DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

WASHINGTON — The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, is set to face questions from House lawmakers on Tuesday about the federal government's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton that caused catastrophic damage in the Southeast. “And FEMA leadership didn’t take action against this supervisor until the press exposed this discrimination," his remarks say. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against Criswell and Washington last week over the incident. More than 220 people died from Hurricane Helene in late September, which hit Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. At least 17 people died during Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida hard in early October.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Deanne, Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Criswell, James Comer, Comer, Ashley Moody, Donald Trump's, Trump, Biden, Hurricane Helene Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hurricanes, Transportation, House Republicans, FEMA, Trump, Fox News, House Homeland Security Committee, Criswell, Hurricane Milton Locations: Florida, Marn’i Washington, United States, Ky, Highlands County , Florida, Washington, Hurricane, Georgia , Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina

DeSantis does not have to listen to Trump, after the two men saw their relationship fray amid DeSantis' national rise and his failed 2024 presidential campaign. “I think that pick makes a lot of sense, and would be great for Florida,” said a Trump ally who acknowledged there is interest from Trump world in seeing DeSantis appoint Lara Trump. "I have heard that too," a DeSantis ally said of Lara Trump getting in the mix for the Senate appointment. Two DeSantis advisers told NBC News that it is very unlikely DeSantis would appoint himself, even though the option remains open. “She would avoid a really nasty primary in two years.”“I’m giving her my full backing” she continued of Lara Trump, who is a North Carolina resident.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Sen, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Lara, Rubio, Trump, wouldn't, Lara Trump, ”, DeSantis, “, James Uthmeier, Trump's, Commerce Wilbur Ross, Uthmeier, James, it's, Gov, Jeanette Nunez, General Ashley Moody, Paul Renner, Jose Oliva, Laurel Lee, Susie Wiles, Wiles, Ron, I’ve, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Marco Rubio’s, Anna Paulina Luna, Benny Johnson, “ I’m Organizations: Florida Gov, Senate, State Department, Trump, Florida Republicans, NBC, Commerce, NBC News, Republican, Florida, Gov Locations: TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Florida, U.S, North Carolina

☆ Florida bail bondsman allegedly offered female inmates bond in exchange for sex; sold women he bonded out to other buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A Florida bail bondsman allegedly targeted incarcerated female inmates and offered them bond in exchange for sex, the state's attorney general said. Moncrief, the owner of Moncrief Bail Bonds in multiple Florida counties, allegedly offered to bond out the women "in exchange for sex." He also offered to bail out inmates "in exchange for sex from someone outside of jail" and allegedly sold women he bonded out to other buyers, Moody's office said. Authorities learned of Moncrief's scheme while investigating former defense attorney John Gillespie for committing similar crimes, the attorney general said. Victims of Gillespie told investigators they had also been forced to perform sex acts with Moncrief, the office said.

Persons: Russell Bruce Moncrief, Ashley Moody’s, Moncrief, Phelan M, Moody, John Gillespie, Gillespie Locations: Florida, Orange County, Moncrief

☆ Ron DeSantis, using the levers of state government, ramps up efforts to defeat Florida abortion-rights ballot measure
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | Adam Edelman | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Last month, a state-run health care agency launched a website that shares information that proponents of the ballot measure say is misleading. The DeSantis administration has also ramped up efforts to investigate allegations of fraud in the signature-gathering process by the groups behind the measure. In addition, the state Health Department sent cease-and-desist letters this month to multiple television stations across the state that had aired an ad that supported the ballot measure. Spokespersons for the DeSantis administration, the Health Department and the Agency for Health Care Administration didn’t respond to questions. Even putting the efforts from DeSantis and other Florida Republicans aside, the ballot measure faces an uphill climb.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ”, “, Sen, Jason Pizzo, ” Lauren Brenzel, “ Don’t, ” Pizzo, Donald Trump, waffling, Alex Andrade, he’s, ” Andrade, Ashley Moody, It’s Organizations: Florida Gov, Republicans, GOP, Florida Republican, Democratic, Floridians, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, American Civil Liberties Union of, Washington Post, The Associated Press, Freedom, Health Department, Agency for Health Care Administration, Trump, Republican Party, “, DeSantis, Republican, Florida Republicans Locations: Florida, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, DeSantis

Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a stark warning to those who ignore evacuation orders. WFTSFlorida leaders still working to respond to damages from Hurricane Helene issued emphatic pleas to Tampa-area residents Sunday to heed evacuation orders, as Hurricane Milton is expected to strengthen and hit the state’s western coast by mid-week. “Nobody up here can save your life if you put yourself in harm’s way.”Officials expect storm surge, other flooding and high winds that knock out power, Scott said. With some roads still flooded from Helene, residents can expect a similar kind of storm surge from Milton – but this time with strong winds, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister warned. Many people are still without cell phone service after Helene, Moody said, advising residents to buy a small AM radio and a couple of batteries.

Persons: Ashley Moody, WFTS, Helene, Milton, Sen, Rick Scott, “, Scott, Milton –, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Jane Castor, Chronister, ”, – Moody, Moody Organizations: ”, Hillsborough County Sheriff, Tampa Locations: WFTS Florida, Tampa, Helene, Hillsborough County

The storm is quickly strengthening, already boasting winds of 65 mph, according to an update Sunday morning from the National Hurricane Center. It is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Sunday night — and a major hurricane by late Monday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued for parts of the western Florida coast on Sunday — with dangerous storm surge expected for some areas just slammed by Helene. “This is something that potentially would be greater power outages than what we just saw with Hurricane Helene,” the governor said, noting the state’s residents still have a couple of days to get ready. Assets deployed to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery in Tennessee and North Carolina have also been ordered back to Florida, DeSantis said.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Helene —, it’s, Tropical Storm Milton, Helene ., Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, Kevin Guthrie, DeSantis, “, Floridians, ” Guthrie, Ashley Moody, ” Moody, ”, Thomas Chaves, Vinny Almeida, Mike Carlson, Debbie Bright, Bright, ” Bright Organizations: CNN, Tropical Storm, National Hurricane Center, Key, Tampa ., Florida Gov, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Florida, Sunday, Fort Myers, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, AP, WFTS Locations: Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, Naples, Tampa Bay, Helene . Miami, Orlando, Miami, Gulf, Helene, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Tennessee, North Carolina, Hurricane, Chaves, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, AP Florida, Pinellas County, ” St, Petersburg

☆ Price-gouging complaints about the cost of fuel, water, and hotels are surging in states hit by Hurricane Helene
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

South Carolina and North Carolina saw a rise in complaints, mostly about hotels and fuel. AdvertisementAs Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across southeastern US states, complaints of price gouging have surged. Related storiesIn neighboring North Carolina, which experienced the highest death toll of about 56, there were also dozens of price-gouging complaints. A spokesperson for the North Carolina Attorney General's Office said the state's Department of Justice had received 64 complaints alleging price gouging in western North Carolina. Kylie Mason, communications director for Attorney General Ashley Moody, told BI they had received complaints "mostly about fuel and water."

Persons: Helene, Price, —, Virginia —, Hurricane Helene, Robert Kittle, Alan Wilson, Kittle, Wilson, Josh Stein, Stein, Kylie Mason, General Ashley Moody, Moody, Jonathan Skrmetti, Shaun Kenney, Jason Miyares, Kenney, Kamala Harris, Harris Organizations: Service, Business, South Carolina, AG, North Carolina Attorney General's, state's Department of Justice, North, Consumer, Division, Tennessee Division, Consumer Affairs, Virginia Locations: South Carolina, North Carolina, South Carolina , Georgia, Florida , Tennessee, Virginia, Hurricane, Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia

☆ Big Tech gets a big win from the Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Supreme Court isn't willing to blow up the internet just yet. The Texas law applied to social media companies with at least 50 million users, while Florida included companies with over 100 million users. As Judge Andrew Oldham wrote in his appeals court decision upholding the Texas law, the Florida law "prohibits all censorship of some speakers," while the Texas law "prohibits some censorship of all speakers." Part of the reason the Supreme Court might have agreed to hear the cases to begin with is because there was a circuit split between the states. But Calvert said on Monday that because the high court's decision is so favorable to the social media companies, that's not likely to happen.

