Florida
Florida lawmakers return to Tallahasee for 2024 legislative season
TALLAHASEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers will return to Tallahassee to kick off the 2024 legislative session to discuss some hot-button topics. Including one bill that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns.
Another bill that will be discussed aims to protect historic monuments. It was filed the day after the city of Jacksonville took down the Confederate monument in Springfield Park.
Bills filed in both the House and Senate call for an increase in the minimum base pay for full-time classroom teachers and certain pre-kindergarten teachers. It would be known as the “Save our Teachers Act.”
Another bill would address Florida’s homeowner’s insurance crisis. It would stop insurance companies from putting a coverage limit on a house that would include the value of the land the house sits on. It would also require companies to offer policies that cover only the unpaid principal on a mortgage.
MORE: Jacksonville drivers react to proposed bill limiting left lane driving on highways
There is also one that centers around cannabis. If a person is caught with possession of 20 grams or less, this bill calls for lowering the criminal penalties for a first, second, or third violation.
Another bill caters to people who have pets. It would open the door for licensed veterinarians to provide services over Telehealth.
There are some more light-hearted bills filed too. They include a resolution to celebrate the life of legendary musician, Jimmy Buffet, who died last September.
Another one aims to change the Florida state bird from the mockingbird to the flamingo.
Tuesday is also the final day for lawmakers to file a bill. The legislative session wraps up in early March.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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