed to lead a Congressional panel on gun violence as legislators in Tallahassee mull a potential loosening of the state’s firearms laws.

The panel looks at the prominent role played by Florida’s Congressional Republicans in the battle to elect a Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. And the U.S. Supreme Court weights whether to take-up Florida’s Big Tech law which lower courts have ruled violates the First Amendment.