After calling the Russia-Ukraine war a 'territorial dispute,' DeSantis says Putin is a 'war criminal' and 'basically a gas station with a bunch of nuclear weapons'
When asked about his "territorial dispute" comment, DeSantis said his words were "mischaracterized" and that Russia was "wrong" to invade Ukraine.
news.yahoo.comDeSantis to expand 'Don't Say Gay' law to all grades
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ' administration is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call “Don't Say Gay” as the Republican governor continues a focus on cultural issues ahead of his expected presidential run. The proposal, which would not require legislative approval, is scheduled for a vote next month before the state Board of Education and has been put forth by state Education Department, both of which are led by appointees of the governor. The rule change would ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4 to 12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take.
news.yahoo.com'Don't Say Gay' lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud
The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. Harding resigned from the Florida House in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.
news.yahoo.comPHOTOS: Pro-Trump and anti-Trump protestors gather over possible indictment of former president
As we sit and wait to find out of former President Donald Trump will be arrested at some point over the next few days, pro-Trump and anti-Trump protestors have gathered around the country to let their voices be heard.
Saudi Arabia frees American imprisoned over critical tweets
Saudi Arabia on Monday freed an American citizen, a 72-year-old Florida retiree, it had imprisoned for more than a year over his old tweets critical of the kingdom’s crown prince, his son said. Neither Saudi nor U.S. officials immediately confirmed the release of Saad al Madi, a longtime Florida, resident. Madi on Monday night was at home with family members who live in Riyadh, said his son, Ibrahim al Madi, in the United States.
news.yahoo.comDeSantis criticizes N.Y. prosecutor while invoking Trump’s alleged ‘porn star hush money payments’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) took slight digs at Donald Trump amid talk — driven by the former president himself — that Trump expects to be indicted this week by a grand jury in New York.
washingtonpost.comSearch on for Florida boaters missing in lake near Legoland
Authorities searched Sunday for two boaters who were missing and believed drowned in an accident on a central Florida lake near the Legoland theme park. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference that the two men had jumped into Lake Eloise to save a third person from their group, a woman, who was struggling in the water. The third person, 38-year-old Velcky Velazques, was rescued by sheriff's deputies who had been summoned when a 10-year-old girl on the boat dialed 911 on a cellphone.
news.yahoo.comAstros' Jose Altuve has broken right thumb, needs surgery
Houston Astros star Jose Altuve has a broken right thumb and needs surgery after getting hurt in Venezuela’s 9-7 quarterfinal loss to the United States at the World Baseball Classic. The Astros said Sunday they will announce a prognosis for the second baseman after the operation. The ight-time All-Star and the 2017 American League MVP fell after he was struck by a 95.9 mph sinker from Colorado reliever Daniel Bard in the fifth inning Saturday night.
news.yahoo.comNew judge to oversee Trump grand jury investigations
A new judge is poised to assume oversight of grand jury investigations concerning former President Donald Trump, including the ongoing probe into classified documents found at his Florida estate. U.S. District Judge James “Jeb” Boasberg is being sworn in Friday as chief judge of the federal district court in Washington, D.C. That role will give Boasberg, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, oversight of grand jury matters as well as sealed disputes that have surfaced in probes involving Trump.
news.yahoo.comFarmworkers use Florida march to pressure other companies
Farmworkers were leading a five-day, 45-mile (72-kilometer) trek on foot this week from one of the poorest communities in Florida to a mansion-lined, oceanfront town that is one of the richest in an effort to pressure retailers to leverage their purchasing power for better worker pay and working conditions. The farmworkers said they were marching to highlight the Fair Food Program, which has enlisted companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, Taco Bell and Whole Foods to use their clout with growers to ensure better working conditions and wages for farmworkers.
news.yahoo.com3 GOP states pull out of effort to thwart voter fraud
Election officials in Florida, Missouri and West Virginia say they are withdrawing from a bipartisan, multistate effort aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter rolls that has found itself in the crosshairs of conspiracy theories fueled by Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 presidential election.
Florida doctors' board tightens ban on gender-affirming care
A prohibition against puberty blocking hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for minors in Florida was tightened further after a board overseeing doctors eliminated an exception for research at the request of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.