Freedom to Learn in Florida: An online advocacy workshop
Freedom to Learn in Florida advocacy workshop. Courtesy of PEN America.

Freedom to Learn in Florida: An online advocacy workshop

The Gov. Ron Desantis-led efforts to pursue what he deems the “war on woke” prevail into 2024 with Florida legislators on the front lines. Since 2021, states across the nation have faced bills targeting critical race theory, diversity initiatives and educational autonomy. In an attempt…

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From frontlines to diplomatic quagmire: two years of war in Ukraine
A protest sign featuring pictures of Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Putin and Adolph Hitler. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

From frontlines to diplomatic quagmire: two years of war in Ukraine

Feb. 26 will mark year two of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a war that has been worth small territorial gains for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia Matters, a project launched in 2016 by Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, reported…

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Florida House seeks to block social media access for teens citing privacy and safety concerns
App icons swirling around a toilet bowl with a phone in it. Photo by Cole Kinsley, edited by Andy Trinh.

Florida House seeks to block social media access for teens citing privacy and safety concerns

On Jan. 24, the Florida House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 1 with sweeping bipartisan support, on a vote of 106 to13. The bill would ban teens aged 16 years of age and under from owning social media accounts that can upload content, track…

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FL Board of Governors removes sociology from core curriculum options
A College Hall classroom. Photo taken by Christine Wehner.

FL Board of Governors removes sociology from core curriculum options

Sociology is no longer an option for Florida post-secondary students seeking to fulfill their general education course requirements. As of Jan. 24, introductory sociology courses cannot be counted for the social science requirement due to the discipline losing favor with the Florida Board of Governors…

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FL House Bill 599: another anti-gender identity bill
Pride at the Capital. Photo courtesy of Ted Eytan.

FL House Bill 599: another anti-gender identity bill

On Nov. 11, a bill was introduced to the Florida Senate by Representative Ryan Chamberlin (R-District 24) titled House Bill 599: Gender Identity Employment Practices. The legislation would strip employees of gender protection in the workplace, prohibiting “employees & contractors of certain employers from being required…

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Sarasota County Commission severs ties with national library group and state affiliate
Selby Public Library in Downtwon Sarasota. (Taken by Veronica Jolley.)

Sarasota County Commission severs ties with national library group and state affiliate

Starting in 2024, Sarasota County will no longer pay annual dues of $1,300 to the American Library Association (ALA) and $2,673 to the Florida Library Association (FLA). The Sarasota County Commission voted 4-1 on Nov. 14 to stop funding the county’s public library memberships in…

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Revisions to Carryforward Spending Plan raise questions about transparency
Screenshot of the Nov. 6 BOT meeting supporting documents regarding Carryforward Spending Plan revisions.

Revisions to Carryforward Spending Plan raise questions about transparency

On Nov. 6, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) held a virtual meeting with the sole agenda item of discussing revisions to the Carryforward Spending Plan. According to the State University System of Florida (SUS), Carryforward funds are reserve funds that each university must…

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Argentines speak out about Javier Milei, the new President
Javier Milei speaking in Buenos Aires. (Courtesy of Facundo Florit.)

Argentines speak out about Javier Milei, the new President

With the recent election of economist Javier Milei to the presidency of Argentina with lawyer Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as vice president, there are many concerns about the future of the country. Milei’s campaign was a mix of socially conservative culture fights and far right…

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