Persons: —, isn't, Paxton, Florida's Moody, NetChoice —, Donald Trump, Andrew Oldham, Clay Calvert, Calvert, Elena Kagan, Kagan, Ken Paxton, Ashley Moody ., that's Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook, Twitter, Capitol, Republicans, Meta, Google, Appeals, Circuit Locations: Texas, Florida

☆ Florida voters will decide whether to protect abortion rights and legalize pot in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Octavio Jones | Getty ImagesThe Florida Supreme Court issued rulings Monday allowing the state's voters to decide whether to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational use of marijuana, rejecting the state attorney general's arguments that the measures should be kept off the November ballot. Abortion rightsThe proposed amendment would protect the right to an abortion after the state in back-to-back years passed tougher restrictions currently being challenged in court. Faith Halstead, chants along with other protesters and activists near the Florida State Capitol where Florida State Senators voted to pass a proposed 6-week abortion ban in Tallahassee, Florida, on Monday, April 3, 2023. While many voters aren't enthusiastic about a rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, it could inspire more abortion rights advocates to cast a ballot. People gather on the steps of the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on May 7, 2022 for a rally to support abortion rights.

Persons: Octavio Jones, General Ashley Moody, Faith Halstead, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Moody, Roe, Wade Organizations: Getty, Florida Supreme, Republican, Florida State Capitol, Florida State, Washington Post, Trump, Florida, Florida Sun, Tribune, Service, Supreme Locations: Tampa , Florida, Florida, Tallahassee , Florida, Fort Lauderdale, U.S, Maryland, New York

☆ $100,000 of goods were stolen from Home Depots across Florida in an organized self-checkout barcode switching scheme, the state's attorney general says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThree people are facing grand theft charges after more than $100,000 of goods were stolen from Home Depot stores in Florida by swapping out the barcodes for lower-cost items at self-checkouts, the state's attorney general said. On Home Depot's website, the roof sealer currently retails at $119 for a 0.9-gallon bucket or $349 for a 4.75-gallon bucket. Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Popat with one count of grand theft over $100,000, and Abad and Baglin with one count of grand theft over $20,000. Now, this group faces our Statewide Prosecutors and time in prison, where I can promise there is no self-checkout line."

Persons: —, Ashley Moody's, Vicky Popat, Christopher Abad, Christopher Eduardo Baglin, Henry 887 Tropi, Abad, Moody Organizations: Service, Home Depot, Statewide, Business, Statewide Prosecution, Depot, Statewide Prosecutors, Midwest Locations: Florida, Home, South, Central Florida

☆ Court blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. appeals court has blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on Chinese citizens owning homes or land in the state against two Chinese nationals who were in the process of buying property when the law was adopted. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Thursday the individuals were likely to prevail on claims that Florida's ban violates a federal law governing real estate purchases by foreign nationals. A Florida federal judge in August had declined to block the law, prompting an appeal by the plaintiffs. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states including Texas, Louisiana and Alabama are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. It also bars most citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea from owning property near military installations and infrastructure such as power plants and airports.

Persons: Ashley Moody, Bethany Li, Li, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Circuit, Appeals, Republican, Constitution, Asian American Legal Defense, Education Fund, Republican Gov, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Miami , Florida, U.S, Florida, Atlanta, Texas , Louisiana, Alabama, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, North Korea

☆ US Court Blocks Florida Law Barring Chinese Citizens From Owning Property
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daniel Wiessner(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court has blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on Chinese citizens owning homes or land in the state against two Chinese nationals who were in the process of buying property when the law was adopted. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Thursday the individuals were likely to prevail on claims that Florida's ban violates a federal law governing real estate purchases by foreign nationals. A Florida federal judge in August had declined to block the law, prompting an appeal by the plaintiffs. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states including Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. It also bars most citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea from owning property near military installations and infrastructure such as power plants and airports.

