Florida
After initial approval, Florida senators repeal bill that would have pushed back school start times
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With school districts across the state expressing support, Florida senators Monday started moving forward with a bill that would repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools.
Duval County explores options for new school start schedules
Lawmakers in 2023 approved the requirements, citing a need for older students to get more sleep. The requirements are slated to take effect in 2026, but as the deadline has neared, districts have said they are struggling to comply.
Bill sponsor Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said the 2023 law was “very well-intentioned and it sought to ensure that our high-school students were well-rested.” Under the law, high schools could not start earlier than 8:30 a.m. and middle schools could not start earlier than 8 a.m.
“To date, school districts across the state have begun their analysis of the impact of these required start times for the 2026 school year, and the feedback is overwhelming: A state mandate on school start times would present incredible challenges, financially and otherwise,” Bradley said before the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee voted 5-1 to approve the bill (SB 296).
Bradley, who represents a sprawling, largely rural area of North Florida, said many school districts would need to buy buses and hire hard-to-find bus drivers. Also, she said the later start times could affect such things as student participation in after-school activities and parents’ work schedules and child care.
Statewide organizations representing superintendents and school boards, along with numerous school districts, expressed support Monday for Bradley’s bill.
Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, said she voted for the 2023 law and likes the idea of later start times for older children, but the Palm Beach County school district told her it would not be feasible to meet the requirements.
“They said it was just impossible for them to be able to meet this mandate,” Berman said.
Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who is a former Okaloosa County superintendent of schools, cast the only dissenting vote Monday.
While the 2023 law also addressed middle schools, it was primarily about high schools. Citing information from the Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, a Senate analysis said the average start time for Florida high schools is 7:45 a.m. It said 46 percent of high schools start before 7:30 a.m., and 19 percent start between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
It said the average start time for middle schools is 9:03 a.m., with 8 percent starting before 8 a.m.
While Bradley’s bill would repeal the requirements, it says school districts would have to “consider the benefits of a later school start time when adopting middle school and high school start times.”
Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington, has filed a similar bill (HB 261) in the House. The annual legislative session will start Tuesday.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
ORLANDO, Fla. – With overnight temperatures expected to drop into the 20s and 30s across parts of Florida, AAA is urging drivers and homeowners to act quickly to safeguard their vehicles and homes.
“Whenever temperatures drop this quickly, the calls start pouring in. Dead batteries become extremely common,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a news release. “At the same time, homeowners face the risk of frozen pipes that can burst and cause thousands of dollars in damage.”
Cold weather can severely reduce a car battery’s ability to hold a charge, especially if the battery is older or weakened, and AAA said it expects a spike in roadside assistance calls for dead batteries during the cold snap.
Jenkins added, “Cold weather is tough on older batteries. If yours gives out, AAA can come to you. Our technicians can test, charge, or even replace your battery on the spot for members who request help.”
AAA recommends having your battery tested if it’s more than three years old, listening for slow engine cranking as a warning sign, and replacing batteries that show signs of weakness.
Frozen or burst pipe prevention
Homeowners should also be aware that freezing temperatures can cause water inside pipes to freeze and expand, potentially rupturing plumbing hidden behind walls or under sinks. Multiple nights of hard freeze conditions increase this risk.
To prevent frozen or burst pipes, AAA advises the following:
-
Let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving.
-
Open cabinet doors to allow warm air circulation.
-
Keep the thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Know the location of your main water shutoff valve.
Keeping tabs on tire pressure
Cold weather also lowers tire pressure, often by 1 to 2 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy, affect handling, and increase the risk of blowouts.
[WATCH: Tire pressure light on? Why cold weather can set it off]
AAA suggests:
-
Check tire pressure in the morning when tires are cold.
-
Inflate tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI found on the driver’s door jamb.
-
Don’t rely solely on tire-pressure monitoring systems.
-
Inspect tires for wear or damage.
“With weather like this, preparation is everything,” Jenkins said. “A few simple steps today can prevent a breakdown on the road or a disaster at home tomorrow.”
AAA recommends members download the AAA mobile app for fast access to roadside help, weather updates, and safety information.
To schedule a vehicle inspection, click here to locate a nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
A large crowd of several hundred people gathered in downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon in protest of ICE and its actions in Minnesota.
As the sun set over MLK Plaza, protestors had spilled out of the park and to three of the corners surrounding Palafox and Garden streets. Many holding signs, some chanting, the message was the same—get rid of ICE.
“We’re out here today in rejection of the violence happening in Minnesota between ICE and working class people,” said volunteer Dashawn McKenzie with the Pensacola Liberation Center. “We saw the murder of Alex Pretti and the murder of Renee Good. We’re standing in contrast to that saying we want ICE off our streets and we want the government to stop spending our tax dollars on ICE that is murdering people and deporting our neighbors because we have no issue with our immigrant neighbors.”
Opposition to ICE has grown steadily in recent days after federal immigration agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis this month, including Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who treated veterans, and Renee Nicole Good, a poet and mother of three.
Republican lawmakers have increasingly called for investigations into the killing of Pretti as Democrats refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security despite the likelihood of a government shutdown.
After a call with Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz on Monday, Trump said he would send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to lead some operations on the ground.
Pensacola protest calls for an end to ICE video
Video shows Pensacola residents protest in a show of solidarity with Minneapolis
The protest on Monday was one of several planned across Florida this week, and the first of two in Pensacola. Organizers say they plan to hold a second protest on Friday.
During Monday’s event, there was no visible counter-protest other than a couple stray comments from vehicles driving by. That didn’t surprise McKenzie, who said he has seen both sides of the aisle come together in recent days over ICE actions.
“I’ve talked to a million right-wingers and I know people want us to all hate each other like it’s a Facebook comment session war, but in reality most people don’t their government murdering people. Even Second Amendment advocates are standing in defense of Alex Pretti, working class people on the right are like ‘Hey, I may like Trump ,but I don’t like this.’ That’s the reality of what’s happening.”
USA TODAY reporters contributed to this story.
Florida
Man arrested after punching Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost at Sundance Film Festival event, police say
If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000
At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.
Kansas Congress Members Express Alarm at Lethal Force by Federal Agents
Kentucky vs Vanderbilt score today, UK basketball game updates
With the power out and roads closed, northern Louisiana continues to struggle after winter storm
Another Varsity Maine boys basketball poll, another change at the top
Maryland’s four-year graduation rate slightly declines, the Department of Education reports
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Video: F.A.A. Ignored Safety Concerns Prior to Collision Over Potomac, N.T.S.B. Says
Democrats demand Kristi Noem be fired or warn impeachment will follow
EU Commissioner Virkkunen urges US to respect EU digital rules
Families of killed men file first U.S. federal lawsuit over drug boat strikes
Video: New Video Analysis Reveals Flawed and Fatal Decisions in Shooting of Pretti
-
Sports1 week agoMiami’s Carson Beck turns heads with stunning admission about attending classes as college athlete
-
Illinois6 days agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Pittsburg, PA1 week agoSean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
-
Lifestyle1 week agoNick Fuentes & Andrew Tate Party to Kanye’s Banned ‘Heil Hitler’
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Sports1 week agoMiami star throws punch at Indiana player after national championship loss
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoNortheast Ohio cities dealing with rock salt shortage during peak of winter season
-
Science1 week ago‘It is scary’: Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range