The Florida legislature has passed and sent to Gov. DeSantis a bill that would impose new restrictions on public employee unions, with a notable carve-out for public safety workers such as police, firefighters, and correctional officers. The legislation effectively creates two tiers of public unions in the state, leaving teachers and other non-public-safety employees subject to the new requirements while leaving public safety unions untouched.
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Sources: WUFT News
A significant collection of Viking Age coins has been discovered in Norway, according to a report republished by The Gainesville Sun. The find was made using metal detectors, though further details about the discovery are behind a paywall.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
A new analysis pushes back against negative characterizations of Florida’s housing market, contending the data tells a more favorable story. The piece suggests that widespread pessimism about the state’s real estate conditions may not be supported by the underlying numbers.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Florida is reporting additional measles cases, with the disease now appearing in new parts of the state including Collier and Palm Beach counties. The spread signals a broader pattern of growth beyond areas where earlier cases had been identified.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Powerball lottery tickets are currently available in 45 states, and the game is preparing to expand into the United Kingdom. The Gainesville Sun article covers details about the lottery’s reach, odds, and ticket pricing as part of this broader expansion story.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Plans for four large-scale data centers in Florida are drawing public opposition, according to reporting by The Gainesville Sun. Residents are pushing back against the proposed facilities, though specific concerns and locations were not available from the headline alone.
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Sources: The Gainesville Sun
Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visited Cross City on Wednesday as part of his gubernatorial campaign, meeting with voters and local leaders in Dixie County. Discussion centered on education, the economy, property taxes, and agriculture, with Collins drawing on his family’s farming background to underscore his personal stake in those issues. He also addressed storm recovery challenges, including permitting burdens tied to federal flood rules that he argued are driving up costs for residents rebuilding after disasters.
Sources: WCJB TV20
State lawmakers approved a redrawn congressional map within 72 hours during a special session, sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature. The vote came on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major redistricting ruling in a Louisiana case that DeSantis had cited as justification for calling the session. Democrats protested the rushed process on the floor, with the House minority leader voicing strong objections to the speed and substance of the new boundaries.
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Sources: WCJB TV20 · The Gainesville Sun
A contributor to the Gainesville Iguana is calling on readers to contact their congressional representatives to oppose legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate in late March that would establish a fiscal commission to rewrite Social Security rules under an expedited process with limited debate and no amendments. The author argues that any changes to Social Security should go through the full legislative process, including public hearings, and contends that the program does not contribute to the federal debt and should not be used as a budget-cutting tool. Readers are encouraged to call or write their representatives using the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Sources: The Gainesville Iguana
The Gainesville Iguana’s editors’ picks compilation covers a range of state and national topics, including Florida’s 2026 legislative session priorities, a new state law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration taking effect in 2027, and immigration enforcement trends. The roundup also highlights a Gainesville filmmaker whose indie film swept a Puerto Aventuras festival and features local civil rights veteran Zoharah Simmons speaking at a March 28 rally in Gainesville.
Sources: The Gainesville Iguana
Florida’s legislature has passed a law requiring voters to document their citizenship to register or remain registered, with the requirement taking effect January 1, 2027 and not impacting the 2026 elections. Residents who hold a Real ID linked to their voter file will generally be covered, while those relying on student IDs, expired licenses, or lacking a passport or Real ID will need to take additional steps. A separate federal version of the legislation has passed the U.S. House but is considered unlikely to clear the Senate, though advocates encourage residents to gather relevant documents now as a precaution.
Sources: The Gainesville Iguana
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is under scrutiny on two fronts: his $100,000 salary for teaching a two-hour-per-week adjunct course at the University of Florida has drawn criticism as grossly disproportionate to typical adjunct pay, and a separate investigation by a Pensacola Republican state representative keeps alive allegations that a $10 million state payment was redirected to an anti-marijuana-legalization PAC linked to Uthmeier through the Hope Florida program. The dual controversies raise questions about favoritism and financial impropriety surrounding the state’s top law enforcement official.
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Sources: The Gainesville Iguana
