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Monday, May 06, 2024

Metro | Politics

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘It has turned back the clock’: Florida Democrats fear approaching six-week abortion ban

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 22

The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban April 1, concluding the years-long legal challenge and instituting a new six-week ban. On the same day, the court also approved an opposing state constitutional amendment to appear on the November general election ballot, leaving the fate of abortion access in the hands of Florida voters. 

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Approval of Florida recreational marijuana ballot initiative draws mixed opinions from state residents

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Apr. 8

The Florida Supreme Court approved Amendment 3 to appear on the November general election ballot April 1, an initiative that would authorize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and over if approved by 60% of Florida voters. Statewide advocacy groups along with local residents, students and businesses expressed varying opinions on the potential amendment to the Florida constitution. 

Sign displayed at Madison Street Baptist Church in Starke, Fla. during presidential primary elections on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Alachua County primary election season reflects low voter turnout, lack of faith among Republicans

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp and Diego Perdomo | Mar. 25

Alachua County Republican presidential preference primary voter turnout displays an overall decline since 2004, falling below the 2024 state average turnout of approximately 21.2%.  As state ballot counts are finalized, the 17 remaining presidential preference primaries will take place nationally spanning the end of March through the beginning of August. The chosen Democratic and Republican candidates will be finalized prior to the November general presidential election.

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Alachua County residents prepare for presidential primaries, discuss low turnout rates

By Nicole Beltran | Mar. 18

This election season reminds Alachua County residents to inform themselves about new legislation and be mindful of deadlines. Turnout for primaries tends to be lower because citizens may not participate as often as the general elections due to a lack of knowledge on the candidacy, policies and importance of their vote. The process can also be overwhelming, eliciting fear rather than advocacy. 

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Biden v. Trump: A local examination of the presidential ‘lesser of two evils’ debate

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Mar. 18

In light of the quickly approaching election season, UF students, professors and Gainesville residents have begun examining the impacts of political polarization and weighing the most likely presidential candidates to emerge from the primaries: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.  Florida’s primary election is slated for March 19, with 22 others remaining nationwide before the finalization of which Republican and Democrat candidates will advance to the November general election. 

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida education reform initiatives limit African American studies, DEI funds

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 12

Various education reform bills have altered curriculum and cut funding to certain programs in public K-12 schools and universities since the beginning of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. The initiatives have targeted a wide variety of subject matter including diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as all critical theory, a blanket term that encompasses the idea of critical race theory.  The passage of new legislation, both in support and opposition of past initiatives, faces the state legislature in 2024. 

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida bill could lower the bar for defamation lawsuits against media organizations

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Feb. 5

House Bill 757 titled “Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likeness” seeks to lower the bar for public figures filing these lawsuits. Proposed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, the initiative would widen the scope of actual malice, work to discredit anonymous sources, limit the use of artificial intelligence, establish 60-day veracity hearings and authorize venue expansion. 

METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

Florida university faculty, students share mixed opinions on 2024 legislative session academic freedom bills

By Diego Perdomo | Jan. 22

As the legislative session ramps up, newly proposed bills that could alter the higher education landscape have faculty and students bracing themselves after last year’s education regulations.  Following the state’s 2023 move to defund public universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the Florida State Board of Education prohibited the usage of public funds for DEI programs in Florida’s 28 public state colleges, according to a Florida Department of Education news release Jan. 17.

Drag queen Elena La Fuega performs at University Club on Saturday Dec. 2, 2023.
METRO  |  POLITICS ENTERPRISE

‘It’s a start’: Gainesville drag community celebrates temporary lift on Florida ban of children at shows

By Zoey Thomas | Dec. 4

On Nov. 16, the United States Supreme Court refused the state of Florida’s request to re-enact a law punishing businesses for allowing children into drag shows. Artists like Garrepy are taking the opportunity to celebrate the rare legal victory, which follows a flurry of Florida anti-LGBTQ laws passed over recent legislative terms.

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