Persons: Daniel Wiessner, Ashley Moody, Bethany Li, Li, Ron DeSantis, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Circuit, Appeals, Republican, Constitution, Asian American Legal Defense, Education Fund, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Florida, Atlanta, Texas , Louisiana, Alabama, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Albany , New York

☆ New Hampshire Primary New Hampshire Voters Have Their Say: Haley or Trump?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Mr. Trump’s earlier supporters have seized on Mr. DeSantis’s departure from the race to declare Mr. Trump the “presumptive nominee,” though only Iowa has voted so far. Mr. Trump already has the support of Speaker Mike Johnson and the majority of congressional Republicans. field, all three of those men will appear alongside Mr. Trump on Monday night at a rally in Laconia, N.H., according to officials with the Trump campaign. (Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, whom Ms. Haley endorsed for president in 2016, backed Mr. Trump shortly before the Iowa caucuses.) I want to make it a live-free-or-die-country.”Holdouts among top Republicans for Mr. Trump are few and far between.

Persons: Tim Scott, Scott, Mr, Trump, Donald J, Ron DeSantis, Bob Good, Ashley Moody, Jeff Duncan of, Ralph Norman, Nikki Haley, Trump’s, DeSantis’s, Mike Johnson, Ted Cruz of, Tim Scott of, Doug Burgum, Vivek Ramaswamy, —, Haley, Nancy Mace, Marco Rubio, Ms, Chris Sununu, Larry Hogan of, Asa Hutchinson, Chris Christie, “, ”, Mitch McConnell of, John Thune of, Chip Roy, Texas, Thomas Massie of, Jazmine Ulloa, Michael Gold Organizations: Trump, Republican State Senate, Atlanta, Mr, Republicans, Gov, Former, Republican Locations: Concord, N.H, Florida, Virginia, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, statehouses, Georgia, Iowa, Ted Cruz of Texas, Tim Scott of South Carolina, North Dakota, Laconia, South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida, New Hampshire, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Arkansas, New Jersey, Franklin, America, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, John Thune of South Dakota, Thomas Massie of Kentucky

☆ Supreme Court says Florida can’t enforce anti-drag law
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ariane De Vogue | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Florida law that limits drag shows in the state will remain blocked, the Supreme Court said Thursday, dealing a blow to a key initiative championed by Republican Gov. Florida had asked the high court to narrow a lower court’s injunction that stopped the law from being enforced statewide. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined Florida’s emergency application for a stay of the district court’s injunction, triggering the state’s ask to the Supreme Court for relief. Since the district court temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, the restaurant has returned to normal operations. The challenge to the law continues at lower courts, and Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law, cautioned against drawing broader implications from Thursday’s order.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ashley Moody, –, ”, ” Moody, Moody, Hamburger, Hamburger Mary’s, Steve Vladeck, Kavanaugh, Barrett, ” Vladeck, “ Organizations: CNN, Republican Gov, Conservative, University of Texas School of Law Locations: Florida, Ron DeSantis . Florida, ”, Orlando, “ Florida

That includes Ohio, where voters Tuesday enshrined abortion access in the state constitution. Opponents want to ban abortion throughout pregnancy. The state Supreme Court in 2019 upheld a lower court decision that there is a right to abortion in the state constitution. ___NEBRASKAAbortion rights advocates have submitted language to Nebraska' secretary of state for a ballot question that would expand abortion access. In the third trimester, the state could ban abortion — except when it's needed to save the woman's life.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Ron DeSantis, General Ashley Moody, State Jay Ashcroft, Ashcroft, ___, it's, Jay Inslee Organizations: Ohio, U.S, Supreme, Democratic, ___, Republican Gov, Republican, Republicans, ___ MARYLAND Lawmakers, State, ___ NEVADA Voters, ___ SOUTH DAKOTA Voters, WASHINGTON Democratic Gov, Associated Press Locations: Ohio, Maryland, New York, ARIZONA, ___ COLORADO Colorado, Colorado, ___ FLORIDA, Florida, IOWA, Iowa, MISSOURI, Missouri, ___ NEBRASKA, Nebraska, PENNSYLVANIA, ___, South Dakota

