DeSantis defends property insurance bill, signs it into law

Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the property insurance bill he signed into law on Friday, which bails out insurers but doesn’t provide immediate relief for policyholders, saying it will create more choices for consumers. “It’s not a question about helping the insurance companies,” DeSantis said at an event in Fort Myers Beach. “What it’s about is creating a market where people are going to want to do business in Florida at all. It’s not about, ‘Hey, we want to help this company,... Read More

Michael Putney readies to leave after more than three decades at WPLG-Ch. 10′s ‘This Week in South Florida’

An era is ending in the intersecting worlds of South Florida politics, business, law and television as Michael Putney signs off for the last time as founding moderator of “This Week in South Florida,” the region’s premier television public affairs program. Almost every Sunday for the last 33 years, Putney has interviewed all manner of political leaders and aspiring leaders, from commissioners of small cities to presidents. And, Putney said, “a few rogues as... Read More

A holiday wish for the young man who robbed me. I am grateful for his lessons | Opinion

You almost broke me, 2022. Another emotional roller-coaster year for Florida brought a deadly hurricane, distressing midterm elections and, for me, a bittersweet family exodus from the state to saner … Click to Continue » ... Read More

Gordon College Settles with Professor it Said Was a Minister

State judge says the school’s legal strategy was a mistake. Gordon College has a reached a settlement with a social work professor who alleged discrimination when she was denied promotion. President Mike Hammond and board chair Carrie Tibbles notified faculty and staff in an email this week. “We are pleased to finally reach a resolution of this dispute,” the email said. “This has been a protracted legal journey through the judicial system which we did not seek out but... Read More

Janet Jackson wants Florida to get ‘together again’ for 3 concerts. How to get tickets

Janet Jackson has two of her defining albums celebrating anniversaries this year, so it seems fitting two concert dates in South Florida is just about right to properly acknowledge these … Click to Continue » ... Read More

Have Popular Carols Lost Their Sense of Worship?

Even with today’s nonstop Christmas soundtrack, churches can still embrace the storytelling and nostalgia that comes with seasonal hymns. “Once a year,” wrote Brennan Manning in Reflections for Ragamuffins, “the Christmas season strikes both the sacred and secular spheres of life with sledgehammer force: suddenly Jesus Christ is everywhere.” It’s true. When I walk through the grocery store, trying to remember if I have vanilla extract in the pantry, I hear... Read More

Dog flu is spreading: Vets sound warning, offer tips to protect your pet

Florida veterinarians, pet day-care owners and trainers are on high alert as parts of the country grapple with a highly contagious strain of the dog flu. The strain of canine influenza known as H3N2 has dogs hacking by the dozens and shelters temporarily closing in states like Texas, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. The virus has caused periodic outbreaks in the United States since 2015 and, while typically not fatal, can progress to serious pneumonia. Advertisement The dog flu is... Read More