North Florida News
Governor DeSantis Announces Florida’s Unemployment Rate Remains Lower Than the Nation for 27th Consecutive Month
Published
3 years agoon
By
Willie David- Unemployment rate is 2.6 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous month’s revised rate of 2.7 percent, and 0.8 percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.4 percent.
- Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 27 consecutive months since November 2020.
- Between January 2022 and January 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 259,000, or 2.4 percent. This was faster than the national labor force growth rate of 1.3 percent over the year.
- Between January 2022 and January 2023, total private sector employment grew by 433,100 jobs (+5.3 percent), faster than the national private sector job growth rate of 3.6 percent over the year.
- As of January 2023, Florida employers have added jobs for 32 consecutive months since May 2020, with the exception of October 2022. Florida’s private sector over-the-year job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 22 consecutive months since April 2021.
- Private sector industries gaining the most jobs over the month were:
- Leisure and Hospitality with 16,100 new jobs.
- Education and Health Services with 4,900 new jobs.
- Financial Activities with 4,900 new jobs.
- Other Services with 3,200 new jobs.
North Florida News
Pro-Democracy Groups Launch “No Partisan Maps” Day of Action at Florida Capitol
Published
2 months agoon
November 29, 2025TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — A coalition of pro-democracy advocates and community members from across Florida will gather at the State Capitol on Tuesday, December 2, to launch the “We Draw the Lines: No Partisan Maps” Day of Action. The event begins with a press conference, followed by visits to legislative offices and coordinated outreach urging lawmakers to reject partisan-driven redistricting efforts.
The Day of Action takes place two days before the Florida House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting holds its first meeting on December 4. Advocates say the proposed mid-decade remapping is unconstitutional and undermines the will of voters.
“Any attempt by politicians to engage in drawing new voting maps designed to tip the scales of power for partisan gain is unconstitutional and illegal in Florida,” said Genesis Robinson, executive director of Equal Ground. “Redistricting decides who represents us in government, so it is critical that the process serves the people, not politicians.”
Florida’s push for mid-decade redistricting aligns with President Donald Trump’s call for Republican-led states to gerrymander district lines to help retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections. Such efforts would violate Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments, which prohibit partisan gerrymandering in the state.
Event Details:
What: “We Draw the Lines: No Partisan Maps” Day of Action
When: Tuesday, December 2, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Florida State Capitol, House-side Rotunda, Fourth Floor
Who: Voting rights organizations, civic groups, and impacted Florida residents
Why: To demand that lawmakers uphold constitutional protections and ensure fair representation for all Floridians
North Florida News
State Rep. Felicia Simone Robinson Files Bill to Establish Florida Voting Rights Restoration Database
Published
3 months agoon
November 4, 2025By
Willie DavidTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida State Representative Felicia Simone Robinson (D–Miami Gardens) has introduced House Bill 73 for the 2026 Legislative Session, aimed at improving transparency and access to information for returning citizens seeking to restore their voting rights. The proposal would establish a statewide, publicly accessible database to help individuals with felony convictions determine their eligibility to vote. A companion measure, Senate Bill 132, has been filed by Senator Tina Polsky (D–Boca Raton).
Centralized Database to Streamline Restoration Process
Under the proposed legislation, the Florida Commission on Offender Review would be responsible for developing and maintaining a centralized database that tracks key information, including supervision terms, restitution, fines, and other legal financial obligations related to felony sentences.
The bill mandates cooperation between state and local agencies—such as clerks of court, county comptrollers, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of Executive Clemency—to ensure the data is accurate and updated regularly. The database would be publicly accessible online and updated monthly, providing a clear path for eligible individuals to confirm their status.
Protecting Returning Citizens and Ensuring Transparency
The legislation also includes protections for individuals who rely in good faith on the database’s information, shielding them from prosecution for unintentional voting violations. Additionally, the Florida Commission on Offender Review would be required to submit a detailed implementation plan—outlining costs, staffing, and technology needs—to both the Governor and the Legislature. If approved, the law would take effect July 1, 2026.
Rep. Robinson Calls for Fairness and Dignity in the Process
Representative Robinson emphasized the moral and civic importance of restoring clarity to Florida’s electoral system.
“Floridians who have completed their sentences deserve clear, timely access to information about their rights,” said Rep. Robinson. “Too many are uncertain whether they still owe obligations or whether they can safely register to vote. This legislation will eliminate confusion and restore dignity.”
North Florida News
Jaguars Maul Panthers in Travis Hunter’s Debut
Published
5 months agoon
September 7, 2025By
Mike BrodskyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) beat the Carolina Panthers (0-1) by a score of 26-10 at EverBank Stadium. Today’s game marked the debut of Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, who played on both sides of the ball for the Jaguars, as a wide receiver and cornerback. It was also the first time Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. played against his brother, Panthers rookie RB Trevor Etienne, who was drafted in the fourth round after playing two seasons for the Florida Gators and one for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter makes his debut with the Jaguars. (Photo: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The Jaguars scored on their first drive of the season, with K Cam Little’s 35 yard field goal. But the Panthers responded with K Ryan Fitzgerald’s 48 yard field goal, tying the game at 3-3, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s 6 yard touchdown pass to TE Hunter Long, followed by Cam Little’s extra point, put the Jags ahead 10-3. It was Lawrence’s fifth consecutive open week with a passing touchdown. Just after that play, the game was officially delayed for about an hour due to severe weather in the area. Players and fans were moved to covered areas as a precaution. Later in the quarter after action resumed, WR Brian Thomas Jr. ran for a 9 yard touchdown. Little added the XP and followed shortly after with a 47 yard field goal just before halftime, to put the Jags up 20-3.
The game was delayed due to severe weather in Jacksonville. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
In the third quarter, the Jaguars succeeded in stopping the Panthers’ drive, taking over the ball on their 6 yard line. But neither team scored any points in the quarter.
Midway through the fourth, Cam Little’s 36 yard field goal put the Jags ahead 23-3. But the Panthers responded with a 27 yard pass from QB Bryce Young to RB Chuba Hubbard, followed by Brian Fitzgerald’s XP, narrowing their deficit to 23-10. After the two minute warning, Cam Little’s 28 yard field goal put the Jags up 26-10. A late scoring drive by the Panthers ended with an interception of Bryce Young’s pass intended for RB Rico Dowdle by Jaguars CB Jourdan Lewis, ending the game at 26-10.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 178 yards and one TD. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 142 yards. Brenton Strange was the leading receiver with 59 yards. Today’s attendance was 59,957.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the process of renovating their stadium. Many areas of EverBank Stadium were blocked off for construction during today’s game. The project will continue while the Jaguars continue to play at home this season and next. In 2027, the team will play at either Orlando or Gainesville to complete the transformation. For more details on Jacksonville’s Stadium Of The Future, which opens in 2028, visit https://www.jaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture/.
The Jaguars head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Sunday, 9/14. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.