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Tallahassee – In a new TV ad for his Congressional campaign, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is promoting “one person fighting for homeowners.”In fact, the ad says, “He oversaw the biggest fine in history against the insurance company.” The video included last year’s Tampa Bay Times headlines about state regulators fined Tampa-based estate insurance for how homeowners are treated after Hurricane Ian.However, Patronis never explicitly came out in favor of that fine when it was issued (and it was not the biggest).The advertisement, “The Battle for Homeowners” was for the Patronis Race of Parliament District 1 in the West…

Lorne Cook and David Mchugh, Associated PressBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday announced retaliatory trade measures with new duties on US industry and agricultural products, responding to 25% within hours to increase tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.The world’s largest trade bloc had prepared in advance, expecting US tariffs, but the measure still places a heavy burden on already tense transatlantic relations. Only last month, Washington warned Europe that it must cherish its own safety in the future.The EU measures cover approximately 26 billion euros ($28 billion) of goods from the US, covering not only steel and…

Since arriving in the US four years ago, Alex has been working in the primary care office. He witnessed firsthand how difficult it is for immigrants to access preventive care.When he heard of the implementation of Florida Senate Bill 1718, Alex feared that it would have dire consequences for the patients he served.Alex is one of our graduate school pseudonyms.SB 1718 was signed into law in May 2023 by Governor Ron Desantis, imposing drastic restrictions aimed at blocking fraudulent immigration. Within that provision, hospitals accepting Medicaid funds must ask patients about the status of their immigration and share data on…

If you say that in town a play is being presented in town about the effects of prescription opioid addiction on families facing mental health issues more than the effects of past trauma, you’ll probably ask me that a modern playwright came up with it.Now, spoiler warning, the answer is Eugene O’Neill, who died in 1941, and his autobiographical play is set in 1912 more than a century ago, to be precise.Of course, that play – “A Journey to a Long Night” – is on the stage of productions of ensemble companies that excel in classic dramas like this. It’s…

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is launching another job cut (more than 1,000) in the country’s weather, marine and fishing agencies.On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began plans to fire 10% of the current workforce, with people inside and outside the agency demanding anonymity due to fear of retaliation. The numbers were presented to NOAA employees and the manager was asked to submit the name of the layoff position to the agency headquarters.Three former NOAA staffers (two former political appointees in the Biden administration) spoke regularly with managers at older agencies and used the same number for upcoming…

Ten people, including three brothers, have been found guilty of murder after a teenager was stabbed in a group attack in the park.A total of 12 defendants faced the Queensland Supreme Court in Brisbane on Wednesday following the judge-only trial in November 2024.Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told Judge Lincoln Crowley that the 19-year-old boy died on September 13, 2020 near Zilmare Park in northern Brisbane.Judge Crawley heard that the motives for the attack were retaliated as retaliation for John Walwal’s bashing at Ipswich Shopping Centre five days before Mekkonen was stabbed.John Wal Wal is four brothers, defendants Crest, Gabréal, Johanna…

TALHASSEE — Florida officials hope local police officers will report their boss to the state if they believe they are not fully complying with the state’s immigration orders as part of President Donald Trump’s widespread push to load law enforcement in immigration crackdown.In a statement issued Tuesday, Florida immigrant Czar Larry Keefe said that “involved law enforcement officers and employees” could report agency failures to the state through the newly created “Law Enforcement Accountability Dashboard.””This reporting system provides a direct channel for executives and employees to report failures in compliance with Florida’s immigration enforcement policies,” Keefe said. “Let’s not be…

Josh Balk, Paul Wiseman, Rob Zillies, The Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25% on Wednesday, pledging that taxes will help create jobs for U.S. factories when taxes are shaking stock markets and causing fears of economic slowdowns.In addition to increasing the tariff on aluminum from 10%, Trump removed all exemptions from 2018 tariffs on metals. His move, based on the February directive, is part of a broader effort to disrupt and transform global commerce. The Republican president has separate tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, and plans to…

For years, I have been working tirelessly with leaders across the state to find solutions to the opioid epidemic and overturning the growth trends of opioid use disorders, but opioid overdose continues to take the lives of our loved ones. In 2023, more than 80,000 people died from opioid overdose in the United States. We must act now to reverse this trend and help our communities overcome this growing crisis. Thankfully, Medical Innovation currently offers prevention-focused solutions, but our healthcare system must be given guidance to make these alternatives accessible to all Floridians.Ernie Bach (Commentary of Ernie Bach)The financial sacrifices…

Border officials are said to have received bribery including cash and valuables to ensure the safe passage of cocaine.Following a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the New South Wales State Police, Australian Border Forces (ABF) employees and suspected criminals have been charged with multiple crimes related to drug trafficking and bribery.The charge comes after a pair allegedly conspiring to smuggle illegal drugs into Australia.The 50-year-old ABF employee is scheduled to appear in Downing Centre District Court on March 12 and faces several serious charges.These include receiving bribery as a federal official, abuse of civil servants, and fraudulent…