News
Florida ranks near bottom in nation for child wellbeing, according to recent data
2+ hour, 22+ min ago (479+ words) Florida's overall state of child wellbeing did not improve in this year's Kids Count Data Profile, although some segments including graduation rates and teen birth did see gains. Florida jumped four spots in education ranking compared to last year's report,…...
The stakes for public education are enormous: Florida's largest teachers union on De Santis property tax plan
1+ week, 4+ day ago (335+ words) Florida's largest statewide teacher union says schools would be at risk under Gov. Ron De Santis' proposal to significantly increase the homestead property tax exemption. De Santis' proposal would exempt $150, 000 of a homestead property's value from property taxes, effective Jan....
Florida's jobless rate has grown for 8 months straight
2+ week, 3+ day ago (519+ words) For an eighth consecutive month Florida's jobless rate has increased, with job declines in the finance, manufacturing and construction sectors over the past year. A report released by the Department of Commerce on Friday showed the state's rate rose to…...
Florida lawmakers are divided over education spending, USF Sarasota-Manatee transfer
3+ week, 6+ day ago (479+ words) Budget negotiations over education funding kicked off Tuesday, but the House and Senate remain at odds over major issues, including funding for universities and K-12 schools. The House presented an $8. 9 billion plan for the state's 14 public universities, about $106 million short of…...
Florida education union claims school choice system is unconstitutional, files suit
1+ mon, 3+ day ago (639+ words) The state's widely expanded and used school choice voucher system is unconstitutional because it doesn't provide for free, uniform education, the Florida Education Association argued in a lawsuit filed Tuesday. Parents and the FEA argued in a 39-page filing in…...
Florida Gov. De Santis signs law making it easier to decertify teachers unions
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (484+ words) Members of some public sector unions will need a greater share of their members to vote to keep their organizations alive, after Gov. Ron De Santis signed legislation Friday taking aim at teachers unions. The bill (SB 1296) will "provide once…...
So many broken promises: Blue-collar workers at USF protest for union contact, higher wages, affordable healthcare
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (1467+ words) It's been about a year and a half since the University of South Florida in Tampa unilaterally privatized hundreds of blue-collar jobs at the school, stripping workers of their state pension plans and outsourcing their jobs to a private contractor....
Critics slam Florida Department of Education move to block undocumented students from state colleges
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (538+ words) Advocates for Florida's immigrants are asking the state to stop the process of banning undocumented students from attending state colleges and taking the General Educational Development test. A collection of groups on Monday told reporters the proposed rules by the…...
St. Pete-based Girl Reports elevates underserved women globally through journalism
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (907+ words) Across the globe, Nepalese student Gauri Gupta has years of journalism experience under her belt, from features on community events to stories centered around issues affecting Nepal's citizens. But for Gupta, those bylines mean more than just experience or pay....
Florida's average teacher pay remains among worst in nation, union says
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (448+ words) Florida teachers" average starting salary increased between 2025 and 2026, although not enough to improve Florida"s nationwide standing, according to data from the National Education Association. The national union"s'annual rankings'for teacher pay put Florida"s average starting salary of $49, 435 at…...