Florida House passes congressional redistricting plan

Over the chants of Democratic lawmakers who planted themselves in the center of the chamber in protest, the Florida House gave final approval Thursday to a congressional redistricting plan that is expected to help Republicans and reduce the number of Black Democrats representing the state.

DeSantis vs. Disney: Debating future of Reedy Creek

State lawmakers are in a special legislative session debating the fate of independent special districts, such as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, that effectively allows Walt Disney World to self-govern itself.

DOJ will appeal mask ruling if CDC calls for it

The U.S. Department of Justice says it will appeal a ruling that eliminated COVID-19 mask mandates for public transportation if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deems it necessary. This comes as mask requirements are being dropped at airports, on trains and in rideshare services.

Biden pledges new Ukraine aid, warns Russia on chemical weapons

President Joe Biden and Western allies pledged new sanctions and humanitarian aid on Thursday in response to Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine, but their offers fell short of the more robust military assistance that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded for in a pair of live-video appearances.

Florida’s DeSantis, Disney butt heads over LGBTQ school bill

Walt Disney Co. is suspending its political donations in Florida after the company’s CEO received huge blowback for not using Disney’s vast influence in the state to try to quash a recently passed Republican bill that would prevent teachers from instructing early grades on LGBTQ issues.

President Biden to deliver State of the Union Address

President Joe Biden will vow to make Vladimir Putin pay a price for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in his first State of the Union address, rallying allies abroad while also outlining his plans at home to fight inflation and the fading but still dangerous coronavirus.