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WNBA To Return In July With Shorter Season, No Fans

By NPR News June 16, 2020

The Washington Mystics play in Game 5 of basketball's WNBA Finals in October. The league, which postponed the start of its season due to the coronavirus, announced plans to reopen in July. CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

The WNBA has announced plans for a shortened season to be held in Florida, a neutral site. It's the first time that all teams' players will train and play in the same location. Continue Reading WNBA To Return In July With Shorter Season, No FansRead More

As States Reopen, Health Experts Seek To Understand Coronavirus’s Early Silent Spread

By NPR News April 25, 2020

Beachgoers return to Port Hueneme Beach, Calif., on Thursday. Ventura County beaches and parks have been scheduled to reopen this week with some restrictions. CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP

Medical examiners are now screening for possible coronavirus connections in late January. Emerging evidence suggests it spread far earlier and more widely than initially believed. Continue Reading As States Reopen, Health Read More

States Consider Whether Religious Services Qualify As ‘Essential’ During Coronavirus Shutdowns

By NPR News April 1, 2020

Church members at Richland’s Shalom United Church of Christ sing environmental hymns during a service on Feb. 9, 2020, that addressed environmental issues, such as climate change. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Some see government bans on large public gatherings as attacks on religious freedom when they are applied to houses of worship. Continue Reading States Consider Whether Religious Services Qualify As Read More

BOOK REVIEW: Rooted In History, ‘The Nickel Boys’ Is A Great American Novel

By NPR News July 16, 2019

Colson Whitehead's deeply affecting new novel is based on the true story of a segregated reform school in Florida where African American boys were brutalized and possibly murdered. Continue Reading BOOK REVIEW: Rooted In History, Read More

Deputy In Parkland School Shooting Arrested, Faces 11 Charges For ‘Inaction’ In Response

By NPR News June 4, 2019

In this 2015 photo, then-school resource officer Scot Peterson spoke at a school board meeting of Broward County in Florida. Peterson was arrested on Tuesday and faces 11 charges in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Broward County Public Schools via/AP

Scot Peterson, if convicted, could get more than 96 years in prison. He is charged with criminal counts that include child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury. Continue Reading Deputy In Parkland School Shooting Read More

Florida Governor Says Russian Hackers Breached 2 Counties In 2016

By NPR News May 14, 2019

South Florida voters wait in line to cast their ballots late in the day at a busy polling center in Miami on Nov. 6, 2018. Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images

The attack had not been publicly known until last month's release of the Mueller report. The governor said no vote tallies were affected and that no data had been manipulated. Continue Reading Florida Governor Says Russian Hackers Breached 2 Read More

Florida Secretary Of State Resigns After Photos Show Him In Blackface As ‘Katrina Victim’

By NPR News January 24, 2019

Michael Ertel in November 2012 while he was the elections supervisor of Seminole County, Fla. He resigned Thursday from his post as Florida secretary of state after photos of him in blackface emerged. CREDIT: Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images

Michael Ertel stepped down shortly after the Tallahassee Democrat showed the photos to the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Continue Reading Florida Secretary Of State Resigns After Photos Show Him In Read More

Florida Governor Replaces Broward Sheriff, Citing ‘Incompetence’ In Mass Shooting Response

By NPR News January 12, 2019

Broward Sheriff Scott Israel refused to resign for nearly a year but on Friday, he was suspended and replaced by former Coral Springs Police Department Lt. Gregory Tony. Brynn Anderson/AP

"Sheriff [Scott] Israel has repeatedly failed and has demonstrated a pattern of poor leadership," Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. Former Coral Springs Police Sgt. Gregory Tony will replace Israel. Continue Reading Florida Read More

Déjà Vu All Over Again: Florida Elections For Governor And U.S. Senate Heading For Recount

By NPR News November 10, 2018

Crowds gathered outside of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections this week in Florida. The elections for governor and U.S. Senate are heading for recounts. CREDIT: Joe Skipper/AP

Machine counting of votes will begin this week after narrow margins were reported in the races for governor and U.S. Senate. Continue Reading Déjà Vu All Over Again: Florida Elections For Governor And U.S. Senate Heading Read More

Key Questions The 2018 Election Will Answer

By NPR News November 5, 2018

A volunteer stands in front of an American flag before President Trump speaks at a rally last week in Indianapolis. Indiana is a key Senate battleground state for the GOP.

Voters will give the final judgment on Tuesday, determining not just the control of Congress — but also the very future of American politics. Continue Reading Key Questions The 2018 Election Will AnswerRead More

Hit Hard By Hurricane Michael, ‘It Will Be Years’ Before Tyndall Air Force Base Returns To Normal

By NPR News October 20, 2018

Tyndall Air Force base, home to 11,000 airmen and their families, sustained catastrophic damage when Hurricane Michael came through earlier this month. Residents don't know if they will ever go back. Continue Read More

Wreckage Left By Hurricane Michael Slows Relief Efforts

By NPR News October 13, 2018

A bridge damaged by Hurricane Michael can be seen Friday in Mexico Beach, Fla. The most powerful hurricane ever known to have hit the Florida Panhandle has left transportation and communication infrastructure in shambles, slowing relief efforts. CREDIT: Gerald Herbert/AP

Government and nonprofit agencies work in advance of storms to create distribution networks for critical aid, but the Category 4 storm damaged key communications and transportation infrastructure. Continue Reading Wreckage Left By Hurricane Michael Read More

Hurricane Michael Makes Landfall In Florida Panhandle, With 155-MPH Winds

By NPR News October 10, 2018

A storm chaser climbs into his vehicle as the eye of Hurricane Michael passes over Panama City Beach, Fla., hoping to retrieve his equipment after a hotel canopy collapsed in the parking area. The storm came ashore as a nearly Category 5 hurricane Wednesday.

Before Hurricane Michael, no Category 4 storm had hit the Panhandle since 1851 — when records were first kept. The storm was just below Category 5 status when it arrived. Continue Reading Hurricane Michael Makes Landfall In Florida Read More

Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Package Of New Gun Restrictions

By NPR News March 9, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act on Friday. The legislation includes a number of gun restrictions and also permits school personnel who are not full-time teachers to be armed

Among other things, the legislation raises the legal age for gun purchases to 21, institutes a waiting period of three days and allows for the arming of some school personnel Continue Reading Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Package Of New Read More

Florida Senate Approves Gun Control Package, OKs Arming Some School Personnel

By NPR News March 6, 2018

The legislation found opponents in both parties and passed by a very thin margin. The next test is the Florida House, which has until Friday to act. Continue Reading Florida Senate Approves Gun Control Package, OKs Arming Some School Read More