1 of 2 | Florida settled a lawsuit Monday, over what critics dubbed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, allowing students and teachers to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity, as long as it is not part of classroom instruction. File photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/
March 11 (UPI) — Florida has settled a lawsuit over what critics dubbed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, allowing students and teachers to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity, as long as it is not part of classroom instruction.
The historic agreement was reached Monday between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys, as both sides celebrated “a win.”
“This settlement not only reaffirms the rights of LBGTQ+ students and educators to live and speak openly, but also marks a significant step towards rectifying the damage inflicted by the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ or ‘Trans’ law,” Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s Executive director, said in a statement.
The settlement also reinforces safeguards against bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and protects LGBTQ+ student clubs. The settlement says the Parental Rights in Education Act cannot ban references to LGBTQ+ individuals, relationships or families in any educational or extracurricular context. The settlement also clarifies that the law does not apply to library books, as long as those books are not being used in the classroom.
Monday’s settlement “demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a Florida where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live authentically and without fear,” Smith said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office also called the settlement a “major win” for the law, which will remain in effect as “children will be protected from radical gender and sexual ideology in the classroom.”
“We fought hard to ensure this law couldn’t be maligned in court, as it was in the public arena by the media and large corporate actors,” said Ryan Newman, an attorney for the state of Florida. “We are victorious, and Florida’s classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights in Education Act.”
The law, banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity through the third grade, was passed two years ago.
Last year, after publicly disagreeing with the law, Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis, claiming the governor led an unconstitutional political retaliation against the company by removing Disney World’s power to govern itself. In January, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying the complaint lacked merit.
“For nearly two years, Florida’s notorious ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law has spawned a disturbing wave of fear, anxiety and confusion. By providing much-needed clarity, this settlement represents a major victory for the many thousands of LGBTQ+ students, teachers, parents and their allies throughout Florida,” said lead counsel Roberta Kaplan.
“Today’s settlement makes clear the legitimacy of gay student groups, safeguards against hate and bullying and the ability of LGBTQ+ students and teachers to openly draw or display pictures of their partners and families,” Kaplan added.
“Simply put, the state of Florida has now made it clear that LGBTQ+ kids, parents and teachers in Florida can, in fact, say that they are gay.”
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Friday, July 10, 2026.
02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
11-15-32-40-45-46
Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 11-20-21-24-25
Evening: 06-11-15-20-33
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Morning: 15
Matinee: 13
Afternoon: 09
Evening: 04
Late Night: 08
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Midday: 6-0, FB: 5
Evening: 0-4, FB: 8
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 7-5-3, FB: 5
Evening: 5-8-1, FB: 8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 2-2-4-2, FB: 5
Evening: 0-4-4-1, FB: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 4-4-6-0-0, FB: 5
Evening: 9-2-9-8-1, FB: 8
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
The day has finally arrived. On July 10, hundreds of professional and amateur snake hunters entered the annual Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day race to remove as many of the invasive animals as possible from the Everglades. The person who bags the most snakes will earn a $10,000 first-place prize, while another $15,000 in payouts will go to various other categories, including for the longest snake captured.
Conservationists estimate between 100,000 and 300,000 Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) live across the state’s subtropical regions, where they have thrived as apex predators since their accidental introduction into the wild during the 1970s. Pregnant females can lay upwards of 70 eggs at a time, and each hatchling can reach an adult length of 13-feet long. Despite their population explosion, only around five percent of all pythons are spotted by the average onlooker. That means only one in about 20 snakes are noticed on any given day.
Over 600 people registered to participate in this year’s Florida Python Challenge as of July 7, according to Naples Daily News. Last year saw more than 900 local and international competitors, and the largest snake captured measured nearly 16 feet long. The annual event isn’t a free-for-all, however. Every hunter must complete a safety course prior to scouring for snakes, and while guns are allowed on private land with owner’s permission, all pythons must be euthanized as humanely as possible.
It may come as a surprise, but beheading one of the massive, coiling predators absolutely isn’t an ethical means of disposal. Because the snakes possess extremely slow metabolisms and can survive with very low amounts of oxygen, they can remain conscious (and in immense pain) for a prolonged period of time after decapitation. Instead, hunters are recommended to draw an imaginary line from each eye to the opposite jaw bone, then locate where those paths intersect. Then can then use a sharp rod or screwdriver to impale the top of the head before moving the tool in a multilateral direction to ensure an immediate loss of consciousness and a quick death. No one said python hunting was for the squeamish.
The Florida Python Challenge will end at 5 p.m. EDT on July 19, with champions announced soon afterwards.
2025 PopSci Best of What’s New
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A driver accused of driving under the influence caused a head-on crash that sent two people to the hospital before crashing into a fence, abandoning his vehicle and fleeing the scene, authorities said.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, at about 11:42 p.m. Tuesday, Kelly Castleman was driving on Turner Road in Tampa when he crashed into a sedan, causing it to strike an SUV and resulting in a head-on collision. The drivers of the sedan and the SUV were taken to the hospital with serious and critical injuries.
See also: Armed Florida man arrested after setting restaurant on fire with propane tank, police say
Deputies say Castleman’s vehicle continued north before crashing through a fence. According to the sheriff’s office, he stopped in the backyard of a nearby residence and then fled the scene on foot.
Castleman was found about a mile from his apartment and taken into custody. Investigators say he provided breath samples of 0.287 and 0.283.
Castleman is charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI with a breath-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher and property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash involving unattended property.
Voices: America at 250 could use a little more Utah
VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for July 10, 2026
Vice President JD Vance eyes estate in Virginia
Chisholm’s homer keys 3-run 9th as the Yankees rally past Washington 5-3 – WTOP News
Quiotepec en Wisconsin brings Oaxacan basketball fever to the Midwest
West Virginia DEP seeks details on Peoples Cartage fire cleanup, lawsuit filed on behalf of residents
Residents celebrate Wyoming Statehood Day by revealing their favorite thing about the Cowboy State
Trump’s crypto grift spins into its own industry