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's Republican attorney general will oppose a proposed amendment protecting the right to an abortion if it makes next year's ballot, she told the state Supreme Court when she advised justices Monday that a petition has reached enough signatures to trigger a language review. Attorney General Ashley Moody notified the court of its responsibility and said she will eventually argue the language isn't valid, though she didn't explain why. DeSantis approved last year banning abortion after 15 weeks is being challenged in court. DeSantis, who is running for president, has said he would support a federal abortion ban after 15 weeks. If the amendment makes the ballot and is approved by at least 60% of votes cast, it would protect the right to an abortion up to the point the fetus can survive outside the womb.

Persons: —, Ashley Moody, DeSantis, — DeSantis Organizations: Republican, Republicans Locations: TALLAHASSEE, Fla

Florida said the White House is conditioning transportation funding on the state's agreement not to enforce provisions that the Secretary of Labor believes undermine collective bargaining. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and their respective agencies are among the defendants. The Labor Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Florida passed laws to protect workers from being strong-armed by unions," Republican state Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement. "We're pushing back against this overreach to protect our state's autonomy and Florida workers."

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Bill, Julie Su, Pete Buttigieg, General Ashley Moody, Donald Trump, Jonathan Stempel, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Department of Labor, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Republican, Labor, U.S . Department, Department of Transportation, Labor Department, Florida Education Association, Democrat, Court, Southern District of, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Florida, paychecks, U.S, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, New York

☆ Supreme Court to weigh GOP-backed social media ‘censorship’ laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Supreme Court of the United States building seen in Washington D.C., United States on September 28, 2023. The states argue that they have the authority to regulate social media companies to ensure that users receive equal access to the platforms. Circuit Court of Appeals, prompting the state to appeal to the Supreme Court. "It is not at all obvious how our existing precedents, which predate the age of the internet, should apply to large social media companies," he wrote. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments and issue a ruling in its new term, which begins next week and ends in June.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Biden, Ashley Moody, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, — David Ingram Organizations: Washington D.C, WASHINGTON, Republicans, Tech, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Computer and Communications Industry Association, U.S, Capitol, Trump, Disney, NBC News, Circuit, Supreme, Appeals, Conservative, Thomas, Liberal, Communications, Google Locations: United States, Washington, Florida, Texas, Atlanta, New Orleans

☆ Florida's attorney general says DeSantis suspending an elected state attorney is 'democracy in action'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis suspended Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell. It was the second time in just over a year DeSantis has suspended an elected, Democrat-identifying state attorney. Florida's Attorney General, Ashley Moody, called Worrell's suspension, "democracy in action." Ron DeSantis on Thursday after he suspended an elected state attorney, calling it "democracy in action." While appearing on "Fox & Friends First," Moody was asked if it was controversial that DeSantis singlehandedly removed an elected official from office.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Monique Worrell, Ashley Moody, Andrew Bain, Moody, DeSantis, —, Worrell, Donald Trump, Generra Peck, James Uthmeier, didn't Organizations: Florida Gov, Democratic, Service, Republican, Orange, Orange County Court, Fox & Friends Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Orange County

☆ Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a DeSantis ally, wants to stop pot legalization from going before voters in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis, asked the state Supreme Court to nix a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize pot in the state. The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Drug Free America Foundation were outside entities opposing the ballot measure in briefs they filed. In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly authorized medical marijuana usage through a similar ballot measure, and they tend to be similarly successful in other states. Despite DeSantis' definitive statement against cannabis legalization last week, his record on the issue has been mixed. As a US Congressman, DeSantis voted in favor of spending bill amendments to protect state cannabis programs from federal interference.

