A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the state's restrictions on Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments are invalid and violate federal laws, striking down a health code rule and a new state law. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Florida, and the Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of four transgender people and the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Judge Hinkle said the laws violated federal laws on Medicaid, equal protection and the Affordable Care Act's prohibition of sex discrimination, and noted that the state had not provided any evidence that the treatments were medically unnecessary or posed a risk to the health of patients.
Posts tagged as “Equality Florida”
Deputy William Hollingsworth of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office in Pensacola, Florida, was caught on body camera video attempting to rescue a man caught up in floodwaters, only to be swept away himself. Despite the darkness and rushing water, Deputy Hollingsworth managed to call out to the driver and wade towards him, eventually leading to the driver's recovery. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons praised Deputy Hollingsworth for his heroic actions.
Former President Donald Trump is set to face trial in mid-August on 37 felony counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents. The trial is expected to be closely watched by the public, as it is the first criminal case to be brought against a former president. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has set the criminal jury trial to take place over a two-week period beginning Aug. 14, although the start date could be delayed by motions from Trump's legal team.
On Thursday, a tornado tore through the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton, killing three people and injuring dozens more. Emergency personnel from surrounding towns and cities and from neighboring Oklahoma have descended on the town to help with the aftermath, while the National Weather Service has issued a warning for the area. Perryton is now in the process of assessing the damage and beginning the long road to recovery, with emergency personnel urging people to stay away from affected areas and follow safety protocols.
Federal investigators have revealed that design flaws in the pool deck of the Surfside, Florida, apartment building, which collapsed in June 2021 killing 98 people, put the building at risk of failure before it was even built. The investigation is still ongoing, and the findings of the investigation will be released in the coming months. The National Institute for Standards and Technology is working with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to ensure similar tragedies do not occur in the future.
On Wednesday, the first bus of migrants from Texas arrived in Los Angeles, as part of an effort by Governor Greg Abbott to transfer migrants to Democratic-led cities. Nonprofit organizations met the bus to provide aid, but are concerned about the migrants being used as pawns in a political game. Governor Abbott has defended his decision, saying it is necessary to put pressure on the Biden administration, but critics argue it is a political stunt that does nothing to address the root causes of the crisis.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election. He is the only Hispanic candidate in the race and is running on a record of attracting tech businesses to Florida, reducing crime, and capturing the Hispanic vote. Suarez believes he can inspire people with his focus on climate change and his ability to appeal to moderates, and his candidacy is likely to add complexity to the already crowded field. His long-shot bid for the nomination could be a key player in the race.
Former President Donald Trump is facing federal charges for his handling of classified documents, described as "damning" and "devastating" by former Attorney General William Barr and former National Security Adviser John Bolton. The charges are the first of their kind for a former president and involve violations of the Espionage Act, false statements, and obstruction of justice. Republican lawmakers are finding novel ways to defend Trump, while the investigation into possible election interference in Georgia continues. This is a historic moment for the United States with a lasting impact on the political landscape, and the outcome of the charges against Trump remains to be seen.