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Florida
10th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida lawmakers reconsider gun age law

Seven years after the Parkland school shooting, Florida lawmakers are revisiting a significant gun reform. House Bill 133 proposes lowering the age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18, reversing a law enacted in 2018 after the tragic event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 lives were lost. Political scientist Aubrey Jewett noted: “It was one of the first times that I was surprised by the Florida Legislature since conservative Republicans have taken over.” Although the bill has passed in the Florida House, it lacks a Senate counterpart, and Jewett suggests that the odds of it becoming law this session are "slightly against" due to mixed signals from Senate leadership. Previous attempts to change the age restriction have failed in recent years, and the current law has faced multiple constitutional challenges, all upheld by federal judges.

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STATE NEWS

New Florida legislation aims to reduce food waste

Senate Bill 1464 aims to address food waste in Florida schools while promoting student health and environmental sustainability. Sponsored by Ana Maria Rodriguez and Michele Rayner, the bill allows schools to partner with local food banks to recover edible food, reducing the estimated $5m wasted daily. The legislation also targets single-use plastics, which contribute to health issues and environmental pollution. By involving the Florida Department of Agriculture, SB 1464 seeks to create local jobs and strengthen the agricultural economy, proving that environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility can coexist.

NATIONAL NEWS

House Dems seek answers on Education Department’s civil rights backlog

Dozens of House Democrats have urged Education Secretary Linda McMahon to explain a growing backlog of civil rights complaints at the Department of Education, raising concerns that staff cuts have stalled investigations meant to protect students. Led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), 70 lawmakers sent a letter questioning how the Office of Civil Rights is handling tens of thousands of complaints after hundreds of attorneys and staff were laid off at the start of the Trump administration. The lawmakers cited reports that more than 22,000 complaints were filed in 2024 and that the office is now grappling with about 25,000 cases and 7,000 open investigations, with some staff rehired only temporarily. They claimed no racial harassment or discrimination investigations have been resolved since President Donald Trump took office, and are seeking information on the size and nature of the backlog, staffing levels and the standards being used to determine discrimination.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Schools tighten health protocols amid measles

In response to a recently reported measles case in Escambia County, local schools are implementing strict health protocols. Students with rashes will be sent home until cleared by a healthcare provider. Betty Hagans, the Health Services Coordinator for Escambia County Public Schools, said: "Students may return to school once they have been fever free for at least 24 hours." Although Santa Rosa County has not reported any measles cases, spokeswoman Katelyn Kent stressed the importance of following state health guidelines. The CDC reported at least 733 confirmed measles cases nationwide this year, with Florida accounting for over 30 cases. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, making vaccination crucial for protection.

DISTRICTS

Polk County approves new high school attendance boundaries

The Polk County School Board has approved new attendance boundaries for high schools, set to take effect in the 2026–27 school year. The changes aim to minimize disruption, allowing current students to remain at their existing schools. Families affected by boundary adjustments will receive notifications via email and letter. Parents can verify their zoned schools online and have the option to transfer their students to newly zoned schools if desired.

Schools face closure in Alachua

Alachua County Public Schools is considering closing several schools next year as part of its "Our Schools – Future Ready" initiative. Local firm JBPro has proposed boundary maps for elementary, middle, and high schools, which the School Board will vote on in March. The proposed changes aim to address under-enrollment and improve resource efficiency. Notably, Stephen Foster Elementary School, Duval Early Learning Center, and Williams Elementary School are among those suggested for closure. "The maps are part of the district's comprehensive planning effort to address both short- and long-term challenges," said project leaders. Community engagement sessions will be held throughout February to gather feedback before final decisions are made.

