In response to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization,” a lawsuit was filed by the CAIR-Foundation and CAIR-Florida. The lawsuit seeks to have the order declared unlawful and unconstitutional, arguing that DeSantis overstepped the federal government’s authority in identifying terrorist organizations. CAIR claims that the order was issued because of the organization’s defense of free speech rights related to Palestinian human rights. DeSantis’s order, which also targeted the Muslim Brotherhood, would prohibit state agencies from providing contracts, employment, and funds to these groups.
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In response to Florida’s ban on Pride-themed crosswalks, St. Petersburg has installed eleven new Pride-themed bike racks. The city’s mayor and community members celebrated the move as a vibrant way to honor the previously removed murals. This action follows a state order, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, citing concerns about driver distractions and mandating the removal of pavement art. Despite these state directives, the city of St. Petersburg has demonstrated their continued support for the LGBTQ+ community and progressive values.
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Following a protest at a crosswalk memorializing the Pulse nightclub shooting victims, a Florida judge dismissed the case against a man arrested for defacing a traffic device. The arrest occurred after the individual used chalk to create footprints on the crosswalk, which has become a point of contention amid political tensions. The crosswalk has been targeted by the Florida Department of Transportation, which is controlled by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has painted over the rainbow-colored memorial, citing new regulations banning “non-standard surface markings.” The man’s attorney stated the arrest was the first of its kind in this political fight against the LGBTQ community.
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Florida is set to close the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility after a federal judge’s ruling, despite a $245 million investment. The facility, constructed at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, was intended to support the Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement. However, legal challenges, particularly from environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, led to its closure within 60 days. The facility’s closure would be a setback for Governor DeSantis and the Trump administration, potentially increasing pressure on existing detention facilities.
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Ron DeSantis paints over Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk in the dead of night. When someone chooses to perform an action in secret, under the cover of darkness, it often speaks volumes about their intentions. It suggests a lack of courage and a sense that the act itself is unpopular, something they wouldn’t dare do in the light of day. And that’s exactly what happened with the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk in Orlando. DeSantis himself made it clear this was intentional. It wasn’t a matter of misinterpretation. It was a deliberate act, and the reason given, that it was “political,” is, frankly, a flimsy justification for erasing a memorial to 49 people murdered in a hate crime.… Continue reading
Following the removal of a rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse Memorial site in Orlando, Florida, local residents have taken matters into their own hands. In a direct challenge to Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions, community members were captured on video repainting the crosswalk themselves. The original crosswalk, designed to honor the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was removed overnight, prompting outrage. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed his devastation at the removal, calling it a “cruel political act.”
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The Florida legislature is considering a controversial bill, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, that would permit 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts. This legislation also eliminates certain work restrictions for homeschooled teens and meal break requirements for older minors. Critics express concerns that the bill could negatively impact children’s health, education, and safety. Moreover, the rise in child labor violations in recent years further fuels anxieties about the potential consequences of expanding work opportunities for young people.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly called for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, diverging from the handling by the Trump administration. DeSantis advocates for transparency and the pursuit of justice, believing that others were involved in Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes. He previously signed a bill to release grand jury documents related to Epstein’s 2006 case. This stance comes amid growing scrutiny of Trump’s administration’s handling of the files, with both Democrats and some Republicans also demanding their release.
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Governor Ron DeSantis has called for the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing the need for transparency due to the belief that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were not acting alone. These remarks come amid criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case, which has sparked calls for openness. Furthermore, last week the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a lewd letter to Epstein, which prompted Trump to file a $10 billion lawsuit against the Journal. DeSantis had previously signed legislation authorizing the public release of grand jury documents, reflecting his commitment to transparency regarding the case.
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Florida Representative Joe Casello has passed away at the age of 73 following a heart attack while in office. The Democratic lawmaker, who represented a district in Boynton Beach since 2018, was surrounded by family at the time of his death. Prior to his time in the Florida House, Casello served as a firefighter in Massachusetts and a Boynton Beach city commissioner. A special election will be held to fill the vacancy left by his passing.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood