Florida

Florida’s school voucher surge draws fire from public education advocates

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2025

Florida’s school voucher surge draws fire from public education advocates

Florida’s school voucher surge draws fire from critics

As Florida’s new state budget channels more money toward private and charter schools, public school advocates are sounding the alarm about the future of public education — warning that already-strained classrooms could suffer further setbacks.

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Florida’s new state budget channels more money toward private and charter schools, public school advocates are sounding the alarm about the future of public education — warning that already-strained classrooms could suffer further setbacks.

What we know:

Florida’s latest state budget increases funding for private school vouchers and charter schools, prompting backlash from public school advocates.

While there was also a boost to public school funding and teacher pay, education policy experts say it does not keep pace with inflation, and many schools may still feel the financial strain.

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Charter school growth and voucher expansion are central points of contention, especially policies allowing public-to-charter school conversions and co-locations.

The issue took center stage on Tuesday at the EDUVOTER Action Network Roundtable: Defending Public Education held in Tampa.

What we don’t know:

The impact of the funding changes on long-term public school performance and enrollment is unclear. It’s also uncertain how much influence public education advocates will have ahead of the next legislative session in October.

Ongoing lawsuits may delay or halt the implementation of certain charter school policies, but their outcomes remain to be seen.

The backstory:

Florida’s school voucher and charter school initiatives have expanded under Gov. Ron DeSantis, with a focus on offering parents more choice in where to send their children. Critics argue that this has come at a steep cost to the traditional public school system, which continues to face teacher shortages, resource gaps, and infrastructure needs.

The tension has been building for years as the state increasingly funds alternatives to public education.

What they’re saying:

Speakers at this week’s roundtable in Tampa — including parents, education advocates, and policy analysts — painted a stark picture of public schools left behind.

“Significant amounts of money leaving public education to go to private and home schools,” said Norín Dollard of the Florida Policy Institute.

Many worry that the growing role of for-profit charter operators and private schools funded by public dollars is eroding the quality and equity of Florida’s education system.

“Public schools are in jeopardy,” said Soraya Marquez, a roundtable attendee.

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Critics emphasized that most private schools accepting vouchers are religious and unaccredited, limiting real access for many families.

“The truth of the matter is, charter schools — although on paper are public schools — they are run by education management organizations, which are for profit,” said Crystal Etienne, President of EDUVOTER Action Network. “They get all of your tax dollars, but in addition to that, they have investors. They make money. This is a money grab at the expense of children.”

The other side:

Gov. Ron DeSantis has defended the expanded voucher program as a way to give families more control over their children’s education.

“Whether you are super wealthy or poor, you have options as a parent to put your child in the best learning environment,” DeSantis said.

What’s next:

The Florida Legislature will convene in October.

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by organizers and speakers at the EDUVOTER Action Network Roundtable: Defending Public Education, the State of Florida, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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Florida

High school football playoff brackets released; see where Central Florida schools are

Published

13 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

High school football playoff brackets released; see where Central Florida schools are

High school football playoff brackets were revealed Thursday, and more than 40 high schools across Central Florida have a shot at a state title. Games start next Friday night, Nov. 14.

DeLand (7A), Edgewater (5A), Jones (4A), and Bishop Moore (3A) earned No. 1 seeds in the respective classes.

Class 1A will be decided on Monday, after the FHSAA granted a temporary injunction to allow The First Academy to play in the playoffs. The school was banned from this year’s playoffs after the FHSAA ruled the school violated recruiting rules and allowed players to practice with the team before they were enrolled.

Below is a breakdown of each bracket where Central Florida schools are playing, which are underlined. Rankings are respective to each region:

Class 7A, Region 1

No. 8 Creekside at No. 1 DeLand

No. 5 Winter Park at No. 4 Boone

No. 7 Hagerty at No. 2 Lake Mary

No. 6 Seminole at No. 3 Spruce Creek

Class 7A, Region 2

No. 8 Ridge Community at No. 1 Venice

No. 5 Plant City at No. 4 West Orange

No. 7 Winter Haven at No. 2 Riverview Sarasota

No. 6 Ocoee at No. 3 Sumner

Class 7A, Region 3

No. 8 East Ridge at No. 1 Vero Beach

No. 5 Lake Nona at No. 4 St. Cloud

No. 7 Dr. Phillips at No. 2 Jupiter

Class 6A, Region 1

No. 8 Oviedo at No. 1 Buchholz

No. 6 Evans at No. 3 Pace

Class 6A, Region 2

No. 8 Melbourne at No. 1 Armwood

No. 5 Riverview at No. 4 Viera

No. 7 Plant at No. 2 South Lake

No. 6 Durant at No. 3 Osceola

Class 5A, Region 1

No. 7 Middleburg at No. 2 Mainland

Class 5A, Region 2

No. 8 Lake Gibson at No. 1 Edgewater

No. 7 Wesley Chapel at No. 2 Lakeland

No. 6 Winter Springs at No. 3 Gaither

Class 5A, Region 4

No. 8 Heritage at No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas

Class 4A, Region 2

No. 8 Deltona at No. 1 Jones

No. 5 Vanguard at No. 4 Auburndale

No. 7 Rockledge at No. 2 Zephyrhills

No. 6 New Smyrna Beach at No. 3 Lake Wales

Class 3A, Region 2

No. 8 Hernando at No. 1 Bishop Moore

No. 5 South Sumter at No. 4 Eastside

No. 7 Tavares at No. 2 Eau Gallie

No. 6 Titusville at No. 3 Merritt Island

Class 3A, Region 3

No. 8 Mulberry at No. 1 Booker

Class 2A, Region 2

No. 5 Berkley Prep at No. 4 The Villages Charter

No. 6 Newberry at No. 3 Cocoa

Class 1A, Region 1

No. 8 Trinity Catholic at No. 1 University Christian

Class 1A, Region 2

Region bracket delayed due to The First Academy injunction

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Florida

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Cash4Life results for Nov. 5, 2025

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Cash4Life results for Nov. 5, 2025

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 Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

09-17-29-61-66, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

07-10-18-21-61, Powerball: 11

Winning Florida Lotto numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

05-16-25-43-44-49

Check Florida Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

05-13-29-37-46-52

Check Lotto Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

09-13-26-47-53, Cash Ball: 03

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 14-19-26-31-33

Evening: 05-10-18-19-24

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Morning: 14

Matinee: 02

Afternoon: 12

Evening: 05

Late Night: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 1-2, FB: 3

Evening: 6-5, FB: 1

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 9-8-6, FB: 3

Evening: 0-8-3, FB: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 6-1-3-7, FB: 3

Evening: 8-2-0-5, FB: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 4-7-2-2-2, FB: 3

Evening: 3-9-4-4-2, FB: 1

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

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

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

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.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

Full name
City of residence
Game won
Date won
Amount won
Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

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.

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Florida

When is FSU football vs Clemson? Time, date, TV, prediction for Week 11 game

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

Press Room

When is FSU football vs Clemson? Time, date, TV, prediction for Week 11 game

Ten years ago, Florida State vs. Clemson was a clash of ACC football titans. It was FSU’s toughest test in its transcendent 2023 run. How the mighty have fallen.

Both are well out of the College Football Playoff picture and looking to regain momentum just for bowl season coming into this weekend’s showdown in Death Valley. Mike Norvell and Dabo Swinney are both fighting off questions about their job status each week.

The Seminoles (4-4, 1-4) are feeling better about themselves after a 42-7 demolition of Wake Forest last week with Tommy Castellanos throwing for 271 yards, 148 and a touchdown to Duce Robinson. The preseason No. 6, Clemson fell to 3-5 (2-4) with their second straight home loss, a 46-45 barnburner against Duke. Cade Klubnik isn’t a Heisman candidate anymore, but he is third in the ACC with 273.6 yards per game, including a career-high 385 with two touchdowns last week.

Buy FSU vs. Clemson football tickets

Here’s when the Seminoles and Tigers square off this week.

Florida State football schedule: FSU’s next game

FSU travels to Clemson on Saturday in their Week 11 game. The game will air on ACC Network.

Can I watch FSU football game on YouTube TV?

ACC Network is part of the ESPN family, so unless a new carriage deal with Disney is reached before Saturday, YouTube TV will not carry the game. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

What time is FSU vs Clemson?

The Seminoles and Tigers kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

FSU vs Clemson prediction

What do we make of Florida State? Their offense ranks first in the ACC and their defense is second in points and third in yards, but the four-game losing streak that derailed their season featured some truly dreadful performances on both sides of the ball. Of course, Clemson has their fair share of awful losses on their register, perhaps not worse than last week’s defensive clunker against Duke. The Tigers are 10th in the conference on both offense and defense, so at least they’re consistent.

FSU has lost its last eight games away from Tallahassee, but Clemson is just 1-3 at home this season and hasn’t won a home ACC game since Oct. 19, 2024. The Seminoles may have found exactly the right time for this primetime road trip, seeing as they just picked up their first conference win since September 2024. Prediction: FSU 31, Clemson 28