GOVERNANCE

Bostock aims for school board seat

Nancy Bostock, a former Pinellas County Commissioner, is campaigning for a seat on the Pinellas County School Board, having previously served from 1998 to 2008. She has garnered endorsements from current and former board members, including Dawn Peters and Carol Cook.Her campaign focuses on enhancing student outcomes, ensuring transparency for parents, and directing resources to classrooms. Bostock is currently president and chief executive of Chemical Standard Laboratory.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Students protest against ICE

Over 20 students from Tavares High School in Lake County have staged a protest against U.S. immigration enforcement along U.S. 441. This demonstration was part of a larger movement involving thousands of students nationwide, sparked by the recent fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. Lake County Schools acknowledged students' First Amendment rights but emphasized the importance of safety and instructional time, stating: "Leaving campus without authorization... creates serious safety and supervision concerns." The protest highlighted concerns over due process and the impact of immigration policies on families.

TECHNOLOGY

AI boosts student literacy skills

Seawind Elementary School in Hobe Sound is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance literacy among students. The program, known as School AI, is a chatbot that aids students in reading comprehension and writing. It teaches essential literary elements such as plot, setting, and characters. Local educators have integrated AI into their curriculum for about two years, utilizing nine different programs to support student learning. Kendra Remian, a third-grade teacher, noted that AI tools like Class Companion provide immediate feedback on assignments, helping students like Omar to improve their spelling and grammar. "It encourages me to double check my work," Omar said. Remian emphasized that while using AI presents a learning curve, it has proven beneficial in guiding students toward academic success.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Skanska kicks off school rebuild

Skanska, the Swedish construction firm, is set to begin the demolition and reconstruction of Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa this month. The $77m project aims to create a shared campus for Stewart and Just Elementary, featuring nearly 135,000 sq ft of educational space. The new campus will accommodate over 1,000 students at Stewart and about 530 at Just Elementary, with shared facilities like a cafeteria and media center. Skanska stated that the work is expected to be completed by early 2028. Hillsborough County Public Schools informed parents that the middle school is being transformed "into a state-of-the-art STEM school."

LEGAL

Social media giants face landmark trials

The world's largest social media companies, including Meta and YouTube, are facing significant legal challenges this year regarding their impact on children's mental health. Opening arguments in a landmark trial begin this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where claims suggest that these platforms intentionally design features that addict children and exacerbate mental health issues. Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, stated: "This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts... bringing Big Tech to court." The case centers on a 19-year-old, referred to as "KGM," whose experiences may influence numerous similar lawsuits. The outcome could reshape how these companies manage child users and may challenge their legal protections under the First Amendment and Section 230.

Union leaders face prison time

Two former leaders of Jacksonville's teachers union, Terrie Brady and Ruby George, are facing sentencing for defrauding the union of approximately $2.6m. Both women pleaded guilty to a scheme involving selling back more vacation time than they had earned. Prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison sentence for Brady, 70, while recommending a more lenient sentence for 82-year-old George. Brady's attorney, Hank Coxe, argued for probation and home detention, highlighting her dedication to teachers, stating, “It is not an overstatement to say that Terrie Brady devoted her life to the welfare of Duval County Public School teachers.”

HIGHER EDUCATION

FAMU student fights censorship

Aaliyah Steward, a final-year law student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), reported that administrators requested the removal or alteration of the word "Black" from promotional materials for a Black History Month event, describing it as censorship at a Historically Black College and University. "We couldn't use the word ‘Black' in Black History Month," Steward said. FAMU acknowledged the directive, stating it is in compliance with state law and the Florida Board of Governors' regulations. The university emphasized its commitment to free expression and academic inquiry, despite restrictions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Critics argue that such policies disproportionately affect HBCUs, which focus on Black history and culture. Students are pushing for transparency and plan to celebrate their history despite the challenges, with Steward stating, "That shouldn't be something we have to justify."

INTERNATIONAL

Inclusive education gains ground in Japan

Inclusive education in Japan is steadily expanding, with more students with disabilities studying alongside their peers as schools adapt facilities, teaching methods, and overseas programmes to meet “reasonable accommodation” requirements. The trend follows Japan’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a 2024 legal revision obliging private institutions to provide greater support. In secondary education, joint classes and shared activities between mainstream and special needs schools are increasing understanding of diversity and collaboration. Additionally, the number of students with disabilities in higher education has quadrupled over the past decade, underscoring Japan’s gradual shift away from segregated education toward more inclusive learning environments.
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