Persons: DeSantis, —, Ashley Moody, Ron DeSantis, nix, Moody, Truelieve Organizations: Florida's, Service, Republican Gov, GOP, Department of Health, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Drug Free America Foundation, Navy Locations: Florida, telehealth

☆ DeSantis sues Biden administration over education standards that control access to federal student loans, in early sign about his plans for colleges if he's elected president
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ron DeSantis of Florida is suing the Biden administration over a federal law requiring colleges and universities to get a quality stamp of approval from certain accrediting agencies. The association recently threatened Florida State University's accreditation when it was considering hiring Richard Corcoran, the state's former education commissioner, as its university president. Ron DeSantis signs a Florida education bill into law. 1 in higher education, largely because of its high graduation rates and low tuition. More broadly, Republicans have developed a hostile relationship with higher education institutions in recent years, viewing them as aligned with liberal policies and even decrying them as "Marxist."

Persons: DeSantis, Biden, —, Ron DeSantis, We're, they're, accreditors, Richard Corcoran, Ashley Moody, Moody, Douglas R, Clifford, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Gov, Biden, US Department of Education, Hillsborough Community College, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Colleges, Department of Education, Florida State, University of Florida, United States, Court, Southern District of, White, Florida Gov, Tampa Bay Times, AP, US News, The Education Department, New College of Florida, Republicans Locations: Florida, Tampa , Florida, Texas, Virginia, Fort Lauderdale, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Tampa, Sarasota

☆ Not on the DeSantis agenda for president: Decriminalizing cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Florida governor said last year that he didn't like the "putrid" smell. But DeSantis did help advance access to medical marijuana in Florida. Ron DeSantis said legalizing cannabis would not be on his agenda if he's elected to the White House in 2024. DeSantis, who did advance rules for medical cannabis use in Florida, said he wouldn't pursue legalization nationally, expressing concerns about more young people accessing weed. On Capitol Hill, the issue of cannabis legalization has become more bipartisan, particularly as a growing number of states have made it available medically and recreationally.

Persons: DeSantis, —, Ron DeSantis, Casey DeSantis, it's, Joe Biden, Susan Walsh, Biden, DeSantis succesfully, Ashley Moody, Nikki Fried —, Democratic Party —, Charlie Crist, Chuck Schumer Organizations: South, Service, Gov, White House, Veterans, American Medical Association, Companies, Florida Gov, Navy, Republican Florida, Politico, Democratic Party, Democratic, Gallup Locations: South Carolina, Florida, Augusta , South Carolina

The preliminary order, from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee, applies only to three transgender children in the lawsuit and their health care providers. The other four families did not join an emergency bid to block the law because they do not expect to need gender-affirming care in the immediate future. The offices of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Florida's medical licensing boards adopted bans on gender-affirming care for minors in March, and DeSantis last month signed a similar ban passed by the state legislature. He harshly criticized the law as motivated by "bigotry," noting that one state legislator had called transgender witnesses at a public hearing "demons."

Persons: Robert Hinkle, Susan, Ashley Moody, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, people's, Hinkle, Brendan Pierson, Alexia Garamfalvi, David Gregorio Our Organizations: District, U.S, Constitution, Thomson Locations: Florida, U.S, Tallahassee, New York

☆ In emergency meeting, DeSantis-appointed board votes to counter-sue Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The DeSantis-appointed board that oversees Disney's district has sued the company. The move comes after Disney filed a lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee. The board lawsuit will be filed in Central Florida, where Disney World is. Under a decadeslong arrangement with the state, Disney doesn't have to run its plans by zoning commissions or building-inspection departments. Last week, DeSantis' newly appointed board said "nothing is off the table" as it took on a major overhaul of the area.

☆ 5 reasons fighting Disney is a political winner for DeSantis — and 6 reasons it could hurt his shot at the presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

It does a ton of business in China, which many GOP voters view as a threat to the US. DeSantis already ran on being anti-Disney — and wonTaryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications director, has described the Disney fight as being "the will of Florida voters." And they might not vote for DeSantis if they think the Disney fight is a killer in a general election. Families often work hard and save for years to take their children to Disney World. If DeSantis can't bring a resolution to the Disney fight, can he handle the job of president?

Search resuls for: "Ashley Moody"

25 mentions found